Tic-tac

A term primarily associated with the game 'Tic-Tac-Toe', also known as 'noughts and crosses'. tic-tac is used to denote a game played between two players who alternately place an 'X' or an 'O' in the spaces of a 3x3 grid. The objective is to be the first to place three of one's marks in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The term can be used more broadly to imply a simple, easily understood, and somewhat predictable process, or a pattern of sequential actions. In modern usage it has taken on connotations related to a type of small, hard-shelled breath mint.

Tic-tac meaning with examples

• The children were bored, so they drew a tic-tac board on a napkin and started a game. Little did they know that the simple rules of tic-tac could be filled with suspense. It was a game of patience and strategy; their rivalry was settled through friendly competition, though they eventually realized it would always end in a draw.
• The project followed a basic tic-tac structure: plan, implement, and evaluate. This simple, predictable approach helped keep the team organized and focused on achieving the core objectives. While not the most complex, it was sufficient for delivering the solution. The team realized the value of a clear strategy, and the process ensured they would achieve a positive result.
• Before the important presentation, Sarah popped a tic-tac to freshen her breath and calm her nerves. She knew the familiar taste and quick dissolving action of the mint would help her feel more confident. The small, portable container and the ease of getting a mint made her feel more prepared for the talk.
• The program's logic followed a tic-tac pattern, making it easy to trace the flow of events and identify potential bugs. Each step built upon the last, and the structure simplified debugging. By using simple logic, complex features could be integrated. This sequential approach was vital to the program's functionality, and provided the basis for its many operations.