Reprimands where blood-suckers should be? (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
ticks off
'reprimands' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't understand how they can define each other.
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ticks off that I've seen before include "Checks - upbraids" , "may be seconds away" , "Carpets" .)