in a while
Not right now
In a while means after some time passes—not immediately, but not too far off either.
The duration is vague and context-dependent: I'll call you back in a while might mean ten minutes or several hours.
It's softer than "soon" but implies the wait won't be excessive.
Often appears in farewells: See you in a while.
- soonIn brief time
- any minute nowOn the verge of occurring
- laterAt a subsequent time
- in due timeWhen properly ready
- down the roadAt a future point
shortly · afterward · just a moment · waiting · pause · delay · patience · bide your time · sometime · linger · meanwhile · passing · stretch · long time · bit · spell · tick · moment
temporal immediacy
in a whileimmediately
Without any pause
right now · instantly · at once · right away · straightaway