be long

be/take/long always in negatives or questions phrase

used for saying or asking whether you will have to wait a long time for someone or something to be ready, arrive, or happen

Will you be long, or shall I wait?

I’m just going to the shops – I won’t be long.

Dinner won’t be long now.

Thesaurus: passing of time_synonym

Main entry: long

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take a long time to happen or arrive

it won't be long before you're hooked | sit down, tea won't be long

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be long

— used to ask how much time will be required or to say that something will take only a short amount of time or will happen soon

“Will you be long?” “No, I'll be ready soon.”

I'm going out now, but I won't be long. [=I will return soon]

“Have you finished yet?” “No, but I won't be long.” [=I will finish soon]

“Will you be much longer?” “No, I'm almost ready.”

We've been waiting since morning, but it won't be long now. [=what we have been waiting for will happen/come soon]

It can't be much longer before they give up. [=they will probably give up soon]

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Main Entry: ↑long