BRB stands for be right back, meaning I'll be back in a moment. People write it in a chat or an online game when they step away briefly and plan to continue the same conversation. With friends, and in a work messenger with colleagues you're close to, it's perfectly normal.
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brb; brb, + reason (brb, door); brb + time (brb 5 min); back / I'm back when you return
- brb, the delivery guy is at the door, don't start the film without me.
- Pause the game for a sec, brb, grabbing a snack.
- brb 5 min, my phone's on 2% and I need to find the charger.
What changed
First versionSorry, Dr Evans, brb, someone is at the door.
RevisionSorry, Dr Evans, I'll be right back, someone is at the door.
The chat in an online class with a teacher isn't a conversation between friends, and the abbreviation looks careless there. It has been replaced with the full phrase I'll be right back: the same meaning, but polite.
BRB promises that you'll return to the same conversation in a couple of minutes. If you're leaving for good, write gtg (got to go): gtg, my bus is here, talk tomorrow. Abbreviations like these have no place in an IELTS essay, and out loud people usually say the full phrase: I'll be right back or Back in a minute.
Your turn
We're choosing a hotel together in the chat when the courier rings the doorbell, so I type: ___, don't go anywhere!
Show the answer
brb — You're going to the door for a minute and asking the other person to wait: the conversation will continue, so brb fits. Gtg means I have to go and ends the conversation, so it clashes with the request don't go anywhere.
You're texting a friend and need to step away for a moment. Write a message with brb: give the reason and say in how many minutes you'll be back.
brb, my neighbour is knocking, back in 5 min.
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