In a minute means very soon, “just wait a little”. It isn't exactly sixty seconds: I'll be there in a minute. People say it when they ask someone to wait for a short time.
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in a minute (= very soon); I'll + verb + in a minute; wait a minute / just a minute
- Start without me, I'll join the meeting in a minute.
- — Dinner's ready! — Coming, I'll be there in a minute.
- Hold on, the printer will be ready in a minute.
What changed
First versionWait, I'll call you back after a minute.
RevisionWait, I'll call you back in a minute.
To say how long from now until something happens, English uses in: in a minute, in two weeks. After a minute tells you what happened a minute later and usually appears in a story about the past: After a minute, the bus arrived.
Wait a minute and just a minute ask someone to wait right now. Wait a minute can also express sudden suspicion or disagreement: Wait a minute, that's not my bag!
Your turn
Don't hang up! I'll check the dates and tell you ___.
Show the answer
in a minute — The speaker promises to answer very soon, counting from now, so it's in a minute. After a minute describes what happened a minute later; it doesn't make a promise.
Write a reply to a colleague who's asking you to join a call. Say you'll join in a minute and explain what you're finishing right now.
Sorry, I'm just sending an email to a client, I'll join the call in a minute.
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