Do you need to step aware from your current task to handle a short side quest? Maybe you have a phone call and want to take it in privacy. If so, then stepping away for a while is a great way to explain your situation. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase for a while indicates a general time period. In most cases, it means a rather short period of time from start to finish. When someone says they need to go away for a while, they mean they need a little bit of time to get something done. It also means that they will be gone for a time, but have no specific amount of time to provide. It can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours or more depending on the situation.
Though for a while typically denotes a short time period, there are instances in which the phrase has a more open-ended meaning. For example, if someone says they need to go away to heal for a while, it may mean an extended time period. It can also mean that someone needs a short break, or that someone may need an extended break away from a person or situation.
Example Usage
“I would be happy to sit with you for a while until the bus comes, after all, it’s rather late”.
“Losing your job is hard, especially with a baby on the way. We would love for you to stay with us for a while until you get settled”.
“The feeling of elation remained with the team for a while following their Title win”.
“Did you know that our neighbors lived in Japan for a while? Their kids even picked up some of the languages”.
Origin
The phrase “for a while” has been around for quite some time. The word “awhile” can actually be traced back to the Middle English word – ānehwīl. The original form of the word is said to have been created well ahead of 1000 BCE. The word means a specific amount of time that was spent in a place or on an activity. Over time, it became common to separate “awhile” into two words, a while. That later morphed into the phrase for a while which is the most common usage of the phrase in print.
When used as a verb, while means time will pass, as opposed to time has passed. For a while specifically has been used since the early 1630s and has roots in the Germanic phrase weilen. The Germanic form of the word means to stay or to linger. Wile, on the other hand, means time is passing pleasantly, which is another form of the phrase for a while.
Phrases Similar to For a While
- A little bit
- Briefly
- A short time
- Temporarily
- A few minutes
Phrases Opposite to For a While
- Eventually
- A bit later
- In a like manner
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper way to say the phrase is – a short while.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say For a While
Often people will mistake awhile which is an adverb, for the phrase “a while, or for a while” which is a noun phrase. They sound and are spelled similarly, however their meanings as slightly different. A while, for a while, a little while all denounce a period of time to come. Awhile on the other hand means a short period of time that has already passed.
Ways People May Correctly Say For a While
Some ways that for a while is used correctly are:
- When you do the same thing for a while, the animals start to learn your habits and trust you.
- My father and I will sit and talk for a while before going on our evening sabbatical.
- It is always nice to sit together for a while before jumping into more serious topics or speaking about work.