3long noun
Meaning:
before long
: in a short amount of time : soon
▪ They said they would be finished before long. ▪ Before long the light rain had turned into a heavy downpour. ▪ We expect them to arrive before long. [=before much longer]
▪ They said they would be finished before long. ▪ Before long the light rain had turned into a heavy downpour. ▪ We expect them to arrive before long. [=before much longer]
for long
: for many years, days, hours, etc. : for a long time
▪ I haven't known him for long. ▪ Her life did not remain peaceful for long. ▪ He won't be away for (very) long. [=for (very) much longer] ▪ He didn't work here for long. ▪ She's been away for so long. [=for such a long time]
▪ I haven't known him for long. ▪ Her life did not remain peaceful for long. ▪ He won't be away for (very) long. [=for (very) much longer] ▪ He didn't work here for long. ▪ She's been away for so long. [=for such a long time]
the long and (the) short of it
— used when making a statement that is brief and that tells someone only the most important parts of something ▪ I could give you a lot of reasons for my decision, but the long and short of it is that I just don't want to go.
