Example: The repair will take an hour; in the meantime, wait here.
Definition
"In the meantime" is an expression used to indicate the period between two events or actions, suggesting what should be done or what happens during that interval. For example, it can mean waiting or performing another task while something else is being prepared or fixed.
The phrase "in the meantime" originates from the Middle English period, combining "mean" (from Old English 'mǣnan', meaning 'to mean or intend') and "time" (from Old English 'tīma', meaning a measured or proper time). It literally refers to the time that is intermediate or in between two points, and has been used in English since at least the 14th century.
Learn to use this expression actively
"In the meantime" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (A1) - set 1", containing 104 commonly used expressions.
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