It means a short while or soon.

Then in a short while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast.

不一会儿,保罗听到他回来了,但他没有很快过来。

中考真题- 2016 南宁 阅读C

In a short while, the cat ate up the fish.

不久，那只猫便将鱼吃个精光。

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Would you like to get away from the noisy city for a short while?

你想不想暂时离开这个喧嚣的城市？

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We will be talking about this in a short while.

那是后话，过一会儿再说。

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After a short while, he added that he would try his best.

过了一会儿，他又接着说他会尽力。

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I need to need a short while alone.

我需要单独待一会。

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He was here for a short while last week.

他上周在这儿呆了一小会儿。

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I stayed for a short while.

我待了短短一会儿。

《汉英大词典》

They just get led out for a short while.

贝特西：只牵它们出去短暂地遛一会儿。

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After a short while, he became weaker and weaker.

又过了一会儿，他越来越没有力气了。

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Let me play for a short while.

让我玩一下吧。

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Excuse me. I'll be back in a short while.

对不起，我一会就回来。

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Well, I just took up writing a short while ago.

这，我前不久才刚开始写作。

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He was away for a short while and soon came back.

他出去不大工夫就回来了。

《汉英大词典》

I tried to hold off at first, I played it cool for a short while ．

一开始我试着拖延,我冷静了一会儿。

高考真题- 2016 浙江 阅读D

A short while Later, I had a thought.

没过多久，我突然想到

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A short while," lifting of alarm" ring: whistle-extended, we patted the dust on the rise, come to return to the city.

不一会，“解除警报”响了：汽笛拉长音，大家就起身拍拍尘土，络绎不绝地返回市里。

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After a short while, an awfully1 hungry man walked over, with his head covered by his sleeve and his shoes tied up with strings2.

不一会儿，一个饿得发慌的人，用衣袖蒙着头，用绳子绑着鞋，昏昏沉沉地走了过来。

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They talked for a short while and then went home together.

他们谈了一会儿，以后一同回家。

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He went back for his coat a short while ago.

刚才他回去拿他的上衣了。

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