What's the difference between "for a bit" and "for a second"
Are they the same? interchangeable?
come with me for a bit
Can I borrow your phone for a second

Question

Answer

IMHO, 'for a bit' is for longer than 'for a second'.

They both mean 'for a short amount of time, unspecified', but when you say: 'I'm going away for a bit' - it may mean a few weeks or even months. While 'for a second' means really not longer than a few minutes.
'For a bit' is, imho, like 'for a while'.

I'm curious what other people think.

Jo.

Answer

For a bit means a short period, perhaps a few hours in this case. For a second means a very short period, perhaps long enough to make a very quick call, in this case.