One handle opened by one crank before long (2,1,6)
I believe the answer is:
in a minute
'before long' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adverbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'one handle opened by one crank' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'handle' becomes 'name' (handle can mean a name or nickname).
'opened by' is an insertion indicator (some letters open a gap in others).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'crank' becomes 'nut' (synonyms).
'i'+'nut'='inut'
'name' enclosing 'inut' is 'naminute'.
'i'+'naminute'='IN A MINUTE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for in a minute that I've seen is " Inuit name for just a mo, be right with you".)