Ambiguity of "just" in a context

Solution 1:

In this context, 'just' appears to mean 'only', which is by far the most common usage of the word in English today.

It can also mean:

  • very recently (often clarified by saying 'just now'), which was your ambiguous meaning
  • legally or morally correct (for example, in the phrase 'a just and wise decision')

In spoken English, you can often convey the intended meaning using emphasis: - when we mean 'very recently', we tend to put stress on the word 'just' - when we mean 'only', we tend to stress the verb after 'just'