once upon a time

Idioms  

1. On some past occasion, as in I may have sung this piece once upon a time, but I don't really remember it. This phrase, first recorded in 1595, is frequently used as the opening line of fairy tales and stories told to children, as in Once upon a time there was a king who had three beautiful daughters.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

once upon a time

“What kept them once upon a time, and still does, was/is sheer breadth, i.e. ‘always having something to watch.’

From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026

When she finds out what Margo’s doing, her internalized shame at having worked at Hooters once upon a time resurfaces.

From Salon ● May 4, 2026

The author drops us into an Eden of wonder, where once upon a time we first cracked the codes of Dr. Seuss and “Goodnight Moon.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

And its story begins once upon a time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 21, 2026

Were Mum and Dad like this, once upon a time?

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

• already
• before
• earlier
• formerly
• late
• previously