once upon a time

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.

Related Words

• already 
• before 
• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• formerly 
• late 
• previously