a while back

a while back

At some point in the past. I bought this dress a while back but have never had a chance to wear it.
See also: back, while
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a while back

Also, a while ago. Some time in the past, as in I ran into Barbara a while back but didn't get her new address, or John wrote me a while ago about his new baby. This term uses a while in the sense of "a short or moderate time," a usage dating from about 1300.
See also: back, while
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • ago
  • (in) back of (something)
  • back of
  • back of something
  • back o' Bourke
  • come back and see us
  • back to front
  • come back and see me
  • be/go back to square one
  • back to square one