once upon a time
once upon a time
A long time ago in the past. Used predominantly as a clichéd opening to fairy tales or stories for young children. Once upon a time, there lived a princess who was training to be a fearsome warrior. Even I was young once upon a time, if you can believe that.
See also: once, time, upon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
once upon a time
Cliché once in the past. (A formula used to begin a fairy tale.) Once upon a time, there were three bears. Once upon a time, I had a puppy of my own.
See also: once, time, upon
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
once upon a time
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.
See also: once, time, upon
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
once upon a time
1 at some time in the past (used as a conventional opening of a story). 2 formerly.See also: once, time, upon
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌonce upon a ˈtime
used, especially at the beginning of children’s stories, to mean ‘a long time in the past’: Once upon a time in a faraway land there lived a princess in a big castle.See also: once, time, upon
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- (it's) (a)bout time
- about time
- about time too
- a year and a day
- any time
- anytime
- a week from next Tuesday
- any time means no time
- any old time
- (it's) time to go