Definition

once upon a time: a long time ago, in ancient times (traditional start of children's stories) idiom
Once upon a time is often followed by the expression there lived:
Once upon a time, there lived a princess in a castle.

UK: Once upon a time, there lived a little family of cats.
US: Once upon a time, I used to enjoy cartoons.
  • "Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Europe, there lived a man who loved the smells of life."
  • "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a man who loved the smells of life."

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