english
1
general::
Formerly, in the past, as in Time was, the city streets were perfectly safe at night. [Mid-1500s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): time was (when) there was a time when; at a time in the past. • Time was when old people were taken care of at home. • Time was when people didn’t travel around so much.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs