Once upon a time, a little bird flew high in the sky.
Meaning: This is a common phrase used to start a fairy tale or a story.
Choice of Words: Once is used to indicate that something happened in the past. Upon is a preposition that means on or above something. Time is a period of duration. When you put them together, "Once upon a time" is a phrase that sets the stage for a story and indicates that it happened long ago.
Alternative Expressions
Related Expressions
- Once upon a time, a tiny bird flew across the sky.
- Once upon a time, there was a magical bird.
- Once upon a time, a bird sang a sweet song.
- Once upon a time, a girl lived in a magical forest.
- Once upon a time, a friendly cat enjoyed cheese.
- Once upon a time, a rabbit lived in a hole.
- Once upon a time, a rabbit met a fox.
- Once upon a time, a cat and a mouse became friends.
- Once upon a time, there was a kind girl.
- Once upon a time, there was a magical kingdom.