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time was when

AmE ['taim w^z 'wen] = /ˈtaɪm wʌz ˈwen/
BrE ['taim woz 'wen] = /ˈtaɪm wɒz ˈwen/
  1. Time was when” is an informal way of saying “There was a time when”.
    Time was when my wife loved me passionately. Now she doesn’t even cook for me.
    Time was when I could solve seven math problems in one day. Now I can’t even add up numbers.
    Time was when I had a lot of admirers following me about wherever I went. Nowadays I choose to stay home for fear of being lynched.