upon

once upon a time (literary)

1. a long time ago. Once upon a time there lived a young girl called Cinderella.

2. if you say that something happened once upon a time, you mean that it happened in the past and you wish that it still happened now. Once upon a time, everyone knew each other in this town and nobody bothered locking their doors.

See also: once, time

throw yourself on/upon someone's mercy

to ask someone to help you or to forgive you when you are in a difficult situation. If all else fails, I might throw myself on Sandra's mercy and see if she'll drive me there.

See also: mercy, throw

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come upon someone/something

to find or meet someone or something, esp. unexpectedly. We came upon a farmer setting a fire to clear off dead grass from the pasture.

See also: come

look upon someone/something as something

to consider someone or something in a particular way. Although she was actually not related to us, we all looked upon her as an aunt. I look upon education as an investment in the future.

Usage notes: often used in the form looked upon as: He was looked upon as an upper-class snob.

See also: look

once upon a time

long ago. I had worked for some big companies once upon a time, but later I was self-employed.

Usage notes: often used to begin a children's story: Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there lived a beautiful princess.

Etymology: based on the use of once upon a time with the same meaning to begin a child's story

See also: once, time

set upon someone/something

to attack someone or something. I saw an old man set upon by muggers in an alley. Demonstrators wearing ski masks set upon a stopped police car.

See also: set

take it upon yourself/itself to do something

to accept a responsibility without being asked to. He took it upon himself to personally thank each person who came to the memorial service. The Transit Authority has taken it upon itself to be the spokesman for its riders. Is there a reason why some countries should take upon themselves the role of international policeman?

See also: take