while ago
while ago {adv.}
At a time several minutes in the past; a few minutes ago; a short time ago. — Used with "a".
I laid my glasses on this table a while ago; and now they're gone.
A while ago, Mary was tired and wanted to go home; now she's dancing with Bob as if she could dance all night.
Compare: JUST NOW (2).
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms