Crossword Genius

Once was to be sued unexpectedly (4,2,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

used to be

'once was' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'to be sued unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to'+'be'+'sued'='tobesued'
'tobesued' with letters rearranged gives 'USED TO BE'.

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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