они должны были

they were supposed to

→ они
phrase Rare #30,421
they were supposed to Used for something they were expected or required to do in the past.
RU: Они должны были прийти раньше.
EN: They were supposed to come earlier.

Они должны были приехать вчера.

They were supposed to arrive yesterday.

Женщина, которой они должны были позвонить, ушла.

The woman they were supposed to call has left.

Какие они должны были дать показания?

What testimony were they supposed to give?

— Несколько хороших парней (1992)

Они должны были прибыть сегодня.

They were supposed to arrive today.

— На Западном фронте без перемен (2022)