Meaning & use
whale of a time
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UK/ˌweɪl əv ə ˈtaɪm/
US/ˌweɪl əv ə ˈtaɪm/
Meaning
phraseidiominformal
A very enjoyable experience, usually used after have or had.
Grammar: Used after have: have a whale of a time. It does not change form for number.
Patterns
- have a whale of a time
- have a whale of a time doing something
The kids had a whale of a time at the water park.
We had a whale of a time at your wedding.
Everyone seems to be having a whale of a time on the dance floor.
Common combinations
- have a whale of a time
- I hope you have a whale of a time on holiday.
- had a whale of a time
- They had a whale of a time at the festival.
- having a whale of a time
- She was having a whale of a time on the boat.
- a whale of a time at the beach
- We had a whale of a time at the beach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- a great time
- A great time is plain and works in any style, while whale of a time is more colorful and informal.
- a ball
- Have a ball is similar and informal, but is a fixed idiom of its own and a little more energetic in tone.
- a blast
- Have a blast is an American slang equivalent that sounds more youthful than whale of a time.
- fun
- Fun is the plain noun and is more general, without the playful, exaggerated feel of the idiom.
Opposites
a terrible time
Word family
- whale noun
- a very large sea mammal
- whaling noun
- the activity of hunting whales
- whaler noun
- a ship or person that hunts whales
Commonly confused: whale of a time or wail of a time?
whale of a time vs wail of a time
The idiom is whale, the sea animal, not wail, which means a loud cry.
Practice
The twins were laughing and splashing all afternoon; they clearly were having a ___.
Choose one answer.
Have a whale of a time is the idiom for enjoying yourself greatly. The other versions are not real expressions.
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