Idiom – To have a whale of a time

To have a whale of a time – Idiom of the day

Meaning:

To have an exceptionally fun, exciting, or amusing experience.

History:

Around the nineteenth century, an UK newspaper used the phrase ‘whaler of a fib’. From there, novels began using ‘whale on’ to describe characters who are enthusiastic.

Examples:

1. The dog is having a whale of a time playing with the ball.
2. We are going to have a whale of a time at the island this weekend.
3. The birthday party was amazing. We had a whale of a time there.
4. There was a reading of a story book, and I had a whale of a time there.
5. I had a whale of time in Spain.
6. It was a whale of a time when I went to Disney world last year.

Scenario 1:

Zena: Hey! How did you like the party?

Harry: It was amazing. I had a whale of a time!

Scenario 2:

Kiera: What did you think about the dinner last night?

Jinny: I don’t know, I didn’t have a whale of a time. Did you?