have a whale of a time
Meaning: To enjoy oneself enormously.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The children had a whale of a time at the water park.”
Category: Animals
Origin: "A whale of a" meant a very large or fine example of something in American slang from the late 19th century, the whale standing for size.
Equivalents in other languages
- Spanish: pasarlo teta — literally: to pass it breast
More idioms — Animals
- use someone as a cat's paw — To get someone else to do one's dirty work.
- play cat and mouse — To toy with someone one has power over.
- keep someone on a short leash — To keep someone under close control.
- rein someone in — To bring someone under control.
- smell a rat — To sense that something dishonest is going on.
- have a bee in one's bonnet — To be obsessed with one idea.
More English idioms
- get off on the right foot — To make a good start.
- turn one's back on someone — To abandon or refuse to help someone.
- have plenty left in the tank — To still have energy or resources in reserve.
- willy-nilly — Whether one wants it or not; also, in a disorganized way.
- make oneself scarce — To leave quickly, or to keep out of the way.
- no holds barred — With no rules or restraints.