whale away

Idioms  

1. Attack physically or verbally, as in Our boys whaled away at the enemy, or The talk-show host whaled away at the hostile critics. The word whale here does not allude to the ocean mammal, but means “flog” or “thrash.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

One of the few that can be described in a family newspaper involves a simple premise: Strap on an athletic cup and let some person or thing whale away.

From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2022

If kids in the richest, whitest part of the Twin Cities were invited to whale away at a surplus cashier’s scanner, or most anything else, there would be plenty of takers.

From Washington Post • May 29, 2020

He continued to whale away from there, also driving the green at the par-4 14th.

From Golf Digest • Jan. 8, 2018

"Time!" calls a handler, and Liston begins to whale away in earnest at his sparring partners.

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile the men were busily preparing to tow the whale away out to sea in the powerful motor boat.

From Frank and Andy Afloat The Cave on the Island by Barnum, Vance