whale of a time

Idioms  

1. A very enjoyable experience, as in We had a whale of a time in Puerto Rico. This idiom alludes to the largest mammal to describe something very large and impressive. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

He explains why it was actually a whale of a time.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2024

Irrefutably male Craig and Trevor prowl the streets of a very soundstagey New York, mansplaining their magnificence, and Sharp and Jackson have a whale of a time butching it up.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2023

"It's been a whale of a time, but it's also been difficult as well... because of all the cases and worrying about family members," she said.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2021

It was stressful for everyone involved getting ready but it was so well worth it - Mum looked like she had a whale of a time.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2015

Little they cared how wet I got, because then Mother could have a whale of a time being afraid I was taking pneumonia.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner