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whale
like a beached whale
1. Completely stuck and unable to move or escape from the situation. Said especially of large objects or vehicles. Our van's wheels sunk in the mud, and we've been stuck here like a beached whale for over an hour!
2. potentially offensive Of a person, exceptionally large or obese. I love going to the beach, but I'm going to look like a beached whale in this swimsuit.
a beached whale
potentially offensive An extremely large or obese person. I really need to start exercising again. I've turned into a beached whale!
a whale of a (good) time
An exceptionally fun, exciting, or amusing experience. (Usually used in the phrase, "have a whale of a (good) time.") Gee, Samantha, I sure had a whale of a time at the dance with you last night. We should go out again sometime! Come out to our party this weekend, it's sure to be a whale of a good time!
whale tail
slang The waistband of a thong or G-string when it becomes visible above the waistline of the wearer's pants or skirt. I really don't like wearing thongs, because I'm always paranoid that I'll end up having a whale tail on display.
every eel hopes to become a whale
A phrase highlighting one's ambition. Just like every eel hopes to become a whale, I dream of becoming the CEO one day.
throw a tub to the whale
To create a diversion, in order to avoid a dangerous or unpleasant situation. No one can know that I'm here, so throw a tub to the whale while I sneak out the back door!
a whale of a
1. An exceptionally great or excellent. I had a whale of a time at Pete's wedding—I danced all night long!
2. An exceptionally large. Remodeling the kitchen will make a whale of a difference in the selling price of the home.
have a whale of a time
Fig. to have an exciting or fun time; to have a big time. (Whale is a way of saying big.) We had a whale of a time at Sally's birthday party. Enjoy your vacation! I hope you have a whale of a time.
whale into (someone or an animal)
Fig. to attack or punish someone or an animal. Jimmy's dad really whaled into him. The sailor whaled into the dog.
whale the tar out of someone
Inf. to spank or beat someone. (See also beat the living daylights out of someone.) My father threatened to whale the tar out of me. I'll whale the tar out of you when we get home if you don't settle down.
a whale of a something
(spoken) 1. an unusually good something Perry's done a whale of a job for us. We had a whale of a time, and we were sorry when we had to leave.
2. an unusually large something There's a whale of a difference between being a partner in a law firm and just being another lawyer.
a whale of a [bill/difference/problem etc.]
(American & Australian) a very large bill, difference, problem etc. Another thousand dollars would make a whale of a difference. We ran up a whale of a bill in the restaurant.
a whale of a [job/party/story etc.]
(American & Australian) a very good job, party, story etc. They've done a whale of a job renovating the building.
have a whale of a time
to enjoy yourself very much 'Did Sam enjoy himself at the party?' 'He had a whale of a time.'
whale away
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]
whale of a time
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]
whale into
v. To strike or attack something or someone forcefully: The batter whaled into the baseball. The politician whaled into the press for their inaccurate reporting.
whale on
v.1. To strike or hit someone or something repeatedly and forcefully; thrash someone or something: The street gangs whaled on each other until someone called the police.
2. To criticize someone vehemently: Our boss whaled on all of us for missing the deadline.
(as) fat as a beached whale
phr. very, very fat. That dame is as fat as a beached whale.
fat as a beached whale
verbhave a whale of a time
tv. to have an exciting time; to have a big time. We had a whale of a time at your party.
whale
1. n. a very fat person. (Cruel.) Britney is getting to be such a whale.
2. n. a drunkard; a person with an enormous capacity for liquor. Arthur is getting to be a regular whale. What does he drink?
3. n. a high roller in a casino or similar gambling setting. We take good care of our whales, comping them with anything they ask for.
whale into someone/something
in. to attack someone or something. Jimmy’s dad really whaled into him.
whale on
mod. excellent. (Possibly confused with or in error for wailing.) We had a whale on time at Bob’s house.
whale the tar out of someone
tv. to spank or beat someone. (Sometimes said to a child.) My father threatened to whale the tar out of me.
Common Names:
| Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
|---|
| Renato | | re-NAH-to (Italian, Spanish) | Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian |
| Archer | | ['a:tʃə] | |
| Albin | | AHL-been (Polish) | Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, French, English, Slovene |
| Uffe | | - | Danish |
| Zevadyah | | - | Biblical Hebrew |
| Cristiana | | kree-STYAH-nah (Italian) | Italian, Portuguese |