have a whale of a time

Compare whale (“something or someone excellent”); thus, not just any good time but rather a great time.

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have a whale of a time (third-person singular simple present has a whale of a time, present participle having a whale of a time, simple past and past participle had a whale of a time)

1. (idiomatic) To enjoy oneself greatly: to have a very good time.

   Synonym: have a ball

   Hypernym: have a good time

   We had a whale of a time at the party Saturday night.