1 C1 idiomatic slang
To hit a person or object repeatedly and with significant force.
"The older boys were waling on a younger student when the teacher arrived."
inseparable
wale on
C1 slang inseparable transitive
To hit someone or something repeatedly and with great force.
In plain English
To keep beating or hitting someone or something very hard.
What does "wale on" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Wale' relates to a mark or stripe from a blow; 'on' indicates the target.
Actually means
To keep beating or hitting someone or something very hard.
Usage tip
Primarily American slang. 'Wale on', 'whale on', and 'wail on' are all variant spellings of the same expression. The etymology likely derives from 'wale' meaning a ridge or mark left by a blow. Used in informal spoken English and informal writing.
Words that pair with "wale on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
someone opponent punching bag drums person
How to conjugate "wale on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wale on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wales on
he/she/it
Past simple
waled on
yesterday
Past participle
waled on
have + pp
-ing form
waling on
continuous
Hear "wale on" in the wild
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Other ways to say "wale on"
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