1 C1 idiomatic slang
To hit someone or something repeatedly and with great force.
"The older kid was whaling on his little brother when their mother walked in."
inseparable
whale on
C1 slang inseparable transitive
To hit someone or something repeatedly and hard; or to criticize someone harshly and continuously.
In plain English
To keep hitting someone very hard, or to keep criticizing someone over and over again.
What does "whale on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To criticize or verbally attack someone repeatedly and harshly.
"The commentators have been whaling on the new coach ever since the team lost four games in a row."
inseparable
Usage tip
Chiefly American slang. Primarily used in the physical sense for hitting or beating, but extends to verbal attacks and criticism. Vivid and emphatic; not used in formal writing.
Words that pair with "whale on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
opponent bully critics target drums
How to conjugate "whale on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
whale on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
whales on
he/she/it
Past simple
whaled on
yesterday
Past participle
whaled on
have + pp
-ing form
whaling on
continuous
Hear "whale on" in the wild
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