Today , we go back into the ocean to explore expressions involving other sea creatures . Okay , first of all , the ocean is a big place . And a single drop of water in the ocean is nearly nothing . So , when we say something is like a drop in the ocean , we mean it is a very small amount compared to what is needed . Let's say a high school needs $80,000 to build a new computer laboratory for its students . The school organizes a bake sale – an event held for the purpose of raising money . But on the day of the bake sale , it rains . No one comes because of the weather . By the end of the day , the high school raises only $100 . If $80,000 is the goal , $100 is a drop in the ocean . Here in the U.S ., you may also hear the expression drop in the bucket . But a drop in the ocean is much more dramatic . Another marine animal is the octopus . These eight-tentacle creatures are full of surprises ! Sadly , in spoken English , they do not have a good reputation . In fact , the word “octopus ” has at least two not-so-good meanings . An octopus can be a powerful and influential organization with its tentacles reaching far and wide , usually with harmful effects . For example , a multinational corporation that only wants to make money has its tentacles in everything from food production to energy resources . Also , when a man cannot keep his hands off a woman , we say he is an octopus or has octopus hands . To use this expression , it is important that the woman does not want the attention of the “octopus ." Now , we move on to another unusual sea creature – the eel . Eels are long and look like snakes . Like octopuses , some people like to eat them . But they are difficult to catch because they are slippery . And that brings us to another expression . If someone is slippery as an eel , they are tricky and difficult to catch . We often use this expression as a warning to others . For example , "Watch out for her . She's as slippery as an eel ." Like many terms that compare two things , you can use the first "as " or leave it out . So , it's fine to say "She is slippery as an eel ." We would like to end our program today on a happy note . So , here are two positive expressions that come from ocean animals . This next one sounds very strange . It involves oysters . Some people consider oysters a delicacy – a rare food that you only eat once in a while . Oysters are great for another reason . They make pearls ! So , oysters are rare indeed . And that brings us to our next expression . When we say "The world is your oyster !" we mean that you are able to make the most out of life . You take every chance given to you and put it to good use . Language experts say this is one of the many expressions created by the English writer William Shakespeare . He used it in his play The Merry Wives of Windsor . However , some people use this expression a little differently . It can also mean that you have every chance or opportunity you could possibly want . You have money , skills , ability and freedom to do exactly what you want . Where oysters are small and strange looking , whales are huge and majestic . Whales are some of the largest mammals on Earth . And unlike octopuses and eels , whales have a very good reputation . In fact , if something is a whale of a … thing , it is a very good thing . If you performed very well at work , your boss could say you did a whale of a job . "A whale of " something can also mean it's very big . For example , if you have a really big project to do , you could say you have a whale of a project . Americans also use the expression “to have a whale of a time .” This simply means to have a really good time . You might hear or read this expression , but we have other ways to say it . For example , if someone asks me how a party was , I could say , “It was a blast !” or “I had an awesome time !” After all , when you do something you love as a career , the world is your oyster !