the better part of (something)

more than half of something.

We waited for the better part of an hour, then called again.

Usage notes: usually used with periods of time, as in the example

• because of
• because of something
• be centre stage
• be chalk and cheese
• be champing at the bit
• be chasing tail
• be chasing your tail
• be chief cook and bottle washer
• be child's play
• be chilled to the bone
• be chilled to the marrow
• be chomping at the bit
• be climbing the walls
• be close to home
• be close to the bone
• be close to the mark
• be coining it
• be cold comfort
• be cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey
• be coming apart at the seams
• be comme il faut
• be compos mentis
• be conspicuous by absence
• be conspicuous by your absence
• be cooked to a turn