the lion's share

the lion's share

The largest part or portion of something. The lion's share of the credit must go to our development team, who have worked tirelessly to bring this product to market before the holiday season. Even though we're all talented, it's always our youngest brother who gets the lion's share of our parents' praise and attention.
See also: share
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lion's share of something

Fig. the largest portion of something. I earn a lot, but the lion's share goes for taxes. The lion's share of the surplus cheese goes to school cafeterias.
See also: of, share
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

lion's share

The greater part or most of something, as in Whenever they won a doubles match, Ethel claimed the lion's share of the credit, or As usual, Uncle Bob took the lion's share of the cake. This expression alludes to Aesop's fable about a lion, who got all of a kill because its fellow hunters, an ass, fox, and wolf, were afraid to claim their share. [Late 1700s]
See also: share
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the lion's share

COMMON If you get the lion's share of something, you get the largest part of it. Their athletes won the lion's share of the medals. While Gladys was given the lion's share of their mother's attention, Mary and her two younger brothers enjoyed their freedom. Note: This refers to Aesop's fable `The Lion and his Fellow Hunters', in which a lion goes hunting with several other animals and takes everything that they catch for himself, instead of sharing it with them.
See also: share
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the lion's share

the largest part of something.
1998 Times Rich countries generally seize the lion's share of trade.
See also: share
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˈlion’s share (of something)

(British English) the largest part of something that is being shared: The lion’s share of the awards have gone to American stars again.This idiom comes from one of Aesop’s fables. The lion is helped by other animals to kill a stag, but then refuses to share it with them.
See also: share
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lion’s share

n. the largest portion. I earn a lot, but the lion’s share goes for taxes.
See also: share
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

lion's share

The greatest or best part.
See also: share
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

lion's share, the

The greater part of something. This term comes from one of Aesop’s fables, in which the lion got not just the largest part of the kill acquired in hunting with an ass, fox, and wolf, but all of it, since the others were afraid to claim their share.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • lion’s share
  • lion's share
  • lion's share of
  • lion's share, the
  • bring (someone or something) all together
  • bring all together
  • a Benjamin's portion
  • Benjamin's mess
  • Benjamin's portion
  • portion
References in periodicals archive
class="MsoNormalMr Jean-Sebastien Decaux, the CEO of JCDecaux said the Lion's Share global initiative underlines their commitment to preserve and protect biodiversity across the world and the campaign is an opportunity to contribute towards the United Nations' Sustainable Goals.
Firms using animals in ads to donate to wildlife charities: UN
Imports had the lion's share with Dh44.6 billion, followed by exports with Dh12.6 billion and re-exports of Dh12.9 billion.
Dubai external food trade crosses Dh70 billion in 2017
“The Scholarship is so that we can not only ensure our industry's future, but help mold it by teaching and coaching with the successful methods we use today,” says Claire Drage, CEO of the Lion's Share Group.
The Lion's Share Group Announces Scholarship Fund
The council has always been reticent over how much the area's taxpayers will benefit from the deal but there is a growing concern that it is the taxpayers who will be paying the lion's share. If Tesco was being particularly benevolent then surely the figure - or certainly a percentage of the costs - would be revealed by now.
What will Tesco pay? Comment The policy of honesty. The might of right. The expediency of principle
What's more, the Lion's Share scheme is available to all, as there is no strict criteria to meet."
Enjoying the lion's share at Lincombes
They all pretend to represent Britain but the lion's share of each programme consists of English information with very little mention to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
BBC's anglicising us; YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES
Summary: BEIRUT: Debt and Debt Markets, a quarterly bulletin released by the Lebanese Finance Ministry, revealed that up until the end of March 2010 commercial banks remained the major holder of local currency T-Bill subscriptions, while the lion's share of foreign currency debt continued to be in the form of market-issued Eurobonds.
Commercial banks still major holders of T-Bills
Evolution noted that Modelo is a desirable acquisition, given its large share of the Mexican market (Modelo has 58% of the Mexican market and the lion's share of Mexican exports, and FEMSA has 42%)
Analysts say ABI will push to buy Modelo
Summary: Britain will contribute the lion's share of a Au6.5bn package to speed up the response to global warming in the poorest countries.
Britain leads way in global warming deal
Under a 1929 agreement, heavyweight Egypt has the right to veto projects upstream on the Nile that would affect its water share of 55.5 billion cubic meters a year, the lion's share of the river's total flow of around 84 billion cubic meters.
Egyptian Nile rights
President-elect Obama earlier said he supports a cap on farm subsidies of $250,000 and the closing of loopholes that allow large farmers to collect the lion's share of federal farm subsidies.
Farmers oppose limited program payments
WORCESTER came from behind to grab a draw away to Newcastle after the Falcons had enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but failed to make it count.
Rugby Union: WARRIORS' FIGHT; All the big-match action GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP Newcastle 16 Worcester 16
Witter, as champion, would be entitled to a 70% share of any contest but he said: "I am so keen to make this fight I would accept 30% and let Hatton have the lion's share."
Boxing: IN BRIEF - Witter keen for Hitman clash
It's hard to nail down statistics for unpaid parish volunteers, but there is little doubt that the lion's share of the work is being done by women.
A woman's place? The problem of gender equality in the church is not going to just solve itself
Cabinetry and labor costs claim the lion's share of a kitchen design budget because of the high demand for scarce woods such as maple.
Kitchen aid: Antoinette Fraser prepares essentials for a designer kitchen