lion's share

noun

1. the largest part or share, especially a disproportionate portion:

   The eldest son received the lion's share of the estate.

lion's share

1. A disproportionately large segment of the whole: “Though we always divided our winnings, somehow Barton always seemed to end up with the lion's share.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lion's share¹

First recorded in 1780–90; probably after Aesop's fable in which the lion claimed all the spoils of a hunt

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Catnachs advanced position, which was now far beyond all his compeers, caused him to get the lions share.

From Project Gutenberg

A few men who were stationed at or near Balaclava got the lions share.

From Project Gutenberg

That is one thing that made Link soreJasniff taking the lions share.

From Project Gutenberg

This sounds as if the landlord got the lions share of the profits.

From Project Gutenberg

The Anglo-Saxon race, in the northern continent, has seized the lions share.

From Project Gutenberg