the lion's share

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does the lion's share mean? In what situations is the lion's share used?

Meaning of "the lion's share"

Meaning

The phrase 'the lion's share' refers to an overwhelming majority or the largest portion of something, usually referring to the amount of money or resources. The phrase conveys the idea of one person or entity taking the majority of something, leaving crumbs for others. In other words, having the most significant amount of something in comparison to others.

Etymology

The phrase 'the lion's share' has origins in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. This phrase came from the story of The Lion and the Four Oxen. In this story, a lion is said to have divided a dead animal into five parts, with the lion taking the largest piece. Since that time, 'the lion's share' has been used to refer to an unfair division of resources.

Usage

This phrase is widely used in many different contexts, both in speech and in writing. It is used to describe any situation where one person or entity has taken the majority of something, leaving the rest for others. It can also be used to describe any situation where unfairness or discrepancies occur, to refer to a large portion of something. For example, in business negotiations, one party may make the argument that they should receive the lion's share of a profit margin.

Example Sentences

• The singer made off with the lion's share of the ticket sales.
• The company was left with the lion's share of the responsibility.
• The majority of the inheritance went to the eldest son, giving him the lion's share.

As the phrase ‘the lion’s share’ is so widely used, it can be used in many other contexts and situations. Whether referring to a large venture, a business endeavor, or a personal agreement between friends, the phrase can be used to refer to an unequal and unfair division of resources.

Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language in Idioms

Idioms often use figurative language to convey a message that is not meant to be taken literally. For instance, the idiom "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaint, while "hold your horses" means to be patient and wait. Other idioms, like "kick the bucket" or "pop your clogs," use euphemisms to talk about death.