Quick answer: “The lion's share” means the largest part or majority of something.
The lion's share — The largest part or majority of something, especially when it is divided among several people or things.
Origin & History
The phrase comes from Aesop's fables, in which a lion joins other animals in a hunt and then claims the entire kill for itself, arguing that its strength and status entitle it to everything.
Over time, 'the lion's share' came to mean simply 'the largest portion', and today it is often used neutrally, without necessarily implying unfairness as the original fable did. Learners who want to check other figurative expressions can consult general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which document how such idioms are used today.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The company took the lion's share of profits, leaving little for smaller partners. | Business |
| She did the lion's share of the work on the group project. | Teamwork |
| The lion's share of the budget goes toward marketing. | Finance |
| Investors receive the lion's share of the returns in this arrangement. | Investment |
Dialogue Example
A: How was the prize money split between the team?
B: Unfairly — the manager took the lion's share and the players got the rest.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
The lions share went to him.
The lion's share went to him. — Don't forget the possessive apostrophe: 'lion's'.
She did a lion's share of the work.
She did the lion's share of the work. — The idiom almost always uses the definite article 'the'.
He took the lion share.
He took the lion's share. — The possessive 's is required: 'lion's share', not 'lion share'.
Similar Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does "the lion's share" mean?
"The lion's share" means the largest part or majority of something, especially when divided among several people or things.
Where does "the lion's share" come from?
It comes from Aesop's fables, where a lion joins a hunt and then claims the entire kill for itself, citing its strength and status.
Can you give an example of "the lion's share" in a sentence?
"She did the lion's share of the work on the group project." It is used whenever one party gets or does the largest portion.
Is "the lion's share" formal or informal?
It is neutral to semi-formal and is common in business, journalism, and everyday conversation.
What CEFR level is "the lion's share"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level, as it relies on a well-known cultural reference to a fable.
What are common mistakes with "the lion's share"?
Common mistakes include forgetting the possessive apostrophe, dropping the definite article 'the', or omitting the 's entirely.
What idioms are similar to "the lion's share"?
Similar idioms include: The bulk of, The majority, A piece of the pie. These describe a large or notable portion of something.
How do I practise idioms like "the lion's share"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises help you practise idioms — try describing how a budget or workload was divided.
Can "the lion's share" be used in writing?
Yes, it is common in business reports, journalism, and semi-formal writing about distribution or division of resources.
Does "the lion's share" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, it is understood identically in both, and is widely recognised across all major varieties of English.