The lion’s share is the largest part, the greatest and most desirable portion of something. The lion’s share is a common English phrase by the year 1701. The phrase comes from a fable written by Aesop, in which the lion goes hunting with three other beasts. When it’s time to divide the spoils, the lion takes one portion for his title as king of the forest, another portion because he is a partner, another portion because he is the strongest and the last portion because an accident will befall anyone who lays a paw upon it. The moral of this Aesop tale is “One may share the labors of the great, but you will not share the spoils.” Today the lion’s share does not mean the entire amount as it does in the fable, the lion’s share refers to the biggest and best portion.
Examples
Deal Done, BJP Takes Lion’s Share in Bihar Elections (The New Indian Express)
Swimming: Govaerts wins the lion’s share of gold (Otago Daily Times)
Local food pantry gets Lion’s share (The Glasgow Daily Times)
How promoters are taking lion’s share of companies’ wage bill (The Economic Times)
Leaving aside the issue of New York’s poor defensive play — that unit allowed Tony Romo to drive his team 72 yards in just six quick plays — the lion’s share of the blame for the defeat fell on quarterback Eli Manning and Coach Tom Coughlin. (The Washington Post)
Most of the three-page letter, dated Aug. 17, argued the anticipated benefits to the community by the performing arts center, and said the four companies and institutions account for “the lion’s share” of hotel traffic in Findlay. (The Courier)