# lion's share

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lions-share
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The majority; a large or generous portion.

## Examples

- He took the lion's share of the cake.
- My older brother always eats the lion's share of the pizza.
- The marketing department received the lion's share of the company budget this year.
- The local charity receives the lion's share of its donations during the winter holidays when people feel more generous.
- Although the partners worked equally, the senior director claimed the lion's share of the credit for the successful project.

## Origin

The phrase originates from the fable titled The Lion's Share, attributed to the figure Aesop. The narrative describes a lion hunting in the company of several other beasts. Once the kill is made, the lion claims the entirety of the spoil for himself, effectively concluding the partnership. In one variation of the fable, the lion claims three-quarters of the kill rather than the whole. This leaves the remaining quarter for the three other animals to dispute among themselves. The lion secures the majority portion, while the others are left to settle the remainder.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.