lion's share

USAGE SUMMARY

"lion's share" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe the most important or largest part of something. For example, "The CEO took the lion's share of the profits, giving the rest of the employees only a modest bonus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's the lion's share.

Los Angeles Times

"And soccer gets the lion's share".

The New York Times

Afghanistan continues to produce the lion's share.

The Economist

them gather the lion's share of the business.

The New Yorker

Roads, ports and electricity projects account for the lion's share.

The Economist

Europe is consuming the lion's share of the IMF's resources.

The Economist

However Mr Berisha "must take the lion's share".

The Economist

Their companies both enjoy the lion's share of their markets.

The Economist

The lion's share goes to China and India (see chart).

The Economist

The lion's share is in bog-standard bank deposits.

The Economist

His daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) often takes the lion's share.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lion's share" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is receiving the biggest or most significant portion of something, especially when there's an element of unfairness or disproportion.

Common error

Avoid using "lion's share" simply to mean 'a large amount'. The phrase often implies that the portion is disproportionately large compared to what others receive or deserve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lion's share" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the largest or most significant portion of something, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lion's share" is a common idiomatic expression used to denote the largest or most significant portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and formal communications. The phrase often carries a connotation of disproportionate distribution, making it essential to consider the underlying nuance when using it. Remember to select the correct word: "major portion" and other options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the lion's portion

Retains the "lion's" but replaces "share" with "portion", maintaining the original figurative sense.

major portion

Replaces the idiomatic "lion's" with a more literal "major", reducing the figurative impact.

greater part

Uses "greater" instead of "lion's", offering a less colorful but equally understandable alternative.

significant portion

Highlights the importance or size of the portion received.

bulk

A shorter, more direct term emphasizing the largest part of something.

majority

A simple term denoting more than half of a total.

largest segment

Replaces the concept of a share with a segment, emphasizing a portion of a whole.

substantial part

Emphasizes the considerable size or importance of the part received.

the biggest piece of the pie

Uses a different idiom with a similar meaning of getting the most desirable part.

predominant amount

Focuses on the amount being dominant, suitable for quantifiable contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "lion's share" in a sentence?

You can use "lion's share" to indicate that someone or something receives the largest portion. For example, "The company's CEO took the "lion's share" of the profits."

What can I say instead of "lion's share"?

You can use alternatives like "major portion", "bulk", or "greater part" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the lion's portion" instead of "lion's share"?

While "the lion's portion" is understandable, "lion's share" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

Does "lion's share" imply fairness or unfairness?

"Lion's share" often implies that the distribution is disproportionate or even unfair, suggesting that one party receives significantly more than others might deserve.