IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchLa part du lion
Meaning: By far the largest portion, taken by the strongest party.
Literally: The lion's share
Example: “Dans ce partage, l'aîné s'est taillé la part du lion.” — In this division, the eldest son helped himself to the lion's share.
English equivalent: The lion's share
Equivalents in other languages
English: the lion's share
Origin: From Aesop's fable, in which the lion hunts with other animals and then claims every portion in turn, by right, by strength and by daring. English use has softened it to mean merely the biggest share; the fable meant all of it.
More French idioms
- S'entendre comme larrons en foire To be thick as thieves; to understand one another perfectly.
- À la fortune du pot Taking potluck; sharing whatever happens to be cooking.
- Séparer le bon grain de l'ivraie To distinguish what is valuable from what is worthless.
- Se demander si c'est du lard ou du cochon To be unable to tell what something is or how it is meant.
- Une autre paire de manches A different matter entirely; a far harder proposition.
- Faire du lèche-vitrine To go window shopping.
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