The Lion’s Share 🦁
Deeper Dive
“The lion’s share” means receiving the greatest part or the whole of something, leaving others with little or nothing. This idiom has a storied history dating back to Aesop’s fables, where a lion cunningly (and brutishly) claimed the entire spoil of the hunt from his friends. Unlike the lion’s “friends,” let’s chew over this tale without losing limbs or prestige!
Example: After Marvin discovered the hidden cache of snacks in the pantry, he decided to take the lion’s share for himself.
Synonyms:
- The bulk of it
- The major portion
- The largest chunk
Antonyms:
- A small portion
- The crumbs
- The least part
Wit and Wisdom 🗣️:
“If you want the lion’s share, be prepared for the lion’s attitude!”
Related Expressions & Idioms:
- “Take the cake” 🍰 – To be the most outstanding or most foolish according to the context.
- “The whole enchilada” 🌯 – Getting everything available, much like taking the lion’s share.
- “Grab with both hands” 🤲 – To eagerly seize as much as possible.
Humor-filled Quote:
“Why seek the lion’s share when you can be the lion sharing?” - Roary McJungle, author of Predatory Wisdom
Related Proverbs:
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” – Suggesting that too many people can ruin something, perhaps as the lion thought of other hunters in his fable.
Literature:
- Aesop’s Fables by Aesop 📚
- The Animal Dialogues: Uncommon Encounters in the Wild by Craig Childs
Movies:
- The Lion King (1994) 🇿🇦: Musing about the lion’s role in a fable-like setting
- The Jungle Book (2016): Talking animals and human bravery
Songs:
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor 🐯: Roaring through adversity evokes the spirit of the lion claiming its share.
- “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King: The jolly side of life where perhaps predators take a break.
Thought-provoking Farewell:
In a world that tempts us to clutch the lion’s share, let’s remember the harmony in sharing and the joy it brings to the pride. - F.A. Fableweaver 🌟
