Choose the option that brings out the meaning of the underline idiom : A lion's share of India's annual budget is for defence.

Question

Accepted Answer

The idiom "a lion's share" is commonly used to refer to the largest portion or the majority of something. This expression originates from one of Aesop's fables, where the lion takes the largest portion of the spoils, emphasizing the idea of taking the most significant part. In the context of the sentence, "A lion's share of India's annual budget is for defence," it implies that a substantial portion of the budget is allocated to defense.

1. **Explanation for Option 1 (major share):**
   - The phrase "a lion's share" directly correlates with the idea of a "major share," meaning the largest or most significant portion of something. In the context of budgets, a major share would indicate that defense receives a significant amount of the total budget, which aligns perfectly with the meaning of the idiom. Therefore, Option 1 is the correct choice as it accurately captures the essence of the idiom.

2. **Explanation for why the other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 2 (minor amount):** This option suggests a small or insignificant portion, which is the opposite of what "a lion's share" means. The idiom implies a dominant or substantial part, not a minor one.
   - **Option 3 (small):** Similar to Option 2, this option indicates a limited or insignificant portion. "A lion's share" does not refer to something small; rather, it denotes the largest or most considerable part.
   - **Option 4 (very little):** This option also contradicts the meaning of the idiom. "Very little" suggests a negligible amount, which is not what "a lion's share" conveys. The idiom implies a large, significant portion, not a minimal one.

In conclusion, Option 1 is the correct answer because it accurately reflects the meaning of the idiom "a lion's share," which is to denote the largest or most significant portion of something. The other options do not align with this meaning and are therefore incorrect.