better part of
The larger portion
The better part of a quantity means most of it: We waited for the better part of an hour.
Despite the word *better*, the phrase doesn't imply quality—just that the larger portion was consumed or occupied.
She spent the better part of her career in publishing.
- vast majorityMost of a group
- majorityOver half of total
- hourSixty-minute span
- mostGreatest in number
- bulkMain mass or size
crux · heart · significance · preponderance · day · half hour · core · lion's share · fair share · importance · essence · week · substance · month · afternoon · morning · year · evening