PhrasesHub

A piece of the pie

    Definitions

      • fair distribution of resources or opportunities
        To suggest that everyone should have equal access to something, such as wealth, power, or opportunities, and that no one should be unfairly denied their share.

      • partial or limited portion
        To indicate that only a small portion or share of something is being considered or discussed, and not the entire thing.

      • contribution or involvement
        To imply that someone has a role or stake in a particular situation or outcome, and that their contribution or involvement is important.

    Examples of A piece of the pie

    • After working on the project for months, John finally got a piece of the pie and was promoted to a higher position.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who has achieved a portion of success or recognition, often in a competitive situation. It comes from the idea of dividing a pie into slices, and each person getting a portion that they feel is fair. In this example, John's hard work and dedication paid off, and he was rewarded with a promotion, which can be seen as a "piece of the pie" in his company's success.

    • Sarah has been working in the marketing department for years, but she's still waiting for her piece of the pie.

      This example shows that someone may feel they deserve more recognition or success than they currently have. Sarah has been working hard in her department, but she hasn't yet been promoted or received any other significant recognition. She's still waiting for her "piece of the pie," which could come in the form of a promotion, a raise, or some other form of success.

    • The company's new product launch was a huge success, and everyone got a piece of the pie.

      This example shows that success is often shared among those who contributed to it. When the company's new product launch was successful, everyone involved, from the marketing team to the engineers, benefited. They all received a "piece of the pie," which could be seen as a share of the profits or recognition for their hard work.

    • After the merger, the two companies had to divide up the pie.

      This example shows how the concept of "pie" can be used to describe a situation where resources or profits are being divided. In this case, after the two companies merged, they had to figure out how to divide up the profits and resources. Each company had to settle for a "piece of the pie," which could be seen as a share of the profits or resources that they were entitled to based on their contribution to the success of the merged company.

    • The team's hard work paid off, and they all got a piece of the pie.

      This example shows that success is often the result of teamwork and collaboration. When the team's hard work paid off, everyone involved received a "piece of the pie." This could be seen as a share of the profits or recognition for their contributions to the team's success. It highlights the importance of working together and recognizing the contributions of each team member.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "a piece of the pie" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. However, the underlying theme is usually related to fairness, distribution, and involvement. In all its meanings, the idiom highlights the idea of everyone having a fair share or equal opportunity in a given situation.

    In the first meaning, the idiom is used to convey the intention of advocating for equal distribution of resources or opportunities. This could be in a business setting where everyone should have an equal chance to succeed or in a society where all individuals should have access to the same resources and opportunities.

    The second meaning refers to a partial or limited portion of something. In this usage, the idiom emphasizes that only a small part of something is being considered or discussed, and not the entire thing. This could be used in a conversation to clarify that a specific aspect is being discussed, and not the entire issue.

    Lastly, the idiom can also convey the intention of highlighting someone's contribution or involvement in a particular situation. In this meaning, it suggests that the person has a role or stake in the matter, and their contribution or involvement is important. This could be used to recognize someone's efforts or to encourage them to participate more actively.

    Origin of "A piece of the pie"

    The origin of the idiom "a piece of the pie" can be traced back to the mid-19th century when it was first used in a literal sense, meaning a portion of a pie. However, the figurative use of the idiom to refer to a fair distribution of resources or opportunities became popular in the 1920s.

    The phrase "to get a piece of the pie" was often used in the context of business mergers and acquisitions, where different companies would merge to share the profits. It was also used in politics to refer to the distribution of power and resources among different groups.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved and is now used in various contexts to imply the idea of fairness and equal sharing. Its origins in business and politics may have influenced its usage to convey the intention of advocating for fair distribution or involvement.