a lot

a lot

A large amount, extent, or degree of something. Also written in the plural form, "lots." I have a lot of respect for my father, who worked hard every day to give us the things we wanted. It was lots of fun hanging out last night.
See also: lot

a lot of

A large number or amount of (people or things). There are still a lot of issues plaguing the operating system that we need to figure out before it's released next month. We did a lot of promotion for our show, but not a lot of people showed up.
See also: lot, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a lot

Very many, a large number; also, very much. For example, A lot of people think the economy is declining, or Sad movies always made her cry a lot. It is sometimes put as a whole lot for greater emphasis, as in I learned a whole lot in his class. It may also emphasize a comparative indication of amount, as in We need a whole lot more pizza to feed everyone, or Mary had a lot less nerve than I expected. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
See also: lot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • a lot of
  • campi
  • battleship
  • iron in the fire
  • prelim
  • prelims
  • The wolf is at the door
  • the wolf is at the/(one's) door
  • home truth
  • a home truth
References in periodicals archive
We have a lot of laughs, but we're serious about going out and playing the game." BD
Rickey Henderson looks back on Hall of Fame career: all-time stolen-base king has great memories of a 25-year career that featured 3,000 hits, the lifetime record for runs scored, an MVP award and two World Series titles
"You just jealous 'cause you don't have a lot of cousins like me," I shouted.
In the Family
"A lot of our supplies are as a result of salvage work," said LaBrash.
Company's fortunes reversed by its new, 'hands-on' managers
I assure you that three years ago, their problems were a lot deeper than thinking about hosting the Little League World Series.
A winning team: Lucky Stores and the Oakland A's have combined in an unusual program to benefit youth in the Bay Area
Ach mu bha sin fior, agus nach ann direach air falach a bha'd, tha'd air a thighinn air ais leis a' bhlaths, agus tha'n cu a-nise cumail suil a bheil iad aig ceann a-muigh a lot. Theid e mach agus suidhidh e aig cul an tighe, agus mu chi e gluasad sam bith aig ceann a-muigh a lot, tha e ruith mun a' ghaoth.
GAELIC COLUMN ANGUS MACDONALD
"A lot of experts didn't even have us winning even one game.
Where are they now: former Oakland captain Sal Bando recalls famous A's dynasty
"I'm glad we had a lot of support out there, a lot of my buddies were out there."
Lunenburg walks off with title; Morrisette, LaJoie lift Phillies past A's
But wait--is it possible you still like him a little because your friend suddenly likes him a lot? Remind yourself of what bugged you about him.
Dear Carol
Cespedes told the San Francisco Chronicle that with the harrowing ordeal now in the past, "I will play a lot better," and Melvin said he has little doubt that will be the case.
Ready for an encore
"And when you're called upon to go longer in the game and throw a lot of pitches, physically you're able to do it.
Lester ready to go again; Anxious for circus to end
There's a lot to be said for fun, commitment-free, casual dating.
Star signs
He has come in for a lot of stick as Marks has stumbled from crisis to crisis, but the City reckons M&S will be one of the biggest winners from C&A's demise.
Mirror Finanace