Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - lot

~ n 1 »LARGE AMOUNT« a lot also lots informal a large quantity or number  (The stereo cost a lot, but it was worth it. | "How much ice cream do you want?" "Lots, please.") + of  (There were lots of people at the party.) a lot to do/see/eat etc  (There's a lot to do before the wedding. | an awful lot (=a very large amount)) 2 »MUCH« + comparative) if something is a lot or lots better, easier etc, it is much better, easier etc  (Benny can run lots faster than me. | Andrea always had a lot more money than I had.) 3 have a lot on BrE have a lot going on AmE to be very busy, with a lot of things to do in a short time 4 have a lot on your mind to have a lot of problems that you are worried about 5 thanks a lot spoken a) thank you very much b) used when you are annoyed about something and do not really mean thank you at all  ("I forgot to bring your money." "Well, thanks a lot!") 6 »TO BE SOLD« something that is sold, especially at an auction1  (Lot fifteen was a box of old books.) 7 have a lot to answer for to be responsible for a bad situation  (Jerry's got a lot to answer for. If it weren't for him, Ann would never have left Denver.) 8 the lot especially BrE the whole quantity or number  (I can't believe you ate the whole lot!) 9 »FILM« a building and the land surrounding it where films are made; a film studio (2)  (the Universal Studios lot) 10 »SB'S LOT« sometimes humorous the work, responsibilities, social position etc that you have, especially when they could be better  (She seems happy enough with her lot in life.) 11 »PEOPLE« BrE informal a group of people, especially one you do not completely approve of  (Come on you lot, hurry up! | the lot of you/them etc (=all of you, them etc))  (Outside, the lot of you!) 12 »GROUP OF THINGS« BrE informal a group of things  (Let's drop this lot off and go home.) 13 »OF LAND« especially AmE an area of land used for building on or for another particular purpose  (We could turn that vacant lot into a playground. | a used-car lot)  (- see also parking lot) 14 have a lot on your plate informal especially BrE to have a lot of difficult problems to deal with  (Leave Mum alone - she's got a lot on her plate at the moment.) 15 draw lots to decide on someone or something by choosing one piece of paper, object etc from among many  (They drew lots to see who would go first.) 16 throw in/cast your lot with sb to join or support someone, so that what happens to you depends on what happens to them  (They threw their lot in with the allies.) 17 by lot by drawing lots  (In Athens at that time, judges were chosen by lot.)  (- see also bad egg/lot/sort/type bad1 (16), fall to sb's lot fall1, a fat lot of good/use fat1 (5))