a whole lot
To a very great degree or extent; a lot. The kids enjoyed the show a whole lot. We'd be able to get this done a whole lot faster if the boss wasn't constantly interrupting us.
a whole lot of (something)
A large amount of something; a lot of something. There are still a whole lot of issues plaguing the operating system that we need to figure out before it's released next month.
a ˈwhole lot (of something)
(informal) a large number or amount: There were a whole lot of people I didn’t know.a ˈwhole lot
(informal) very much; a lot: I’m feeling a whole lot better.