The phrase "sheer amount" refers to an overwhelming or large quantity of something. It can be used in a positive or negative context, depending on the situation. For example, if someone says they were amazed by the sheer amount of work that needed to be done, it means there was a lot of work and they were impressed by its magnitude. On the other hand, if someone complains about the sheer amount of paperwork they have to do, it implies that there is too much work and it's overwhelming.