As a whole is into highest spot - almost! (2,4)

I believe the answer is:

in toto

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'as a whole' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'into highest spot almost' is the wordplay.
'into' indicates putting letters inside.
'highest' becomes 'into' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'spot' becomes 'dot' (I've seen this before).
'almost' means to remove the first letter.
'dot' with its initial letter removed is 'ot'.
'into' enclosing 'ot' is 'IN TOTO'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for in toto that I've seen before include "All told" , "Altogether, completely" , "As a whole (Latin)" , "As a whole (Lat.)" , "overall" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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