long shot

[lawng shot, long]

noun

1. a horse, team, etc., that has little chance of winning and carries long odds.

2. an attempt or undertaking that offers much but in which there is little chance for success.

   Getting tickets at this late date is a long shot, but I'll give it a whirl.

3. Movies, Television.,  a camera shot taken at a relatively great distance from the subject and permitting a broad view of a scene.

long shot

noun

1. a competitor, as in a race, considered to be unlikely to win

2. a bet against heavy odds

3. an undertaking, guess, or possibility with little chance of success

4. films television a shot where the camera is or appears to be distant from the object to be photographed

5. by any means

   he still hasn't finished by a long shot

Word History and Origins

Origin of long shot¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by a long shot, by any means; by a measurable degree (usually used in the negative).

   They haven't finished by a long shot.

Example Sentences

After all, it was that message of change with hope that gave us President Obama, another candidate many considered a long shot at first.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some long shot patients believe they will beat the odds, Adamson said, “but the numbers are the numbers.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Each time they came upon a tantalizing long shot, one of them set to work on making the case for it, in an elaborate presentation, complete with PowerPoint slides.

Read more on Literature

Through 10 weeks, three teams pace the league with eight wins and all of them—the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos—entered the season as total long shots.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cody Bellinger is hitting the open market, though a reunion with the Dodgers has always seemed like a long shot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fluke