long shot

American  

[lawng shot, long] / ˈlɔŋ ˌʃɒt, ˈlɒŋ /

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.

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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.

long shot British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of long shot

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Mekhi Long shot 4 of 6 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line to finish with 11 points.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

Long shot candidates with more traditional qualifications — John Delaney, Tim Ryan — crowded out the margins of the televised debate.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2019

Key moment: Long shot Yang throwing his hat in the ring to begin with.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2019

“Our vote was to send a message, so to see him get in is just unbelievable. Long shot doesn’t begin to describe it. He just . . .” Hyde looked off into the distance, speechless.

From Washington Post • Nov. 9, 2016

But then it must not be forgotten that the challenger is a "Long" shot.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various

Related Words

• fluke