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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

long shot

Survival is a long shot for any hatchling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

This is a long shot, and it has been tried before.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

On the evidence of this 199th Manchester derby, United are a very long shot to achieve Berrada's target.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

But she’s not alone, not by a long shot.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

I walk up a gentle slope that leads to the bridge to get a long shot of Phil with the garden around him.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

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