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

It's a long shot, to say the least, and Verstappen says he's "not thinking about it".

From BBC

To fix that, Maceri called for more funding from the state or federal government, but getting it could be a long shot.

From Los Angeles Times

That competition came to a close Tuesday, with O’Connor atop the depth chart, his long shot plan from three years earlier having finally come to fruition.

From Los Angeles Times

With the clock inching closer to Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline, Chargers rookies, backups and long shots have one final opportunity to impress the front office.

From Los Angeles Times

Out since early June because of elbow discomfort, Gonsolin was already a long shot to return this season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fluke