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

But Mboladinga’s arrival in the states was nearly as big of a long shot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

“Congressional Democratic support of legislation that would undercut Democratic governors and attorneys general is a long shot, in our view,” wrote Stifel Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner in a research note this week.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

That could allow its current investors to start cashing out even if the refinery never gets built — a milestone many energy industry insiders still view as a long shot.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

I’m no Nobu regular and rarely cook, so I was the class newbie by a long shot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Semyonov knew it was a long shot, but he was desperate.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• fluke