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

“My favorite long shot is ‘Wonder Man,’ Marvel’s love letter to Hollywood dreams and dreamers,” says Tracy Brown.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Both leads in ‘Death by Lightning’ are deserving, but it seems a long shot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

All it has to do now, after beginning the season as a 150-1 long shot, is avoid defeat in the last game of the season at Celtic on Saturday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The rescue effort was seen as a long shot and criticised by experts who said it would only cause the animal more distress.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

Gaea and the giants weren’t done causing trouble—not by a long shot.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• fluke