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

A long shot of a ship in harbor, and the unwitting glee with which the inhabitants of 1520s Cebu run to the beach to welcome the sailors, needs no words.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Passage has gone from a foregone conclusion early in the year to a long shot, even though lawmakers hope to hold a committee vote in the next month.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

But there are still big questions for Pakistan; and securing a peace deal is a long shot.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Armed with rising star quarterbacks and coaches, the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots defied their long shot reputations to reach Super Bowl LX.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

Gino ripped a long shot that I dove for and caught in midair.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor

Related Words

• fluke