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. Compare close-up ( def 2 ), medium shot.

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 a long shot
   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.

Related Words

• fluke