long shot
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
An attempt, guess, or venture that has a very low probability of success.
Something unlikely to happen; a distant possibility; also used in film/photography to describe a camera view taken from a distance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun phrase. In its core idiomatic sense, it implies a high degree of improbability, not just a minor chance. The cinematographic sense is technical and not idiomatic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling remains 'long shot' in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of low probability or remote chance.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It is a long shot.Taking a long shot.That's a long shot.by a long shot (for emphasis in comparisons)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not by a long shot (emphatic 'no')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Investing in that start-up is a long shot, but the potential payout is enormous."
Academic
"Proving that hypothesis with current data is a long shot, but we should attempt a pilot study."
Everyday
"Asking for a pay rise now is a long shot, but you have nothing to lose."
Technical
"The director called for a long shot of the castle from across the valley." (cinematography)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is a long shot, but I will ask for help.
- Finding my lost ring is a long shot.
- Winning the lottery is a real long shot.
- It's a long shot, but I'll try to finish the work early.
- His plan to get funding is a bit of a long shot given the current economy.
- She knew it was a long shot, but applied for the job anyway.
- While securing an interview with the CEO was a long shot, her meticulously crafted pitch ultimately succeeded.
- The prosecution's case rested on a long shot: a witness who might not even exist.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an archer trying to hit a target from a VERY LONG distance - it's a 'long shot' and very unlikely to succeed.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS HITTING A TARGET (a remote target requires a 'long shot').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'длинный выстрел'. The correct equivalent is 'маловероятный шанс', 'сомнительное предприятие', or 'лотерейный билет' (colloquial).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'It's very long shot') instead of a noun phrase (e.g., 'It's a very long shot'). Confusing it with 'long story'.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'not by a long shot' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but cautiously. It acknowledges low odds while expressing hope or determination (e.g., 'It's a long shot, but we have to try').
In the negative phrase 'not by a long shot', it is synonymous with 'not by a long way/chalk/any means', used for emphasis in comparisons.
It originates from 18th/19th-century hunting and military use, where hitting a target from a long distance was difficult and improbable.
The cinematographic term is literal, describing the camera's physical distance from the subject. The idiom is metaphorical, referring to improbability.
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