Etymology Journal ยท A
A long shot
Meaning
- An endeavor with a very low probability of success. It is used when you are attempting something difficult where the odds are stacked against you.
Realistic, cautious
Used in a sentence
- It is a long shot, but I am going to apply for the promotion anyway.
- Winning the lottery is a long shot, but someone has to win.
- I know it is a long shot, but do you think we can fix the engine before dinner?
The backstory
This comes from 19th-century shooting and hunting. It refers to the difficulty of hitting a distant target where small variations in aim lead to a total miss.
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