The Archive

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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