long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät 

1

: a venture involving great risk but promising a great reward if successful

also : a venture unlikely to succeed

2

: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning

3

: a bet in which the chances of winning are slight but the possible winnings great

Phrases

by a long shot

: by a great deal

Examples of long shot in a Sentence

I hope to double my profits, but I know that's a long shot.

The horse was a long shot, but we bet on him anyway.

She always bets on long shots at the racetrack.

Recent Examples on the Web

But transitioning all those workers over from oil and gas is still considered a long shot. —Kirk Siegler, NPR, 8 May 2024

The possibility of Paramount soldiering on as a standalone entity seems like a long shot. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

long shot

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌshät 

1

: a great risk that promises a great reward if successful

2

: an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning