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

That's a long shot, though, especially if Antetokounmpo's long-term future in Milwaukee remains cloudy. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

While that's a long shot, in what has been perhaps the most bizarre, fascinating and in many ways historic presidential campaign in our lifetimes, would that really be that much of a surprise? —Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 3 Nov. 2024

While a Democratic win in this race is a long shot, how far Pinkins closes the 99-point gap with Wicker by Nov. 5 will be used as a starting line for future Democrats running for Mississippi's congressional seats. —USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Indiana — Big Tree Farm, $47.9 Million Photo : Getty Images Big Tree Farm is once again Indiana’s most expensive listing—and by a long shot. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 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