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Long shot
01
an attempt made without having any high hopes of achieving success
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "long shot" and when to use it?
The idiom "long shot" originated from the world of sports, particularly horse racing. In horse racing, a "long shot" refers to a horse with low odds of winning, often considered an unlikely or speculative bet. Over time, this term extended to various contexts and is now used figuratively to describe something that has a low probability of success or is unlikely to happen.
Examples
Trying to win the lottery is often seen as a long shot, as the odds are astronomically against you.
She applied for the prestigious scholarship, even though she knew it was a long shot due to the intense competition.
02
a contestant that is unlikely to win
