Long shot
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A shot fired at a distant target.
""It is of course a most foolish thing twice to take a long shot in a capercailzie wood, as you know," said the captain, appealing to me; "but the last time I had no choice, because I heard that villainous Andreas stalking the bird at the same time.""
- 2 a venture that involves great risk but promises great rewards wordnet
- 3 Something unlikely; something that has little chance of happening or working; long odds idiomatic
"We can try your plan, but it's a long shot and it probably won't work."
- 4 a contestant that is unlikely to win wordnet
- 5 A master shot, the primary wide shot of a scene into which the closeups will be edited later.
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- 6 Synonym of long take; a single, continuous shot that lasts for an unusually long duration without any cuts.
Example
More examples""It is of course a most foolish thing twice to take a long shot in a capercailzie wood, as you know," said the captain, appealing to me; "but the last time I had no choice, because I heard that villainous Andreas stalking the bird at the same time.""
Etymology
From long + shot. The term arose from the accuracy of early naval guns, which were effective only at close range and unlikely to hit the mark at any great distance.