it's a long shot

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's a long shot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is unlikely to happen, or when you are talking about taking a chance with something unlikely to succeed. For example, "I know it's a long shot, but I'm going to apply to the prestigious university anyway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's a long shot: CPR's first two albums sold just 100,000 copies combined.

Forbes

(Stanford's acceptance rate is 7 percent, so I know it's a long shot for anyone).

The New York Times

Maybe it's a long shot.

The New York Times

Perhaps it's a long shot.

The New Yorker

"We know it's a long shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, it's a long shot.

The New Yorker

"It's a long shot," he admitted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's a long-shot chance to transcend the dead end.

The New Yorker

It's a long-shot case.

Forbes

Dover striker Terry Dixon added: "It's going to be tough, it's a long-shot.

BBC

It's a long-shot, but not impossible.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's a long shot" to acknowledge the unlikelihood of something while still expressing a willingness to try. This can soften the impact of potential failure and show a positive attitude.

Common error

Avoid using "it's a long shot" to completely dismiss an idea. The phrase implies a small chance of success, not impossibility. If something is genuinely impossible, a more definitive statement is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's a long shot" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express the low probability of a particular outcome or the slim chances of success in a given endeavor. As seen in Ludwig, it serves to temper expectations while often still implying a willingness to try.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's a long shot" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to convey that something is unlikely to happen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media sources, sports reporting, and general conversation. Although it acknowledges the low probability of success, it often implies a willingness to try despite the odds. While alternatives like "slim chance" or "unlikely to happen" exist, "it's a long shot" carries a specific nuance that acknowledges the difficulty while not entirely dismissing the possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slim chance

Emphasizes the small possibility of success.

Not a likely outcome

Highlights the improbability of the result.

Low probability

Focuses on the statistical unlikelihood.

Unlikely to happen

Directly states the improbability of the event.

Against the odds

Implies a struggle against unfavorable circumstances.

A pipe dream

Suggests an unrealistic or fanciful hope.

A distant prospect

Highlights the remoteness of the possibility.

Outside chance

Similar to 'slim chance', but perhaps even more marginal.

Questionable prospect

Indicates doubt regarding the likelihood of success.

Hardly feasible

Suggests the idea is not easily achieved or practical.

FAQs

What does "it's a long shot" mean?

The phrase "it's a long shot" means that something has a very low probability of success or is unlikely to happen.

How can I use "it's a long shot" in a sentence?

You can use "it's a long shot" to acknowledge that an attempt might fail, but you're still willing to try. For example, "I know "getting that promotion" is a long shot, but I'm going to work hard anyway."

What are some alternatives to saying "it's a long shot"?

Alternatives include "slim chance", "unlikely to happen", or "low probability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "it's a long shot" or "it's a long shot chance"?

"It's a long shot" is the more common and idiomatic expression. Saying "it's a long shot chance" is somewhat redundant because the phrase already implies a chance, although it is sometimes used as exemplified by Ludwig.