what a shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express admiration or surprise at a particularly impressive or skillful shot, often in sports or photography contexts. Example: "After watching him score from the halfway line, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a shot!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

But what a shot.

The Guardian - Sport

What a shot by Niall!

The Guardian - Sport

What a shot this is!

The Guardian - Sport

What a shot that is.

The Guardian - Sport

Whoever threw that coin, what a shot!

The Guardian - Sport

What a shot, what a save.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"A lot of people after they miss a shot, are yelling at themselves — 'What a stupid shot,' something like that," Kuchar said.

The New York Times - Sports

But wouldn't you rather that people react by saying, "What a well-shot scene" or "What a well-acted performance" than by saying, "That movie should never have been made?" I'd rather have those last remarks you said.

The New York Times

What a wonderful shot.

The Guardian - Sport

What a superlative shot!

The Guardian - Sport

"What a great shot," Kittles said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a shot" to express genuine surprise and admiration for a skillful action, especially in sports commentary or casual conversation. It's most effective when the shot is particularly impressive or unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "what a shot" for ordinary or unremarkable actions. Reserve it for genuinely impressive displays to maintain its impact and avoid sounding insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what a shot" is as an exclamatory phrase. It expresses a strong feeling of admiration or surprise, often triggered by witnessing a remarkable feat, particularly in sports or similar activities. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

45%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what a shot" is a common and grammatically correct exclamation used to express admiration or surprise at a skillful action, particularly in sports, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's generally neutral in register but leans towards informal, making it suitable for both news reporting and casual conversation. While versatile, it's most impactful when reserved for genuinely impressive displays. Consider alternatives like "amazing shot" or "incredible shot" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amazing shot

Replaces "what a" with a simple adjective.

incredible shot

Similar to "amazing shot", using a different adjective to express admiration.

fantastic shot

Employs another adjective to convey strong approval.

brilliant shot

Uses "brilliant" to highlight the skillfulness of the shot.

superb shot

Emphasizes the high quality and excellence of the shot.

outstanding shot

Highlights the exceptional nature of the shot.

that was a shot

Changes the emphasis slightly, focusing on the past action.

magnificent shot

Adds a sense of grandeur to the praise.

what a play

Broadens the context from just a "shot" to a more general action in sports or other activities.

what skill

Shifts the focus from the shot itself to the skill displayed.

FAQs

How can I use "what a shot" in a sentence?

"What a shot" is typically used as an exclamation after witnessing an impressive or skillful action. For example, "The basketball player made a three-pointer from downtown! What a shot!"

What's a more formal alternative to "what a shot"?

While "what a shot" is generally informal, you could use phrases like "that was an excellent shot" or "an impressive display of skill" in more formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "what a shot"?

It's best used in situations where you want to express immediate and enthusiastic admiration for a skillful action, typically in sports, games, or any context where someone demonstrates notable precision or technique.

What are some similar expressions to "what a shot"?

Similar expressions include "amazing shot", "incredible shot", or "that was a shot", all conveying similar sentiments of admiration and surprise.