long-shot
UK[ˈlɒŋ ʃɒt]US[ˈlɔːŋ ʃɑːt]
n
An attempt or guess that is very unlikely to succeed.
n
A bet in which the chances of winning are very small.
n
A photograph or film scene taken from a distance.
Morpheme Breakdown
long
shot
long
extended
shot
attempt
Etymology
The compound "long-shot" originated in the late 18th century from the literal sense of a shot fired at a great distance, where the probability of hitting the target was low. This concrete imagery was logically extended to the world of gambling by the mid-19th century to describe a bet on a competitor with very little chance of winning. Finally, the term was adopted in photography and cinematography in the early 20th century to denote a camera view taken from a distance, framing the subject within a broad context, thus completing its journey from a literal physical action to a metaphor for improbability and then to a specific technical descriptor.
Analysis
Structure: long (extended) + shot (attempt)
- long: From Old English lang, long, meaning "having considerable linear extent." It functions as an adjective describing the distance or extent.
- shot: From Old English sc(e)ot, gesceot, meaning "act of shooting." It functions as a noun denoting an attempt, a bet, or a photographic/filmic take.
Examples
His plan to become a professional actor with no training is a real long-shot.
She put a small wager on the long-shot, hoping for a huge payout.
The film opens with a beautiful long-shot of the city skyline at dawn.