IDIOMS

World of sports

IN ENGLISH, THE BUSINESS WORLD DRAWS SIGNIFICANT INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD OF SPORTS, WHICH IS REFLECTED IN MANY COMMONLY USED EXPRESSIONS. WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF OVER 130 SUCH EXPRESSIONS, COMPLETE WITH EXPLANATIONS AND EXAMPLES.

LONG SHOT.
A racehorse competing illustrating the origin of the expression 'long shot.'

This expression is used when a project or action has little chance of succeeding, without being completely impossible.

It originates from the world of sports, more specifically horse racing, where a 'long shot' is a horse with a low probability of winning the race, typically associated with high odds and a risky bet.

Examples of use in a business context:

  • This product launch is a long shot by any metric. We will be lucky if we break even.

  • I would say you are a long shot for this position, but you have nothing to lose by trying.

  • Even if our legal case is a long shot, it will give us what we need now: a little time.

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