Cool MateLong shot vs No long shot
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Long shot
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
No long shot
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Long shot
| Long shot | No long shot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɒŋ ʃɒt//🇺🇸 //lɔŋ ʃɑt// | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ lɒŋ ʃɒt//🇺🇸 //noʊ lɔŋ ʃɑt// |
| Meaning | An unlikely chance of success. | An unlikely chance of success |
| Example | Winning the lottery is a real long shot. | He wants to win the lottery, but it’s a no long shot. |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | a long shot, take a long shot, long shot at, long shot candidate | take a no long shot, consider a no long shot, attempt a no long shot |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'shot' in a photographic context., Used too formally, such as in business contexts., Misunderstanding the meaning as something positive. | Confused with 'long shot', missing the negative, Using it in a formal context, Misunderstanding the nuance of 'unlikely' |
| Usage notes | Use 'long shot' in casual conversations or storytelling when discussing unlikely situations. Avoid in formal writing. | Use in informal contexts to express skepticism about someone's chances of success. Avoid it in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Long shot vs No long shot
What's the difference between Long shot and No long shot?
Long shot: An unlikely chance of success. No long shot: An unlikely chance of success
Which is more common: Long shot and No long shot?
Long shot is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Long shot: Winning the lottery is a real long shot. No long shot: He wants to win the lottery, but it’s a no long shot.
Can I use Long shot and No long shot interchangeably?
Not always. Long shot and No long shot are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.