Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
not by a long shot
idiomatic expression
nɒt baɪ ə lɔŋ ʃɒt
Definition
A phrase used to indicate that something is far from true or not at all likely to happen.
Examples
- The team is not winning the championship, not by a long shot.
- She thought she could finish the project by tonight, but not by a long shot!
- His performance was good, but he’s not the best, not by a long shot.
Meaning
This expression is often used to emphasize that the reality of a situation is very different from a previously stated idea or belief. It’s a way of saying that something is definitely not the case or is unlikely to occur, often used in a dismissive or corrective sense.
Synonyms
- far from it
- not even close
- not at all
- in no way
