By a long shot Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈɫɔŋ/ /ˈʃɑt
BY-uh-LAWNG-shot
bˈaɪ/ /æɪ/ /lˈɒŋ/ /ʃˈɒt
BY-uh-LONG-shot
Definition
Used to emphasize that something is much less true or much more extreme than what someone thinks, meaning 'not at all' or 'by a large difference.'
Usage & Nuances
Informal, mainly spoken. Used to reject comparisons or expectations, often after negatives (not..., by a long shot). Can also follow positive statements to mean 'by far.' Synonym: 'not even close.'
Spanish: ni de lejos - ni de casualidadPortuguese (BR): nem de longe - de jeito nenhumPortuguese (PT): nem por sombras - nem de pertoChinese (Simplified): 远远不 - 绝不Chinese (Traditional): 遠遠不 - 絕不Hindi: कहीं से भी नहीं - बिलकुल नहींArabic: بأي حال من الأحوال - على الإطلاقBengali: একেবারেই না - মোটেও না - অনেক ফারাকRussian: ни в коем случае - отнюдь не - вовсе нетJapanese: 全く〜ない - 断然〜ないVietnamese: hoàn toàn không - còn lâu mới - cách biệt rất xaKorean: 전혀 아니다 - 결코 아니다 - 한참 부족하다Turkish: hiçbir şekilde - asla - farklaUrdu: ہرگز نہیں - بالکل نہیں - بہت زیادہ فرقIndonesian: sama sekali tidak - belum tentu - jauh sekali
Example Sentences
This isn't the best solution by a long shot.
basic
I'm not finished with my homework by a long shot.
basic
He isn't the tallest in the class by a long shot.
basic
You don't understand the problem by a long shot.
natural
Winning this game won't be easy by a long shot.
natural
This place isn't the worst I've seen, not by a long shot.
natural