1. a horse, team, etc., that has little chance of winning and carries long odds.
2. an attempt or undertaking that offers much but in which there is little chance for success.
3. Motion Pictures , Television. a camera shot taken at a relatively great distance from the subject and permitting a broad view of a scene. Cf. closeup (def. 2), medium shot .
4. by a long shot , by any means; by a measurable degree: They haven't finished by a long shot.
[ 1785-95 ]