longshot

Bet against odds

A longshot is an attempt or venture with little chance of success but a potentially large payoff if it does succeed.

The term comes from horse racing, where betting on a longshot means wagering on a horse unlikely to win—the odds are against you, but the returns are substantial.

By extension, any unlikely candidate, improbable outcome, or risky gamble can be called a longshot.

It's a longshot, but we might as well try.

The phrase not by a longshot means not at all or not even close.

probability

improbable

Not likely true

unlikelyNot apt to happen
remoteDistant or controller
slimThin or meager

negligible · far-fetched · implausible · doubtful · inconceivable · astronomical · iffy · tenuous · moonshot · pipedream

gamble

betting

Staking money on outcomes

wagerStake on uncertainty
oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
jackpotAccumulated gambling prize

lottery · stakes · risk · speculation · high-stakes · payout · parlay · sportsbook · handicap · punt

underdog

darkhorse

Unlikely winner, previously unknown

outsiderOne excluded from group
sleeperOne at rest
upsetDisturb, topple, or shock

comeback · scrappy · underestimated · challenger · overcame · defied · persevere · tenacious · rookie · novice

photography

telephoto

Magnifying camera lens

zoomRapid movement or magnification
distanceSpace between two points
magnificationDegree of visual enlargement

compression · wildlife · paparazzi · surveillance · birding · safari · lens · crop · reach

longshot

improbable

betting

darkhorse

telephoto

longshot

Opposites

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