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3. not by a long shot

not by a long shot

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not by a long shot

Fig. not by a great amount; not at all. Did I win the race? Not by a long shot. Not by a long shot did she complete the assignment.

See also: long, not, shot

not by a long shot

not at all “Do you think it's as good as her last movie?” “ No, not by a long shot.”

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form not do something by a long shot: We haven't eliminated the disease by a long shot.

See also: long, not, shot

not by a long shot

  (informal) also not by a long chalk (old-fashioned)

something that you say when you think something is not at all true 'Do you think it's as good as her last movie?' 'No, not by a long shot.' It's not over yet, not by a long chalk, we still have a very good chance of winning.

See also: long, not, shot