Ret's Weekend English Roundup ✦ Week 42, 2026

View this lesson in your browser WEEK 42 • 2026 A five-minute English lesson for your weekend THIS WEEK'S EXPRESSION It’s a long shot idiom  |  /ɪts ə ˈlɒŋ ʃɒt/ MEANING It’s a long shot means something has only a very small chance of success or of happening. En français : C’est peu probable • Ça a peu de chances de réussir. How is it used? This informal idiom is used when you know the chances are slim but you try anyway, or simply to acknowledge that something is unlikely. It often appears with “but”. The expression comes from early firearms, which were inaccurate at long distances. Useful patterns: It’s a long shot • It was a long shot • That’s a long shot • I know it’s a long shot, but… SEE IT IN CONTEXT 1 I know it’s a long shot, but could you check if there are any tickets left?   2 Getting the promotion this year is a long shot — there are too many strong candidates.   3 Finishing the report by tomorrow is a long shot, but we’ll do our best. QUICK CHECK Which sentence uses It’s a long shot correctly? A. It’s a long shot that I walked to the station this morning. B. She scored a long shot from the penalty area. C. Asking for a day off tomorrow is a long shot, but I’ll try. D. It’s a long shot the weather yesterday. Answer: C. The idiom refers to something with a very small chance of success. A and D are grammatically incorrect, and B uses “long shot” in its literal sports sense. YOUR TURN Complete these sentences: I know it’s a long shot, but ________. Getting ________ is a long shot. Trying to ________ is a long shot, but let’s give it a go. Reply to this email with your own sentence. I read every reply. Hear “It’s a long shot” in real English → Listen to several speakers. Notice how they link the words smoothly: it’s a long shot. EXPLORE FURTHER WordReference  •   Linguee  •   Cambridge Dictionary Enjoyed this lesson? Share it by email  •  Subscribe Unsubscribe  •  View online © October 2026 Rethabile Masilo • Ret's Word of the Day