by a long shot

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by a long shot

1. (idiomatic, usually with a negative) By a wide margin; indicates a very big difference or disparity.

   He couldn't keep up with me, not by a long shot.

   He speaks better than he writes, by a long shot.

   • 1883, Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi:

     'Yes, I do recognize it now. It is the most wonderful thing I ever heard of; by a long shot the most wonderful--and unexpected.'

   • 1913, Jack London, The Valley of the Moon:

     Well, he won't find Billy Roberts a sissy by a long shot.

   • 1920, Sinclair Lewis, Main Street:

     See here: You KNOW you feel superior to folks. You're not as bad as I say, but you're not as good as you say--not by a long shot! What's the reason you're so superior?

• by far
• long shot
• by a long chalk
• wide of the mark