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12 PHRASE If you describe something as a long shot , you mean that it is unlikely to succeed, but is worth trying. □  The deal was a long shot, but Bagley had little to lose.

13 PHRASE People sometimes use the expression by a long shot to emphasize the opinion they are giving. [EMPHASIS ] □  The missile-reduction treaty makes sweeping cuts, but the arms race isn't over by a long shot.

14 PHRASE If something is shot through with an element or feature, it contains a lot of that element or feature. □  This is an argument shot through with inconsistency.

15a shot in the dark → see dark

shot|gun /ʃɒ tgʌn/ (shotguns ) N‑COUNT A shotgun is a gun used for shooting birds and animals which fires a lot of small metal balls at one time.

sho t|gun we d|ding (shotgun weddings )

1 N‑COUNT A shotgun wedding is a wedding that has to take place quickly, often because the woman is pregnant.

2 N‑COUNT A shotgun wedding is a merger between two companies which takes place in a hurry because one or both of the companies is having difficulties. [BUSINESS ]

sho t put N‑SING In athletics, the shot put is a competition in which people throw a heavy metal ball as far as possible. ●  shot put|ter (shot putters ) N‑COUNT □  …muscle-bound 6ft 6in shotputters.

should ◆◆◆ /ʃəd, STRONG ʃʊd/ Should is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. 1 MODAL You use should when you are saying what would be the right thing to do or the right state for something to be in. □  I should exercise more. □  The diet should be maintained unchanged for about a year. □  He's never going to be able to forget it. And I don't think he should. □  Sometimes I am not as brave as I should be. □  Should our children be taught to swim at school?

2 MODAL You use should to give someone an order to do something, or to report an official order. □  All visitors should register with the British Embassy. □  The European Commission ruled that British Aerospace should pay back tens of millions of pounds.

3 MODAL If you say that something should have happened, you mean that it did not happen, but that you wish it had. If you say that something should not have happened, you mean that it did happen, but that you wish it had not. □  I should have gone this morning but I was feeling a bit ill. □  You should have written to the area manager again. □  I shouldn't have said what I did.

4 MODAL You use should when you are saying that something is probably the case or will probably happen in the way you are describing. If you say that something should have happened by a particular time, you mean that it will probably have happened by that time. □  You should have no problem with reading this language. □  The doctor said it will take six weeks and I should be fine by then.

5 MODAL You use should in questions when you are asking someone for advice, permission, or information. □  Should I or shouldn't I go to university? □  Please could you advise me what I should do? □  Should I go back to the motel and wait for you to phone?

6 MODAL You say ' I should ', usually with the expression 'if I were you', when you are giving someone advice by telling them what you would do if you were in their position. [FORMAL ] □  I should look out if I were you!