by a long way en · ADP
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To a considerably large extent, easily. Typically used in the negative to indicate something far removed and not easily altered.
“Now this won’t do - not by a long way”.
1863 Hedderwick's miscellany of instructive and entertaining literature, ed. by J. Hedderwick. (1863). United Kingdom: (n.p.).p.180