a variation of draw a long bow, exaggerate. A longbow is a large bow drawn by hand, as that used by English archers from the 12th to the 16th centuries. It is said that a good archer could hit between the fingers of a man's hand at a considerable distance, and could propel his arrow a mile. The tales told about longbow exploits fully justify the application of the phrase. —SHSBC Binder 22 Approved Glossary