they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance

The phrase "they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance" is an idiom used to express that someone's aim or accuracy is extremely poor. It suggests that even if the target were as large as an elephant, they still wouldn't be able to hit it from the current distance. This phrase generally implies a lack of skill or competence in various contexts, such as sports, shooting, or any situation that requires precise aiming or targeting.