parting shot

noun

1. a threat, insult, condemnation, sarcastic retort, or the like, uttered upon leaving.

parting shot

noun

1. a hostile remark or gesture delivered while departing Also calledParthian shot

Word History and Origins

Origin of parting shot¹

First recorded in 1890–95; perhaps by folk etymology from Parthian shot

Idioms and Phrases

A final insult or last word in an argument, as in As she stalked out, Jane hurled as a parting shot , “ And I quit! ” This idiom apparently originated as a corruption of Parthian shot , referring to the practice of ancient Parthian warriors of turning back to shoot at their pursuers. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

And the judge's parting shot carried, perhaps, just a hint of exasperation.

From BBC

Penn State was just getting started even if the Bruins did deliver a parting shot with Martin’s late touchdown pass.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the Huskies haven’t been elite in a long time and Saturday’s 91-75 defeat — UW’s eighth straight loss to Arizona — was one last parting shot from the Wildcats before they head to the Big 12 next season.

From Seattle Times

She is evasive when asked about reported sightings of Navarro — who we see walking onto the ice, alone, then standing on a porch next to Danvers in the parting shot of the season.

From Los Angeles Times

As Remi packed her bags, Margery delivered a parting shot that was nonsensical but somehow devastating: When the big one comes, you won’t even notice it’s happening.

From Slate

Related Words

• comment
• explanation
• feedback
• interpretation
• justification
• key
• observation
• rebuttal
• remark
• report
• resolution
• response
• result
• return
• sign
• solution
• statement