parting shot
a threat, insult, condemnation, sarcastic retort, or the like, uttered upon leaving.
Origin of parting shot
1Words Nearby parting shot
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use parting shot in a sentence
But Morris declined to take a parting shot, instead expressing gratitude to Ailes for making him a rich man.
Dick Morris’s Fox Exit Latest Fall—and Rise?—of a Political Survivor | Matt Taylor | February 7, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTA loud cheer arose from our decks: a parting shot was given her from our gun, and in two hours darkness hid her from our sight.
Peter the Whaler | W.H.G. KingstonIt was Mrs. Codling who, brave to the last, and woman-like, gave the parting shot.
The Life of Thomas Wanless, Peasant | Alexander Johnstone WilsonWith that as a parting shot, he returned to his seat, leaving the three boys wondering just who he might be.
The Ranger Boys and the Border Smugglers | Claude A. LabelleAnd with that parting shot Paul went on his way to his own desk, leaving the office-boy greatly puzzled.
Tales of Fantasy and Fact | Brander Matthews
But why had that impossible young American ruined a pretty compliment by her parting shot?
The Honorable Percival | Alice Hegan Rice
British Dictionary definitions for parting shot
a hostile remark or gesture delivered while departing: Also called: Parthian shot
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with parting shot
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]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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