parting shot, a

parting shot

A final, usually critical remark made specifically to have an impact on the listener(s). He couldn't resist getting a parting shot in at the hiring manager as he stormed out of her office.See also: parting, shot

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] See also: parting, shot

a ˌparting ˈshot

(also a ˌParthian ˈshot) a remark or action, often an unkind one, that somebody makes just as they are leaving: As Jim walked out of the door, his parting shot was, ‘I never want to see any of you again.’Parthia was a kingdom in ancient times. The Parthians used to fire arrows at the enemy as they were retreating from battle.See also: parting, shot

parting shot

n. the last word; a final comment before departing. His parting shot concerned some comments about my ability to do simple math. See also: parting, shot

parting shot, a

A final insult hurled as one is leaving, or the last word in an argument. Most authorities agree that this term is a distortion of Parthian shot, alluding to the ancient Parthians (first century b.c.), renowned archers and horsemen, who would turn in flight to discharge arrows at the pursuing enemy. There is no firm evidence for this etymology, but it seems reasonable. John Galsworthy used the term in A Man of Property (1906): “He could not resist a parting shot, ‘H’mmm! All flourishing at home? Any little Soameses yet?’” See also: parting

parting shot

The last word. At the end of a heated discussion or argument, you unleash a zinger of a remark as you leave. You've just made a parting shot. The phrase is very often said as “Parthian shot.” The Parthians were a Persian tribe that developed the cavalry tactic of retreating in order to draw their enemy after them, whereupon they would turn in the saddle and fire a barrage of arrows. Although some scholars say “parting” came from “Parthian,” others say it's coincidental.See also: parting, shot