Parthian shot
- a sharp, telling remark, act, gesture, etc., made in departing.
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Origin of Parthian shot
First recorded in 1900–05; so called from the ancient Parthian cavalry's habit of shooting arrows rearward at the enemy while in real or feigned flight
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Parthian shot
- another term for parting shot
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Word Origin
alluding to the custom of Parthian archers who shot their arrows backwards while retreating
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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