parting shot

American  

noun

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

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parting shot British  

noun

1. Also called: Parthian shot. a hostile remark or gesture delivered while departing

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parting shot Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of parting shot

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parting shot

Despite the parting shot from Kennedy, the US health secretary still speaks with Tedros on a regular basis.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

And as for any news on what direction her fourth album might take, for once she was short of words, giving a shrug, a cheeky smile and a parting shot of: "I dunno. We'll see."

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

Powell’s term as Fed chair is already supposed to end in May — so the investigation comes more as a parting shot as Powell decides whether to serve out his term as a Fed governor.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 25, 2026

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 ● Oct. 5, 2024

I tried to tell myself this terrible letter was just the futile and parting shot of a defeated Taliban.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

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