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parting shot
noun
- a threat, insult, condemnation, sarcastic retort, or the like, uttered upon leaving.
parting shot
noun
- a hostile remark or gesture delivered while departing Also calledParthian shot
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Word History and Origins
Origin of parting shot1
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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]Discover More
Example Sentences
But Morris declined to take a parting shot, instead expressing gratitude to Ailes for making him a rich man.
A 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.
It was Mrs. Codling who, brave to the last, and woman-like, gave the parting shot.
With that as a parting shot, he returned to his seat, leaving the three boys wondering just who he might be.
And with that parting shot Paul went on his way to his own desk, leaving the office-boy greatly puzzled.
But why had that impossible young American ruined a pretty compliment by her parting shot?
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from 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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