parting shot

Related to parting shot: Parthian shaft

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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

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
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

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
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • a parting shot
  • parting shot, a
  • Do I make myself clear?
  • labor the point
  • labour the point
  • Did I stutter?
  • parting
  • come to a parting of the ways
  • dead serious
  • between you, me, and the lamppost
References in periodicals archive
And now, thanks to Sessions' parting shot, that means it's no one's job.
JEFF SESSIONS DEALS ONE MORE BLOW TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR
"Linwood Barclay seems as if he walked into the world with an uncanny ability to construct perfectly tense plots, which goes some way to making up for the deficiencies in Parting Shot....
Parting Shot
Rock on Stu and, in the words of the Buddhist prayer he'd use as a parting shot whenever we met: "May your house be safe from tigers."
PICTURE THIS..
Erice took a parting shot at the Davao mayor: But Duterte, busy with the campaign, has already abandoned his daily chores.
They're barking up the wrong tree-LP
I replied: "I know of a single mother with two school-age children, who has been evicted for owing less than half of that 'pittance' you refer to." His parting shot was that it was down to the leader not him.
Give us the tax facts
I HAVE SEEN THE article "Parting Shot" only once, in the D-Day issue of WWII dated Spring 2014 [our Remembering D-Day special issue].
Ending with a Parthian shot
However, the parting shot from the educational psychologist was that even if the child is found to be dyslexic, there will be no extra help at school because of funding difficulties.
The fight goes on; Your say
JOE COLE has delivered a parting shot at Fabio Capello by claiming England would have a better chance of winning Euro 2012 under Harry Redknapp than him.
Cole: Cap didn't fit.. Harry does
In a scathing parting shot, Mr Clark flatly denied "improperly" extending a relaxation of entry controls and said he was suing for constructive dismissal.
'Vindictive' May is criticised by Straw; Border chief row heaps on pressure
Summary: Karren Brady has fired a parting shot at Richard Keys after he left his role at Sky, claiming he has "added insult to injury."
Karren Brady criticises departing Keys
But yesterday she aimed a parting shot at Birmingham supporters who barracked the Villa striker with obscene songs about his mother at last Sunday's derby - before he scored the only goal of the match.
Brady's chants disgust
CRICKET: Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu has been unveiled as a Delhi Jets player for the inaugural Indian Cricket League (ICL) season - but could not resist one last parting shot at his country's selectors.
Cricket: Parting shot
SYLVAIN DISTIN fired a parting shot at Manchester City's lack of ambition after Portsmouth's reported pounds 40,000-a-week offer saw off a late bid by Liverpool to take him to Anfield.
IN BRIEF: Distin questions City's ambition
This is to be the final installment of CEO Journal, and, as a parting shot, I insist on repeating something that I've mentioned in this column (and its predecessor) dozens of times over the past 14 years:
A parting shot
Any humorist or comedian likes to have a parting shot. In Art Buchwald's case, his parting shot was actually a shot in the arm for the hospice industry.
Art Buchwald's parting shot