Phrase guide

parting shot

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An insult or barbed comment issued as the speaker departs or the conversation comes to an end.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • 22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club Cabin Boyhttp://www.avclub.com/articles/cabin-boy,71269/ When news arrives that the school must graduate Nathanial to official “Fancy Lad” status early and put him on the Queen Catherine first class to run the Mayweather in Hawaii, the headmaster dutifully complies, but Nathanial gets in a few parting shots on his way out the door.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Believed to be a variation of Parthian shot, referring to a military maneuver in which Parthian troops retreating on horseback turned back to face the enemy and shot while retreating.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: loppulaukaus — Translations
  • Finnish: viimeinen sivallus — Translations
  • French: flèche du Parthe — Translations