parting shot
An insult or barbed comment issued as the speaker departs or the conversation comes to an end.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He left with a rude parting shot.”
“After they argued about the project, she walked out and delivered a sharp parting shot.”
“As he exited the courtroom, the defendant offered a final, bitter parting shot that left the judge speechless.”
disputed origin
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.
- 01
big shot
A person with a reputation of importance or power.
- 02
chip shot
Something that is easy to do or to achieve.
- 03
give it one's best shot
To make one's best effort or attempt; to try as hard as possible.
- 04
long shot
Something unlikely; something that has little chance of happening or working; long odds
- 05
parting of the ways
a separation of two things or people because of a disagreement, a point of divergence, especially an important one
- 06
shot across the bow
A warning that negative consequences will be faced if something is carried out or allowed to continue.
- 07
shot heard round the world
Any cataclysmic event
- 08
shot in the dark
A guess, attempt, or choice made with little or no evidence or knowledge.
Last updated August 10, 2026