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Eudora Thao
2021-02-01 12:02
Parting shot / Parthian shot British noun phrase
A remark as an insult or last word you make when you are leaving on the purpose of creating a stronger impact on listeners. Often used in an argument.
"I never want to see any of you again." was Mina's parting shot before she had gone off.
Every single word he left in the letter before leaving was his parting shot.
The phrase is very often said as "Parthian shot." The Parthians were a Persian tribe that developed the retreat cavalry tactic in order to draw their enemy after them, after which they would turn a barrage of arrows into the saddle and fire. While some scholars say that "parting" originated from "Parthian," others say it's coincidental.
Most authorities agree that this term is a Parthian shot distortion, referring to the ancient Parthians, renowned archers and horsemen, who would turn in flight to discharge arrows at the pursuing enemy (first century b.c.). For this etymology, there is no firm evidence, but it seems reasonable. In A Man of Property, John Galsworthy used the expression (1906).
Do you see anything wrong?
1. A type of soup that contains small pieces of pasta shaped into letters.
2. A mixture of letters which make you confused to understand, usually acronyms or abbreviations
1. I enjoyed alphabet soup when I was young.
2. The name of the organization is an alphabet soup of A.D.B which stands for Asian Development Bank.
