IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchLa flèche du Parthe
Meaning: A wounding remark delivered while leaving.
Literally: The Parthian shot
Example: “En claquant la porte, elle a lancé une flèche du Parthe sur son salaire ridicule.” — Slamming the door, she fired a parting shot about her ridiculous salary.
English equivalent: A parting shot
Equivalents in other languages
English: a parting shot
Origin: Parthian horse archers shot backwards over the saddle while riding away, a tactic that made a retreat dangerous to pursue. English says parting shot, which is a corruption of the same phrase.
More French idioms
- Un pétard mouillé A revelation that was supposed to explode and did not.
- Peu ou prou More or less; to some degree.
- Y a pas photo It's not even close; there is no question about it.
- Ne tirez pas sur le pianiste Do not blame the person who is only doing their best with what they were given.
- Qui va piano va sano Slow and steady is the surer way.
- Prendre le train onze To go on foot.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Avec des si, on mettrait Paris en bouteille Speculating about what might have been is pointless.
- Faute de grives, on mange des merles When you can't have what you want, you make do with what's available.
- Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre Patience is rewarded in the end.
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