Shot Across the Bow

What does the idiom “shot across the bow” mean?

 

Definition:

A shot across the bow is a warning against continuing with a course of action.

 

For example :

“The bombing raid was a shot across the bow, warning of more serious military action later.”

“Let’s file a complaint with regulators about their sales techniques. That’ll be a shot across the bow. If they don’t stop, we’ll go ahead with the lawsuit.”

The idiom comes from naval combat; the bow (rhymes with cow) is the front part of a ship, so a shot fired across the bow is a warning not to continue farther.

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