shot across the bow

Definitions

A warning that negative consequences will be faced if something is carried out or allowed to continue.

idiomatic

Equivalents

2 more languages

Suomivaroituslaukaus

Svenskaprejskott

Examples

“President [Franklin] Pierce, like⟳ a great war ship, fired two shots across the bows of the Congress, to bring⟳ matters to.”

“Scientists considered collectively are remarkably single-minded in their views about what is important and what is not. If a graduate student gives a seminar and no one comes or no one asks a question⟳, it is very sad, but not so sad as the question⟳ gallantly put⟳ by a senior or a colleague that betrays that he hasn't listened to a word. But it is a warning sign⟳, a shot across the bows.”

“Though I have⟳ fired a few shots across the bows of some of my critics, notably the late Professor Lon Fuller and Professor R[onald] M[yles] Dworkin, I have⟳ hitherto made no general comprehensive reply⟳ to any of them; I have⟳ preferred to watch⟳ and learn⟳ from a most instructive running debate⟳ in which some of the critics have⟳ differed from others as much as they have⟳ differed from me.”

“That part of the release⟳ wouldn't so much be a warning shot across the bow as one aimed right at the bridge, Kealty thought.”

“In fact, many members of Congress sought to influence⟳ or halt decision making altogether—firing shots across the bow designed to intimidate the adjudicators before a decision could be made. This sort⟳ of interference was and is entirely inconsistent with the rule⟳ of law.”

“While I'm persuaded by the Chairman's bona fides in this area, I think⟳ this is a shot across the bow. I'm sure the Attorney General and his representatives can discern what import and I hope⟳ the sentiment of the full Committee are.”

“This is often used as a "shot across the bow," warning the borrower how seriously the lender views the default.”

“This was a shot across the bow of the Florida justices, a warning against further activism in this case, but one with relatively little practical significance at this late date⟳.”

“Before punishing, place⟳ a shot across the bow—provide⟳ a clear warning to let⟳ people know⟳ exactly what negative things will happen⟳ should they continue⟳ down their current path, but don't actually administer discipline yet.”

“Perhaps her refusal to marry⟳ him would be the shot across the bows Jack needed to help⟳ him face⟳ his demons. But somehow she doubted it.”

CEFR level