a shot across the bow
4
7.7
- idiom
:
una advertencia
- It will be a shot across the bow of the federal behemoth and maybe wake people up and have them take a closer look at the Constitution.
But if you read that as him trying to fire a shot across the bow, because if he actually does that, he's a moron just to be nice and cut and dry.
- But if you read that as him trying to fire a shot across the bow, because if he actually does that, he's a moron just to be nice and cut and dry.
Examples
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Everyone loves a conspiracy, and this one holds that this was the Treasury's way of firing a shot across the bow of those who choose to hold expensive issues for the sole purpose of deriving positive carry in the repo market.
Blog text (22) -
One widespread view is that the anti-satellite (ASAT) test was a shot across the bow of U.S. military power.
Academic text (2007) -
It would also be a shot across the bow for the financial industry.
Blog text (13) -
It would also be a shot across the bow for the financial industry.
Blog text (13) -
It will be a shot across the bow of the federal behemoth and maybe wake people up and have them take a closer look at the Constitution.
Blog text (15) -
One widespread view is that the anti-satellite (ASAT) test was a shot across the bow of U.S. military power.
Academic text (2007) -
Everyone loves a conspiracy, and this one holds that this was the Treasury's way of firing a shot across the bow of those who choose to hold expensive issues for the sole purpose of deriving positive carry in the repo market.
Blog text (22) -
In a booklet released by the group that presented his findings, Luntz fired a shot across the bow of Israel21c when he observed: "You can't get beyond the conflict until you get beyond the conflict."
Academic text (2009) -
In a booklet released by the group that presented his findings, Luntz fired a shot across the bow of Israel21c when he observed: "You can't get beyond the conflict until you get beyond the conflict."
Academic text (2009) -
The new policy was a shot across the bow, indicating tougher regulations might come next.
Synonyms
5
3.4
A firm, serious statement that tells someone to stop wrong or dangerous behavior
3
5.6
A sign or notice that something bad will happen
A message that tells leaders about a possible attack so they can prepare
How Threatening
348
7.0
- Formal
143
7.6
10
6.3
4
7.7
∞
1.0
229
1.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase evokes the literal image of firing a 'shot' 'across' a ship's 'bow' as a warning, so a learner who knows the constituent words and basic nautical imagery can infer the sense of an early warning or threat. However, the meaning is a figurative extension from a specific scenario and relies on world/nautical knowledge and pragmatic inference, so it is not fully predictable for a typical B1 learner without that background.
Etymology
A shot across the bow comes from old ships warning another ship by firing a single gun shot across its front, the bow, without trying to hit it. That harmless warning said 'stop or else', so today the phrase means an 'early warning' or a mild 'threat'.