shot across the bow

== English == === Etymology === From the naval tactic of firing a warning shot across the bow or front portion of a ship in order to force it to stop or alter its course. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɒt əˌkɹɒs ðə ˈbaʊ/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃɑt əˌkɹɔs ðə ˈbaʊ/ Rhymes: -aʊ === Noun === shot across the bow (plural shots across the bow) (idiomatic) A warning that negative consequences will be faced if something is carried out or allowed to continue. Synonym: warning shot ==== Alternative forms ==== shot across the bows ==== Translations ==== === References === “a (warning) shot across the bows”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.