a shot across the bow



a shot across the bow

a warning to stop doing something The lawsuit is a shot across the bow to businesses that are competing unfairly.
Etymology: based on the military practice of aiming a shot across the bow ( a small explosion in front of a ship) to force it to stop
See also: across, bow, shot

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
LeviLEE-vie (English), LE:-vee (Dutch)Hebrew, English, Dutch, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Zikmund-Czech
LanaLAH-nə (English)English, Russian, Croatian, Serbian
Jaime (2)JAY-meeEnglish
Herleif-Norwegian
KayetanKAH-ye-tahnGerman