a shot across the bows

Meaning

1. a shot across the / sb's bows

   something that you say or do as a warning to sb about what might happen if they do not change, etc.

In the movies · 1

• I'm talking about a shot across the bow.Arrival2016

From the same entry

• like a shot
• a shot in the arm
• a big noise
• call the shots
• a shot in the dark
• a long shot
• not by a long chalk
• parting shot
• be shot of
• shot through with
• have shot your bolt
• be like shooting fish in a barrel