shot across the bows

The phrase "shot across the bows" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a warning or a signal made to someone with the intention of cautioning or deterring them. It originates from naval warfare, where ships would fire a shot in front of an enemy vessel, just across its bow, to convey a warning or show their readiness to engage in combat if necessary. Today, the phrase is commonly used in a metaphorical sense to indicate a clear message sent to someone as a way of giving them notice or expressing disapproval, typically in an attempt to prevent further actions or conflicts.