a shot across the/someone's bow(s)

phrase

: a warning to not do something or to stop doing something

The fine is a shot across the bow to an industry that thinks it can ignore the law.

Examples of a shot across the/someone's bow(s) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the unified appearance of American labor in Sacramento (leaders from other states were also present) was a shot across the bow to let Newsom and other politicians know that unions want action on the issue — or else. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

The Twins hit the reset button, the Wild made big moves and Napheesa Collier sent a shot across the bow of WNBA leadership after another amazing season. — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025

OpenAI's blockbuster chip-buying agreement with Advanced Micro Devices appears to be a shot across the bow at market leader Nvidia . — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025

The conservative House Freedom Caucus, which includes several critics of the bill, sent a shot across the bow Monday. — Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 30 June 2025