IdiomDaily Life
English
Englisha shot across the bow
Meaning: A warning of more serious action to come.
Example: “The union's one-day strike was a shot across the bow.”
Origin: Naval practice: firing a shot across the front (bow) of a ship, deliberately missing, ordered it to stop. The figurative sense is from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un coup de semonce Literally: A warning shot
More English idioms
- at a snail's pace Very slowly.
- no picnic Not easy or pleasant.
- the lean years A period of hardship and scarcity.
- worship the golden calf To value money and wealth above everything.
- a poisoned chalice Something that seems attractive but brings trouble to whoever accepts it.
- at the top of one's lungs As loudly as possible.
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