shot across the bow
向对方发出警告或示威来预示即将发生的冲突或争议
书面/口语·发出警告或威胁
英文释义
a warning or threat, especially delivered in a confrontational or assertive manner
例句
The CEO's warning about budget cuts was a shot across the bow for the entire department.
典故来源
源自海军战术，向敌船船头前方开炮以示警告，若不服从则直接攻击。