shot across the bow
向對方發出警告或示威來預示即將發生的沖突或爭議
書面/口語·發出警告或威脅
英文釋義
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.
典故來源
源自海軍戰術，向敵船船頭前方開炮以示警告，若不服從則直接攻擊。