red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning

proverb A red sky at sunrise is a sign that bad weather will follow. The full phrase is "Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning." I think we're going to get a bad storm today. Look at that sunrise—red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning.

Scarborough warning

No warning. The phrase might refer to a surprise attack on the castle of Scarborough in the 16th century. Primarily heard in UK. Well, that thunderstorm came through with a Scarborough warning—it wasn't supposed to rain today at all.

trigger warning

A statement at the beginning of an article or video advising that its content might be upsetting, especially for trauma survivors. At least that graphic article came with a trigger warning.

warn (one) away (from someone or something)

To caution one to leave or not to come near someone or something. The first noun or pronoun can also come after "away." Police had to warn people away from the wild bear, as they kept wanting to get close enough to take a photo. The government put up a sign warning away any potential hikers. My parents tied to warn me away from him, but I just found him too irresistible.

warn (one) off (from someone or something)

To caution someone to leave or not to come near something. The first noun or pronoun can also come after "off." The government put up signs warning off any potential hikers from the area. I held my shotgun across my chest as I warned the ruffians off from my land.

warn about (someone or something)

1. To provide information in advance about the risks or dangers associated with someone or something. Analysts have been warning about a likely downturn in the economy for months now, so this dip in the market shouldn't come as a surprise. Police are warning about a number of escaped inmates who are at large in the area.

2. To caution someone about someone or something; to inform someone about the risks or dangers of someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "warn" and "about." My mom always warns me about the dangers of texting while driving. You need to warn him about Allison before he falls prey to her usual tricks.

warn against (something)

To caution (someone) not to do something that is dangerous or risky. A noun or pronoun can be used between "warn" and "against." My mother always warned me against hanging out with hoodlums like you, and now I know why. Doctors are warning against spending too much time outside during this week's heatwave.

warn of (someone or something)

1. To provide information in advance about some potential source of harm, danger, or trouble. Analysts have been warning of a likely downturn in the economy for months now, so this dip in the market shouldn't come as a surprise. Police are warning of a number of escaped inmates who are at large in the area.

2. To caution someone about something; to inform someone of the risks or dangers of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "warn" and "of." My mom always warns me of the dangers of texting while driving. I wish someone has warned me of her kleptomania before we started dating.

warning bells start ringing

Some issue indicates that one should be concerned about a potentially greater problem or troubling situation. warning bells started ringing among the board members when sales continued to decline for the second straight If your date asks you to meet in a secluded place, warning bells should start ringing.

warning bells start to ring

Some issue indicates that one should be concerned about a potentially greater problem or troubling situation. warning bells started to ring among the board members when sales continued to decline for the second straight If your date asks you to meet in a secluded place, warning bells should start to ring.

See also: bell, ring, start, to, warning

warning shot

1. Literally, the firing of a weapon to signal an impending attack and/or to urge the opponent into surrender. We're almost at the shore—send up a warning shot before we land.

2. By extension, something used to signal future events and/or to urge people into a particular course of action. This petition is just a warning shot, saying that we'll be arrested if we keep playing our music so loud. I say, turn it up!

warning shot across the bow(s)

A display of strength or aggression meant to serve as a warning to others. It refers to a warning shot from a ship, and can take the form of words or actions. Her sharp retort was a warning shot across the bow, letting her boyfriend know that she would not tolerate his bad attitude. The president is planning a military exercise along the border as a warning shot across the bows of her neighbors to the east.

a shot across the bows

a warning shot across the bows

FORMAL

COMMON A shot across the bows or a warning shot across the bows is something that someone does or says to show someone else that they are prepared to fight or compete with them, often if they continue to do what they are doing. `Bows' is pronounced with the same vowel sound as the word `how'. As a warning shot across the bows of their rivals, the company is already setting very low prices. This vote is a protest, a shot across the bows to the leadership, to show them that we're here. Note: You can also use the shorter expression a warning shot. The protest should act as a warning shot to the government. Note: People often use the verb fire before these expressions, and, less often, verbs such as deliver and send. Britain's agriculture minister departed from his prepared speech to fire a shot across Norway's bows. The electorate has sent a warning shot which our politicians must now take notice of. Note: The bows are the front part of a ship.

a warning shot across the bows

a statement or gesture intended to frighten someone into changing their course of action.

Literally, a shot fired in front of the bows of a ship is one which is not intended to hit it but to make it stop or alter course.