A strike across the bow

Los Angeles Times legal correspondent Harry Litman tweeted: “Wow. DOJ wants to hold Trump in contempt for violation of subpoena. A natural outgrowth of the trickling out of documents and failure to comply with subpoena from last May. But quite a strike across the bow.” This is a mashup of “shot across the bow” (a verbal or physical attack meant to serve as a warning) and perhaps “strike a blow” (to do something that contributes to another’s defeat). Bow and blow are similar looking words. Also a “strike across the face” (invitation to a duel) could be in play.

A shout out to Yvonne Stam for spotting this one and sending it in.