I guess the word metaphor means nothing to both of you, right?
I think we’re both aware of the multiple meanings of the word “field”, and that it wasn’t being used in a metaphorical sense, in the first instance. However, ‘field’ isn’t a word usually associated with “bows”. The phrase “shot across the bow” has become a cliche; and most people don’t think about it’s literal origin. A pirate boat may receive a shot across the bow (literally). When you’re talking about a group of people receiving a “shot across the bow”, you’re speaking metaphorically. It was the wrong metaphor to use with the collective noun “field”.