You've got a bit of pomposity going there, don't you? I need no lessons from you in either English or armaments.
Well, you need lessons from somebody
Words have meaning. So do metaphor.
I believe it would be either "so does metaphor" or "so do metaphors." And you're a college professor ? In the College of Education?
My initial post to you was meant to be humorous, merely pointing out that the metaphor was wrongly applied and indicated a lack of familiarity with the origin of the phrase. Your snappish response "Step Off" indicates that you and McCain share an uneven and unfortunate temperament.
I am done, sir.