"Sorry! It was--a misfire, I think."
"What?" cried the outraged Admiral. "A _misfire_? Both barrels--of both
guns?"
I did not hear the answer to this. I was looking at Dolly. Her face
could not be seen, for she was kneeling down a little distance away,
assiduously fondling the silky ears of a highly-gratified red setter.
And I realised then that some expressions are capable of a metaphorical
as well as a literal interpretation.