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Recently, I've noticed confusion, in certain sections of the press, over common metaphors involving "stab" or "shot" and "back" or "dark". Guesswork and treachery are some of the metaphors, but things can soon get hard to follow. Here is my attempt to clear things up with some definitions.

Shot in the back -- metaphorically: bad, act of coward (unless delivered by health care professional to relieve pain in back (good))

Shot in the arm -- metaphorically: something that perks you up; or act of health care professional; both good (or literally: suffered gunshot wound to arm (bad)).

Shot in the dark --  metaphorically: a wild stab, anybody's guess (or literally: shot in darkness (bad))

Wild stab - metaphorically: a guess, a shot in the dark, anybody's guess (or literally: stab inflicted by someone not aiming, or one whose aim is impaired by anger or other causes.)

Stab in the dark -- metaphorically: the same as shot in the dark (or literally: stab in darkness, or by someone guessing the target in a dark enviroment)

Stab in the back -- metaphorically: treachery, act of traitor; bad (possibly in darkness, but not always. Literally: stab in back; may require a shot in the back to relieve pain (good)).