Words mean different things depending on context
Police officers responded to a domestic dispute, accompanied by Marines. They had just gone up to the door when two shotgun birdshot rounds were fired through the door, hitting the officers. One yelled “cover me!” to the Marines, who then laid down a heavy base of fire. The police officer had not meant “shoot” when he yelled “cover me” to the Marines. [He] meant point your weapons and be prepared to respond if necessary. However, the Marines responded instantly in the precise way they had been trained, where “cover me” means provide me with cover using firepower. Over two hundred bullets [were] fired into that house.”
James D. Delk, Fires & Furies: The L.A. Riots
