Good analogy. Thank you. Good questions also. I will offer my answers.
What is really being said? That I should not have said I could overcome the thugs, unless I really could. If I had said I could and the thugs are approaching me with chains and switchblades, then my supposed-partner would say I underestimated the thugs
What can be learned? Don't mess with thugs unless you are prepared for a long fight you are confident you can win.
Marcy