It's a metaphor, see: You put the killing thing right between your teeth, but you don't give it the power to do its killing.
John GreenHow about I call you when I finish this?โ โBut you donโt even have my phone number,โ he said. โI strongly suspect you wrote it in the book.โ He broke out into that goofy smile. โA nd you say we donโt know each other.
John GreenBut as for me: I must ask the wounded man where he is hurt, because I cannot become the wounded man. The only wounded man I can be is me.
John Green