when the shit hits the fan
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(the) shit hits the fan
rude slang Things have become suddenly very chaotic, disastrous, difficult, or controversial. The company has been trying to distance itself from the outspoken director before he says something horribly offensive and the shit really hits the fan. I know you think your job is secure, but you should always be prepared in case shit ever hits the fan. He seems qualified on paper, but how do you think he'll perform under pressure when the shit hits the fan?
when (the) shit hits the fan
rude slang The point at which things become suddenly very chaotic, difficult, or disastrous. The company had been in turmoil for a while, but it was when their CEO made several racist remarks on air that shit really hit the fan. He seems qualified on paper, but how do you think he'll perform under pressure when the shit hits the fan?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
when the shit hits the fan
Sl. when all the expected trouble materializes. When the shit hits the fan, you had better be prepared to support those of us who are involved in this mess.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
the shit hits the fan
INFORMAL, VERY RUDEIf the shit hits the fan, serious trouble suddenly starts. If I was them, I'd be planning to pull out before the shit hits the fan. Then Gene heard about the matter and the shit really hit the fan. Note: People sometimes replace shit with a less offensive word. Tom visited us in Canada shortly before the stuff hit the fan.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
when the shit hits the fan
when a situation becomes critical; when the disastrous consequences of something become public.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
(when) the ˌshit hits the ˈfan
(taboo, slang) (when) somebody in authority finds out about something bad or wrong that somebody has done: When the committee finds out what actually happened, the shit will really hit the fan.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
when the shit hits the fan
tv. when all the expected trouble materializes. (Usually objectionable.) When the shit hits the fan, you had better be prepared to support those of us who are involved in this mess. We had one hell of an afternoon around here. Where were you when the shit hit the fan?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
when the shit hits the fan
When the situation goes awry; when trouble starts.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.