# don't shit where you eat

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dont-shit-where-you-eat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One should not cause trouble in places, groups, or situations that one holds as important or necessary to one's happiness or well-being.

## Examples

- Don't date your coworkers; don't shit where you eat.
- You should avoid starting a fight with your landlord because you don't shit where you eat.
- He wisely refrained from alienating his core group of collaborators, mindful of the old adage that one should never shit where one eats.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.