ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make shit of

idiom
Meaning

To ruin or destroy.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of Irish caca dhéanamh de rud.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't make shit of this project before the boss sees it.

CONTEXTUAL

He tried to fix the engine himself, but he ended up making shit of the whole machine.

COMPLEX

The inexperienced manager made shit of the company's reputation by ignoring the safety warnings from his staff.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    and shit

    Used after one or more listed objects, attributes or processes to indicate additional others.

  3. 03

    beat the shit out of

    To beat (someone) severely.

  4. 04

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  5. 05

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  6. 06

    does the Pope shit in the woods

    Obviously! Rhetorical question in response to a question where the answer is an emphatic yes.

  7. 07

    don't shit where you eat

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

  8. 08

    dumb shit

    Alternative spelling of dumbshit.

Last updated April 17, 2026