# shit the bed

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/shit-the-bed
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of a person or thing, to fail, often in a complete and irreparable fashion.

## Examples

- My old car finally shit the bed on the highway.
- The team was winning the game until the quarterback shit the bed in the final quarter.
- After the company's primary server shit the bed during the launch, the entire project collapsed into total chaos.

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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.