shit the bed

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

shit the bed (third-person singular simple present shits the bed, present participle shitting the bed, simple past and past participle shit the bed or shat the bed)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see shit,‎ bed.
2. (chiefly US, idiomatic, of a person or thing) To fail, often in a complete and irreparable fashion.
   • 2008, Dave Zeltserman, Small Crimes, →ISBN, p. 41 (Google preview):

     “[H]ow was I supposed to know Dan Marino would shit the bed and lose that game by nineteen points?”

   • 2012, Tom Ryan, Way to Go, →ISBN, p. 6 (Google preview):

     “Yep, I totally shit the bed on that exam. Guess I'll be sticking around this place for another year.”

   • 2013, Stephen King, Under the Dome, →ISBN, p. 266 (Google preview):

     “We're almost ready. If the damn copier doesn't shit the bed, that is.”