shit the bed

present singular third person shits the bed · participle present shitting the bed · participle past shat the bed · past shat the bed

1. USidiomaticslangvulgarOf a person or thing, to fail, often in a complete and irreparable fashion or to be up early getting work done or showing up early when times before you have been late.

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

   2013, Stephen King, Under the Dome, →ISBN, page 266

   2 more examples

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

   2008, Dave Zeltserman, Small Crimes, →ISBN, page 41

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

   2012, Tom Ryan, Way to Go, →ISBN, page 6

   Synonyms: wet the bed

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see shit, bed.