In Reply to: Re: Shit the bed posted by Smokey Stover on January 04, 2009 at 23:13:
: : In a discussion about the term "Shit the bed" I turned here for clarity and found none. My thoughts on the term are that it refers to someone dying; as in the condition many dead bodies are found in. Is this incorrect? I have heard the term used to describe a broken down car, the meaning being that it may not be worth revival. Another use being in the description of a plan gone wrong; "everything shit the bed" etc.
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: Are you saying that you have heard it used in one or more of the ways you describe? I have heard it only with a single meaning. When someone shits the bed, it means that they have shit in it. Have you heard otherwise, and are you certain?
: SS
"Shit the bed" does mean a complete and obvious failure but it's human rather than a mechanical failure. I think I first heard it in the late 80's. I don't hear it much if at all anymore, thank goodness.