shit hits the fan

The point at which "the shit hits the fan" is the point at which an already unstable situation devolves into utter chaos, often in spite of--or even due to--a higher authority's attempt to control it.

"But what happens if the cops try to suppress the protest?"
"Well, then, the shit hits the fan."
"A full-scale riot?"
"Exactly."

by Shockz0rz November 7, 2008

shit hit the fan

Expression - A derivative of the original: "The excrement made physical contact with a hydro-electric powered oscillating air current distribution device". Used primarily to describe a set of circumstances where events became inflamed to a point that control was lost.

Her insults rolled of me like water but the shit hit the fan after she claimed to possess information leading to proof that my Mother wore Army boots.

by regedt32 April 6, 2004

shit hits the fan

When something like an argument, fight or a problem happens and it turns bad and/or gets out of control.

Property owner: "I'VE TOLD YOU THREE TIMES TO GET OFF MY PROPERTY! You need to leave NOW before shit hits the fan.

by Gohan Barracuda August 26, 2018

shit hits the fan

1. When the critical moment occurs, usually involves the culmination of some sort of crisis or scandal.

2. When shit is literally slung into a fan. (See the movie Airplane.)

When your wife finds out, the shit's gonna hit the fan.

by Stroll August 23, 2004

shit hits the fan

When things get chaotic or uncontrolable, shit has hit the fan.

3,000 people were waiting for the movie 7 hours before it opened. When it was announced that the movie would not be showing, 50 chimps on motorcycles parachuted down from the sky. The monkeys pulled out assorted automatic assault weapons and then the shit hit the fan.

by John_the_WOTist May 15, 2003

SHIT HIT THE FAN

An idiomatic expression used to convey that something disastrous has occured.

The moment I saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I knew that shit had hit the fan.

by Brian T November 25, 2003

SHIT HIT THE FAN

A term used when a situation goes from bad to worse. (When there is shit that stinks...thas bad. When shit hits a running fan, flings it all over the place, and spreads the wafting stank...thas WORSE!).

We were fuckin last night, right? An I yell out, 'KIM!!!' Her name was Krysta...and after that, THE SHIT HIT THE FAN.

by Joshiro007 February 12, 2003