shit hits the fan, (when) the

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the shit hits the fan

INFORMAL, VERY RUDE
If the shit hits the fan, serious trouble suddenly starts. If I was them, I'd be planning to pull out before the shit hits the fan. Then Gene heard about the matter and the shit really hit the fan. Note: People sometimes replace shit with a less offensive word. Tom visited us in Canada shortly before the stuff hit the fan.
See also: fan, hit, shit
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(when) the ˌshit hits the ˈfan

(taboo, slang) (when) somebody in authority finds out about something bad or wrong that somebody has done: When the committee finds out what actually happened, the shit will really hit the fan.
See also: fan, hit, shit
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

shit hits the fan, (when) the

There’ll be a violent reckoning, big trouble. This vulgar slangy term dates from about 1930. Some believe it alludes to feces being thrown about by a revolving fan. Morris West wrote, “We’ll have it back on the wires in time for the Monday editions . . . Then the shit hits the fan. It might be wise if you went away” (Harlequin, 1974; cited by Eric Partridge).
See also: hit, shit
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • SHTF
  • hit the fan
  • fan out
  • fan the breeze
  • one true pairing
  • on waivers
  • what do I know
  • What does (one) know?
  • rooting interest
  • become a fan of (someone or something)