bit of a shit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bit of a shit" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and somewhat vulgar.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is annoying, unpleasant, or disappointing in a light-hearted or humorous way. Example: "He's a bit of a shit when it comes to following through on his promises, but we still like having him around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

On once encountering Joseph Stalin, he said: "He was a bit of a shit really".

The Guardian

For his part, Dickens "comes over as a bit of a shit in this film, but he's not wholly that.

The Guardian - Film

It feels risky to me, because I know that Dylan is a bit of a shit in the second half of the book.

The New Yorker

"Everyone is quick to say Dickens was a bit of a shit, did not treat his wife very nicely … but he was churning with creative imagination.

The Guardian - Film

At Christmas you come together and go, 'OK, maybe that was a bit of a shit year' – but you have the perhaps naïve hope that next year will be better".

Independent

I'm not sure what your question is?" It's hard to understand how she can have had such a reaction to a bit of a shit joke, but not that bad a joke.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I love it in part because the show, and its creator (like many interesting showrunners, both male and female), tends to be a bit of a shit-stirrer in itshit-stirrer in, "The Mitsy Project" has a mischievous tendency to destabestzepisodesewers, by swinging sweeTheo sour within a single joke.

The New Yorker

Unsurprisingly, these results caused a bit of a shit-storm in Westminster.

Vice

I suggest to Bray that the negotiations are, so far, a bit of a shit-show.

Vice

We all have that one friend who is a bit of a shit-stirrer; if there's drama unfolding among your circle of friends, you'll hear about it from them.

Huffington Post

So it was no huge surprise that their gala dinner on Thursday night turned into a bit of a shit-show.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "bit of a shit" sparingly and be mindful of your audience, as it is considered vulgar and may not be appropriate in all contexts. Consider using milder alternatives such as "a bit of a mess" or "a bit of a nuisance" in more formal or sensitive situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bit of a shit" in professional emails, academic papers, or presentations. The informal and vulgar nature of the phrase is generally unsuitable for such environments, and may negatively impact your credibility. Always consider your audience and the tone of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bit of a shit" primarily functions as a descriptive term, adding a negative attribute to a person, situation, or object. As Ludwig AI notes, it's considered correct and usable, but informal and vulgar.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bit of a shit" is an informal and vulgar way to describe something or someone unpleasant or disappointing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness but advises caution due to its potential to offend. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and should be avoided in formal settings. Consider using milder alternatives like "a bit of a mess" or "a bit of a nuisance" when a more polite expression is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit of a mess

Replaces "shit" with a milder term, indicating disarray or disorder instead of strong negativity.

a bit of a nuisance

Substitutes the vulgarity with a polite term, denoting something causing mild inconvenience.

a tad unpleasant

Replaces the noun with an adjective and adverb, reducing the impact and intensity of the statement.

somewhat disagreeable

Formal alternative, indicating a lack of agreement or harmony; less crude.

a slight disappointment

Focuses on the feeling of letdown rather than the negative quality itself, softening the expression.

rather unfortunate

Emphasizes the bad luck or regrettable nature of something without assigning blame or strong negativity.

a bit of a disaster

Amplifies the negativity to a greater scale of failure or ruin.

a pain in the neck

Idiomatic expression conveying annoyance or trouble.

a tough situation

Shifts focus to the difficulty of the circumstances rather than a person's negative traits.

a real problem

Highlights the troublesome aspect of something, removing the informal tone.

FAQs

What does "bit of a shit" mean?

The phrase "bit of a shit" is an informal and somewhat vulgar expression used to describe someone or something that is annoying, unpleasant, or disappointing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bit of a shit"?

It's generally appropriate only in very informal settings with people you know well and who won't be offended by the language. Avoid using it in professional or formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "bit of a shit"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a bit of a mess", "a bit of a nuisance", or "somewhat disagreeable".

Is "bit of a shit" considered offensive?

Yes, the word "shit" is generally considered vulgar and offensive. While the phrase can be used humorously, it's important to be aware of the potential to offend and to use it judiciously.