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hit the fan

phrase

: to have a major usually undesirable impact

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hit the dirt
hit the fan
hit the gas
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Cite this Entry

“Hit the fan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit%20the%20fan. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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