Aside from the relatively obvious use of the phrase (to designatedefecation), "take a shit" as a phrase can apply to mechanical devices. An apparatus which wears out or breaks down at a very inconvenient time can be said to "take a shit".
Synonyms for take a shit
On this page, you will find 30 slang terms related to take a shit. Some of the top words include: dropping the cosby kids off at the pool, shazam, dagnabbit, HeatMizer, squinch, and 25 more.