shit sandwich

shit sandwich (plural shit sandwiches)

1. (slang, vulgar, idiomatic) Something highly undesirable that is rendered more acceptable or palatable by the addition of more tolerable or agreeable components.

   Synonyms: poop sandwich (euphemism), dirt sandwich, booger sandwich

   • 1997 April 17, David Wild, “'News Radio': Series creator Paul Simms talks about the highly likely cancellation of the NBC sitcom”, in Rolling Stone, retrieved 19 February 2017:

     People are starting to realize Thursday night is like a big double-decker shit sandwich with three good pieces of bread, and in between ... don't print that.

   • 2012 April 30, Fred R. Shapiro, “13 Crazy, Dirty Modern Proverbs”, in Daily Beast, retrieved 19 February 2017:

     Life is a shit sandwich: the more bread you have, the less shit you eat.

   • 2017 February 17, Kevin Drum, “K.T. McFarland Is Too Much to Swallow, So Robert Harward Turns Down NSA Position”, in Mother Jones, retrieved 19 February 2017:

     After Michael Flynn resigned/was fired as National Security Advisor, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the top prospect to replace him turned out to be Retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward. . . . Harward pulled out, reportedly calling the offer a "shit sandwich."