Syn: basket.
[WordNet 1.5]
{go to hell in a handbasket} to deteriorate substantially and quickly; as, after they lost the contract, the company's profits went to hell in a handbasket. [PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
hell in a handbasket — See go to hell in a handbasket … English idioms
go to hell in a handbasket — go to hell (in a handbasket) to become worse in quality or character. The roads in this part of the country are going to hell in a handbasket. Related vocabulary: go to pot Etymology: based on the idea of being carried to hell (= a place for… … New idioms dictionary
go to hell in a handbasket — go to hell in a handbasket/handcart American, informal if a person or system is going to hell in a handbasket, they are in an extremely bad state and becoming worse. He believes the welfare system in this country is going to hell in a handcart … New idioms dictionary
go to hell in a handbasket — go to hell feeling peaceful or unconcerned, ignorance is bliss We don t get involved in issues. We re wasting our lives and going to hell in a handbasket! … English idioms
To hell in a handbasket — Going to Hell in a handbasket or Going to hell in a handcart is an English alliterative phrase of unclear origin, describing something or a situation taking a turn for the worse or towards disaster without effort or in great haste. There are… … Wikipedia
go to hell in a handbasket (or handcart) N. Amer. — go to hell in a handbasket (or handcart) N. Amer. informal deteriorate rapidly. → hell … English new terms dictionary
to hell in a handbasket — adverb To a bad state of affairs quickly. I watched as the guy in charge did nothing and the whole place went to hell in a handbasket … Wiktionary
go to hell in a handbasket — Meaning Form of oath may bad things happen to you . Origin There seems to be no known source of this phrase, which originated around the turn of the 20th century. Speculation, but it may go like this: the handbasket is a reference to a wheelchair … Meaning and origin of phrases
hell — like, adj. /hel/, n. 1. the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; Gehenna or Tartarus. 2. any place or state of torment or misery: They made their father s life a hell on earth. 3.… … Universalium
handbasket — hand bask*et n. a container that is usually woven and has handles. Syn: basket. [WordNet 1.5] {go to hell in a handbasket} to deteriorate substantially and quickly; as, after they lost the contract, the company s profits went to hell in a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
