go to hell in a handbasket

go to hell in a handbasket
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 handbasket. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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

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