- handbasket
- noun Date: 15th century a small portable basket — usually used in the phrase to hell in a handbasket denoting rapid and utter ruination
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
handbasket
Look at other dictionaries:
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
handbasket — [hand′bas΄kit] n. Obs. a small basket a small basket to hell in a handbasket [Old fashioned Slang] to one s doom … English World dictionary
handbasket — /hand bas kit, bah skit/, n. 1. a small basket with a handle for carrying by hand. 2. go to hell in a handbasket, to degenerate quickly and decisively: The economy has gone to hell in a handbasket. [1485 95; HAND + BASKET] * * * … Universalium
handbasket — noun see go to hell in a handbasket hell 1 (23) … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
handbasket — hand•bas•ket [[t]ˈhændˌbæs kɪt, ˌbɑ skɪt[/t]] n. cvb a small basket with a handle for carrying by hand • go to hell in a handbasket Etymology: 1485–95 … From formal English to slang
handbasket — noun A basket with a handle … Wiktionary
handbasket — n. small woven basket with a handle … English contemporary dictionary
handbasket — noun a container that is usually woven and has handles • Syn: ↑basket • Hypernyms: ↑container • Hyponyms: ↑breadbasket, ↑bushel basket, ↑creel, ↑frail, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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
