PhrasesHub

Go to hell in a handbasket

    Definitions

      • deteriorate or decline rapidly
        Used to describe a situation or person that is quickly falling apart or going downhill without any chance of recovery. Often used in a negative or critical sense.

      • to be headed for disaster
        Indicates that a situation or person is on a path towards failure, ruin, or destruction. Can be used to express frustration or disappointment with a situation that is not going as planned.

      • to be doomed
        Implies that a person or situation is destined for a negative outcome or unpleasant fate. Can be used in a dramatic or exaggerated manner to express extreme disappointment or frustration.

    Examples of Go to hell in a handbasket

    • The company's sales have been going to hell in a handbasket ever since the new CEO took over.

      This idiom means that the company's sales are declining rapidly and drastically. The phrase "going to hell" is used metaphorically to describe a situation that is getting worse very quickly. "In a handbasket" is a humorous addition to the phrase, as it suggests the speed at which things are falling apart is so quick that they are falling off a small handbasket as opposed to a larger container.

    • After the scandal broke, the politician's reputation went to hell in a handbasket.

      This idiom means that the politician's reputation has been severely damaged and is plummeting rapidly. The phrase "went to hell" is used metaphorically to describe a situation that is getting worse very quickly. "In a handbasket" is a humorous addition to the phrase, as it suggests the speed at which things are falling apart is so quick that they are falling off a small handbasket as opposed to a larger container.

    • The economy has been going to hell in a handbasket for the past few years.

      This idiom means that the economy has been declining rapidly and drastically over the past few years. The phrase "going to hell" is used metaphorically to describe a situation that is getting worse very quickly. "In a handbasket" is a humorous addition to the phrase, as it suggests the speed at which things are falling apart is so quick that they are falling off a small handbasket as opposed to a larger container.

    • The team's performance has been going to hell in a handbasket since their star player got injured.

      This idiom means that the team's performance has been declining rapidly and drastically since their star player got injured. The phrase "going to hell" is used metaphorically to describe a situation that is getting worse very quickly. "In a handbasket" is a humorous addition to the phrase, as it suggests the speed at which things are falling apart is so quick that they are falling off a small handbasket as opposed to a larger container.

    • Their business is going to hell in a handbasket.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where something is rapidly deteriorating or falling apart. The phrase "going to hell" is often used to describe something that is becoming increasingly worse or bad. The addition of "in a handbasket" is a figurative reference to the concept of something being carried off haphazardly or chaotically. In this example, it's being used to describe a business that is failing or experiencing a significant decline. By saying their business is "going to hell in a handbasket," you're implying that the situation is becoming increasingly dire or problematic.

    • Her relationships keep going to hell in a handbasket.

      This idiom is being used in a different context here, but the meaning is similar. By saying her relationships are going to hell in a handbasket, you're implying that her relationships are deteriorating quickly and becoming more and more problematic.

    • The company's stock is going to hell in a handbasket.

      This idiom is being used to describe a sudden or steep decline in the value of a company's stock. By saying the stock is going to hell in a handbasket, you're implying that the value is decreasing rapidly and uncontrollably.

    • The situation at work is going to hell in a handbasket.

      This idiom can be used to describe a variety of situations, including work environments or projects that are failing. By saying the situation is going to hell in a handbasket, you're implying that things are becoming increasingly chaotic, disorganized, or problematic.Overall, the phrase "going to hell in a handbasket" is a vivid and colorful way of describing a situation that is falling apart or deteriorating quickly and uncontrollably.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "go to hell in a handbasket" conveys a sense of rapid decline or destruction. It can be used to describe a situation or person that is quickly falling apart, is headed for disaster, or is doomed to fail. It is often used in a negative or critical sense to express frustration, disappointment, or a sense of hopelessness.

    Origin of "Go to hell in a handbasket"

    The exact origin of this idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in America in the mid-19th century. The phrase "go to hell" has long been used to express anger, disapproval, or contempt, and the addition of "in a handbasket" adds a sense of helplessness or lack of control. The use of "handbasket" as opposed to another container, such as a basket or cart, may be due to its smaller size and connotation of ease or convenience.

    One theory suggests that the idiom may have its roots in the Christian belief that the devil would carry souls to hell in a handbasket. This ties in with the idea of a rapid descent into destruction or damnation. Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from the use of handbaskets to carry food to prisoners in jail, implying that someone is on a path to a negative or confined fate.

    Regardless of its exact origin, "go to hell in a handbasket" has become a widely used idiom to convey a sense of rapid decline or doom. Its colorful imagery and strong language make it a powerful expression to convey frustration, disappointment, or a sense of hopelessness.