Going to hell in a handbasket

Meaning

The idiom "going to hell in a handbasket" is used to describe a situation or person that is deteriorating rapidly, often in an unexpected or dramatic way. It suggests that the situation is getting worse at an alarming rate and that it may not be able to recover from its current state.

Usage

• The company's stock price has been dropping steadily, and investors are starting to panic. They fear that the company is going to hell in a handbasket.
• After years of neglecting her health, Sarah was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She was devastated and felt like she was going to hell in a handbasket.
• The politician's popularity has been on the decline lately, and many people are starting to question his leadership skills. They feel that he is going to hell in a handbasket.
• The city's infrastructure is in dire need of repairs, and residents are becoming frustrated with the lack of progress. They feel like the city is going to hell in a handbasket.
• The student was struggling with his studies and felt overwhelmed by the amount of work he had to do. He felt like he was going to hell in a handbasket. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used to describe a person, a situation, or even an idea. It can also be used to express a sense of hopelessness or despair.

Roots and History

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it has been in use since at least the 17th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the idea of a person holding onto a handbasket as they descend into hell. Another theory suggests that it comes from the idea of a person being swept away by a stream or river, much like a handbasket being carried down a steep incline. The idiom's meaning has remained relatively consistent over time, but its usage has evolved to reflect changing cultural and social values. In contemporary language, the idiom is often used to express a sense of urgency or desperation.

Synonyms in English

• Going downhill fast
• Heading towards disaster
• Falling apart at the seams
• Spiraling out of control
• Losing ground rapidly

Synonyms in other languages

• En route vers l'enfer (French) - Literally means "on the way to hell"
• Vadkärva (Swedish) - Means "frightening" or "terrifying"
• Dreißig Pfeifer im Traum (German) - Literally means "thirty pipers in a dream" and is used to describe a situation that seems too good to be true
• 闪烁的狎狸人 (Japanese) - Means "a flashy wolf" and is used to describe someone who appears successful on the surface but has hidden flaws
• 我们走进地狱，不是因为很耐受挫折而是因为很嚴心保护自己的安全和利益 (Chinese) - Literally means "we walk into hell, not because we are resilient to hardship but because we are very cautious about protecting our safety and interests"

Similar Idioms

• go for broke

• sleep tight

• go round in circles