handbasket

American

[hand-bas-kit, -bah-skit] / ˈhændˌbæs kɪt, -ˌbɑ skɪt /

noun

a small basket with a handle for carrying by hand.

idioms

go to hell in a handbasket, to degenerate quickly and decisively.

The economy has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Etymology

Origin of handbasket

First recorded in 1485–95; hand + basket

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its bestselling handbasket tote requires a larger protective box to preserve its structured wicker shape.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

"I think they thought they could control it, and they realized that their recruiting efforts were going to go to hell in a handbasket if the truth about his death got out," he contended.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2023

“Givers of Death” belongs to a fascinating subgenre: The world has gone to hell in a handbasket, so what do you hold on to?

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2022

"There's a sense that everything going to hell in a handbasket, when it really isn't" she told Fox News.

From Fox News • Dec. 23, 2021

"Rome was always going to Hell in a handbasket, and finally it—" He paused.

From Occasion for Disaster by Garrett, Randall

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023