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Going to hell in a handbasket

To be going to hell in a handbasket is to be rapidly deteriorating - on course for disaster.
Simply put, things get worse and worse and don't seem to get better.
The virus is killing millions of people and thousands of people got laid off. I hate to tell you this but things going to hell in a handbasket.
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Going to hell in a handbasket

Going to hell in a handbasket is defined as a situation, a place, or a person, or an object headed for disaster inescapably and/or precipitately. When used to describe an object or a house, it means that the object or house is becoming derelict, dangerous to live in, a hazard, and incredibly damaged, or already is.

Synonyms "going to hell in a handcart", "going to hell in a handbag", "go to hell in a bucket", "sending something to hell in a handbasket" and "something being like hell in a handbasket".
Example 1
Person 1: That hoarder house went to hell in a handbasket after that tree branch collapsed the roof.

Person 2: The owner still hasn't repaired the roof.

Example 2
To individuals observing the United States of America from outside of the United States of America during the last 5 years, it looks like the United States of America is going to hell in a handbasket.

Going to hell in a handbasket

In the 1890s in San Fransciso there was a popular hooker named Helena who was recognizable in that she always carried a small handbasket instead of a purse or handbag; hence she acquired the nickname "Helena Handbasket". Sailors arriving in the port would often say things like "I'm gonna look up Helena Handbasket tonight" or in announcing their intention of what to do after a night at the bar, "Now I'm going to Helena Handbasket", which by association with the sinful nature of the activity involved, became the mondigreen, "going to hell in a handbasket".
Hey dude, if you don't stop chasing so much pussy you're going to hell in a handbasket.

you're going to hell in a hand basket 

Not merely "going to hell", but going to hell easily and rapidly; beyond hope.
Now you've REALLY gone and done it; you're going to hell in a hand basket.

you're going to hell in a hand basket 

that what you are doing is so bad that, you are going down by the law or with someone that you've hurt and;or you have sinned alot. the devil is carring the basket personally
you cheated on her and when she finds out; you're going to hell in a hand basket
well known from south park
rednecks get angrry that future folk took there jobs so they yell
They took ouare jerbs!
Them future folk took ouare jerbs!
jerb by Jimberley Kim April 7, 2005
Word of the Day on May 22, 2026
An Irish phrase meaning shit, derived from ass
(Not to be confused with the literal description of one's buttocks)
"Did you hear the song Aylek$ dropped?"
"Hardly. Her music is absolute cheeks."

"My boyfriend say LaFlame is cheeks."
"Tell your boyfriend I said it's his mixtape that's cheeks."
Cheeks by thecartisan April 26, 2020
Word of the Day on May 21, 2026