What Does "To Hell in a Handbasket" Mean?
"To hell in a handbasket" is an English idiom. It is a phrase used to describe a situation that is rapidly deteriorating or becoming chaotic.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "to hell in a handbasket" used in a sentence:- The once-thriving neighbourhood has gone to hell in a handbasket due to rising crime rates.
- The company's financial stability has been going to hell in a handbasket ever since the scandal broke.
- If we don't address the environmental issues, the planet could go to hell in a handbasket.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "To Hell in a Handbasket" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "to hell in a handbasket" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
