a basket case idiom meaning

One other good phrase that he uses is “crack up,” which is another idiom that means to go crazy. From there, it comes to refer to a country or an organization that's having severe economic difficulties. The term originated in America after the First World War, indicating a soldier missing both his arms and legs, who needed to be literally carried around in a litter or “basket” though there are no records of any soldiers being carried in baskets. Your email address will not be published. Today, of course, it has further evolved to mostly be a slang phrase for someone with a mental disability, or someone who seems to have been moved to act in a crazy fashion for whatever reason. D ☞ Dark Horse: One who was previously unknown and is now prominent. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Funny enough, one of the earliest known documented instances of the phrase was actually in denial that “basket cases” actually existed, as found in a bulletin issued in March of 1919 on behalf of the United States Surgeon General: The Surgeon General of the Army… denies…that there is any foundation for the stories that have been circulated…of the existence of basket cases in our hospitals. But I don’t remember the title or author. An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. The Germans contributed “kaput,” from the German “kaputt,” which meant “done for.” Today it means something that’s broken or ruined. In that case, the song is aptly named after the modern meaning of the phrase. One of the most popular French words that was commonly used by English speakers after World War I was “souvenir,” which quickly overtook “memento” in popularity. " The origin of the phrase although much debated has been attributed to the gold rush where men were … In Australia, a popular term developed from World War I is “Anzac” which refers to the Australian and New Zealand Armed Corps. Basket definition, a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together. Meaning: A person or thing that is no longer able to function effectively, either through disability or misfortune. Example: I was a real basket case when I arrived home after my long trip. I… I… I invented the would nervous. For example: “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! ☞ Devil's Advocate: Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the arguement. Basketcase synonyms, Basketcase pronunciation, Basketcase translation, English dictionary definition of Basketcase. The following is a passage from an article on the origin of the idiom basket case:. Later this phrase lost some of its dark aura to mean something or someone who is unable to carry their own weight and is failing. according to Hoyle: Strictly by the rules: According to Hoyle, you are not allowed to enter this room. One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition. They also gave us “ersatz,” which originally referred to substitute foods and materials. basket case synonyms, basket case pronunciation, basket case translation, English dictionary definition of basket case. green around the gills basket case This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. Idiom. That Time the French Intentionally Bombed a Civilian Ship, What Those Nasty White Chunks That Sometimes Come From Your Throat Are, The Difference Between a Fact and a Factoid, Marilyn Monroe was Not Even Close to a Size 12-16, A Japanese Soldier Who Continued Fighting WWII 29 Years After the Japanese Surrendered, Because He Didn’t Know. Idiom: Definition: Usage: a basket case : a bitter pill to swallow : about time: more than long enough: It's about time that you returned that book to me. Definition: So upset or stunned that one is unable to function; in a hopeless condition. After World War II, the original meaning fell out of favor altogether, likely due to the lack of literal basket cases. The origins of this idiom are somewhat grisly. Meaning: total lack of interest in something Example: I have heard that my ex is going through another break-up, but I couldn't care less.Read on ), “Nose dive” originally referred to the WWI pilots’ tendency to sneak up and pounce on the enemy from above. ☞ Dead Ringer: 100% identical. a bee in her bonnet: upset, a … It can also mean … If Gloria has one more crisis, she'll be a basket case. The supposed origin came about during World War I and was used to describe servicemen that had all of their limbs either surgically or explodingly removed--leaving them as nothing more then torsos that would have to be carried in a basket. … Offensive. Some characteristics of a basketcase included emotional instability, weirdness, and constant isolation from mainstream society. Idiom: Meaning: Example: a basket case: a person who is very nervous, in bad shape: If Gloria has one more crisis, she'll be a basket case. The soldiers also sometimes made up words—like “lousy” and “crummy”. What does the idiom “Basket Case” mean? The meaning of this idiom is (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation.. a person who is very nervous, in bad shape. For example: “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. His first novel, Tourist Season, was named "one of the ten best destination reads of all time" by GQ Magazine, He is the author of eight other best-selling novels, Double Whammy, Skin Tight, Native Tongue, Strip Tease, Stormy Weather, Lucky You, Sick Puppy, and Basket Case.Together Hiaasen's novels have been translated into 21 languages, and the London Observer has called … Example : We went through the whole agenda, from soup to nuts.1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VII: [That cat] is a broken reed to lean on in the matter of catching mice.My own acquaintance with him is a longstanding one, and I have come to know his psychology from soup to nuts. a bed of roses: an easy life, a pleasant place to work or stay Who said that retirement is a bed of roses? Definition: So upset or stunned that one is unable to function; in a hopeless condition. More recently it has been used to denounce a failing organisation or scheme and is less often applied to people. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. We offer a collection of useful idioms, explanations of their meaning, and links to relevant stories that provide context. used especially in newspapers to describe a country, company, or organization that has very serious financial problems: The economy was described as a basket case, with mounting debt … It was an unpopular phrase which was used for men with no arms or legs and was used again after World War Two. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Basket case'? basket definition: 1. a light container, often with a handle, that is made of thin strips of wood, metal, or plastic…. Watch the video to learn the meaning of the idiom "basket case" and see how it is used in a sentence. a person or a thing that is not able to function properly; a failing scheme. pip-squeak) to 1910, and most sources agree that it is onomatopoeic, that is a word that is formed from a sound associated with what is named. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. “Fleabag,” as in “a fleabag hotel,” refers to grimy and unsuitable sleeping arrangements. Dictionary ! a bawling out: a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it: When I forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out. I’m sure they thought I was a complete basket case.’ But just what was the Surgeon General referring to when he said “basket case”? Yes, like in that Metallica video. Basket case. Find out the meanings of idioms and common sayings such as Nest Egg or New York Minute, and much more. The Oxford English Dictionary says the colloquial term “basket case” originated in the United States shortly after World War I, and meant “a … 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! Baker (1992,pp.26-43) states that the main strategies in translating idioms are: 1) using an idiom of similar meaning and form to the source language idiom, ( It must convey roughly the same meaning and be of equivalent lexical items); 2) using an idiom of similar meaning but different form (In this case the lexical items of an idiom are not TRANSLATING IDIOMS IN … To go “over the top” once meant to jump out of the trenches and toward the enemy. If someone describes a country or organization as a basket case, they mean that its economy or finances are in a seriously bad state. But she’s finally getting back to normal.” Notes: A basketcase is common word used to describe a social outcast in school. There were even some new items that hadn’t been named yet—like the “trench coat.”  (That coat in particular was developed to help officers fend off the cold, wet conditions in the trenches. Idiom Meaning: An idiom is a group of words that are used as a common expression whose meaning is not deducible from that of the literal words. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. Now it refers to a small, usually mildly annoying person or someone without significance. 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. Basket Case Lyrics: Do you have the time / To listen to me whine / About nothing and everything all at once? Basket of Goods Deconstructed . Idiom Meaning: a useless person who cannot cope . It makes reference in the form of a parabola to someone who has lost his mental health and has no cure. Pinky Burnette: Well, I… of course I was nervous. Again it was denied that the US army had any such servicemen. Here's an example of this idiom in a sentence:... See full answer below. Sometimes percieved as an insult, usually a stereotype or label. To go to hell in a handbasket means to go to one’s doom, to deteriorate quickly, to proceed on a course to disaster. Your email address will not be published. It wasn’t until World War II that the phrase prominently resurfaced. Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Basket case definition is - a person who has all four limbs amputated. An infirm or failing person or thing - unable to function properly. basket-case idioms. "Basket case" refers to a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy. Example Sentences. basket case (Idiom, English) — 1 translation (Greek.) Basket Case is an idiom. 40 Commonly Used and Popular English Idioms. ‘We're all emotional basket cases, and all we can do is find some crumb of comfort in sharing each other's pain.’ ‘I've never seen her as any kind of basket case or to be pitied.’ ‘I don't want my husband's friends talking about how his wife is a basket case.’ ‘Describe her as a basket case, and she nods her acquiescence.’ This preview shows page 2 - 4 out of 4 pages.. English idioms A basket case A crazy person A bull in a china shop someone who is very clumsy A grey area Something unclear A little birdie told me Someone told me a secret A piece of cake Very easy A rip of Too expensive Be in hot water Be in trouble Be in the same boat A basket case A crazy The term paved the way for Anzac Biscuits, a type of cookie developed for its ability to survive Australian-European transit and is now popularly eaten on Anzac Day, a sort of veterans or remembrance day, which is celebrated every year. a person who has had all four limbs amputated. a basket case. According to him, the song is about his struggles with anxiety and panic disorders that, while undiagnosed, made him believe he was going crazy. Starting in the 1950s, a "basket case" could be a vehicle that has missing parts or is in disrepair. Speculation does point to the use of 'bug' as something irritating as is the nature of insects. Learn more. I read the book many years ago, it seemed that it was well known, and I thought is very good, but I cannot recall the title or author. Required fields are marked *. The phrase is less used for people now and refers to failing organizations more. What does basket-case mean? Learn idiom definition, common idioms list in English with meaning, idiom examples and ESL pictures. Definition: A thing or person considered useless or not able to cope. What a basket case." Learn English Idioms. Early wheel chairs were often woven reed/wicker material and resembled a “basket”. Basket Case Meaning (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation. See more. a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it. What does basket case mean? It wasn’t ever publicly used to refer to any actual person. Today I found out how the phrase “basket case” came to mean “someone who is insane.” At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. Idioms are used frequently in both written and spoken English. What Happens in the Real World if You Find a Buried Treasure? There are times when the words spoken or written by someone take on a meaning that is somewhat exaggerated or only thinly associated with their literal definitions. The phrase has its origins in World War I. Origin: The phrase initially referred to soldiers who lost their limbs, and possibly originated in 1919, when rumors circulated that limbs of decapitated soldiers arrived in baskets at a hospital. At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. I’m sure they thought I was a complete basket case.’ “Pipsqueak” was a type of small German gun used in the trenches during the war, as well as a term used to refer to a second lieutenant. It originated as being applied to people, soldiers in particular, who had lost limbs and could not function by themselves and had to be carried. The next day, she expressed … Figurative phrases or popular expressions that children and English Language Learners (ELL) come across can be confusing because their meaning is different from each of their individual words. As you can imagine, the original meaning of “basket case” was never incredibly common. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. bug someone ❯❮ as calm as a toad in the sun, die hard Meaning: disappear or change very slowly, take a long time to cease to exist or be dropped from consideration. Head case definition is - nut. The literary origin of the phrase is no available. However, for a while the phrase expanded to mean someone with a physical disability who was unable to get around by themselves easily. Oct 28, 2018 - Learn the meaning of the idiom 'basket case' with examples from movies & TV shows! Basket definition, a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together. Were you always this nervous in the old days? How to use basket case in a sentence. The term basket case denotes someone, or something, that is incapable of functioning normally. I mean, I was what they called a… a basket case. The first citation of "basket case" in the Oxford English Dictionary is in 1919, soon after the end of World War I. So let’s take a look at the most popular idioms and common idioms in the English language and what they mean. ACE IN THE HOLE: a hidden but effective means of … a matter of opinion definition: something that depends on personal preference: . You can still find recent instances of this use. As right as rain describes someone in fine health, something in good working order, an idea that is correct, or a process that flows smoothly.As right as rain is also a simile, which is a phrase used in a sentence that is a comparison of one thing with something else using the word like or the word as. How to use head case in a sentence. Epic Rap Battles of History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes. How a Small Event That Nobody Really Cared About Led to WWI. For example, a baby bird might make noises that sound like a “pip” and “squeak” (squeak itself being an onomatopoeic). In that setting there were casualty patients who had lost, or lost control of limbs to the point that they were literally placed in wicker baskets and hung in them, rather than in cots. One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition: a man who became a basket case after his divorce; a country that is an economic basket case. noun Slang. One that caught our eye is "basket case." Of American-English origin, this term initially denoted a soldier who had lost all four limbs during the First World War —as stated in the following from the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) of Saturday 18th January 1919: English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. Noun: a person who displays such resistance ... Read on. Another slightly less well-known usage of the phrase today is to describe a business or organization that has been rendered helpless in some way—such as becoming wrapped up in a court case or filing for bankruptcy. I had been flying for over 30 hours, and two of the planes were delayed. Basket case definition, a person who has had all four limbs amputated. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms The phrase has its origins in World War I. Learn more. couldn’t care less. What does the idiom “Basket Case” mean? "Basket of deplorables" is a phrase from a 2016 presidential election campaign speech delivered by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on September 9, 2016, at a campaign fundraising event, which she used to describe half of the supporters of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump saying "They're racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic". This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. When this bulletin came out, many newspapers felt the need to define the phrase for their audiences, so apparently the phrase wasn’t widely used at this point. The word right, in this case, means straight, a common medieval definition of the … Origin See more. Subscribe to our new updates in your email. When a certain phrase takes on a new cultural meaning through popular usage, it is known as an idiom. 2Lts in most Commonwealth armies have a single Star of Bath (also called a ‘pip’ in military jargon) on their rank insignia. In World War I, there were cases reported which involved soldiers who lost both their arms and legs in battle. The WW I usage of ‘basket case’ is described, mostly without the term per se, in an excellent novel about WWI that includes action in a hospital detachment. The phrase go to hell in a handbasket is an American phrase which came into general use during the American Civil War, though its popularity has spread into other countries. The Origin of “Catch-22” and Other Words and Phrases, The Absolute Legend That was Timothy Dexter- First in the East and West and Greatest Philosopher in the Western World, The Curious Case of Radioactive Apartments. When I forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out. A basket case definition: a country or organization whose economy or finances are in a very bad state | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples It came from rumors about soldiers who had lost all of their limbs and had to be transported in a basket. basket case When a given situation has no solution. A basket of goods in the economic sense contains everyday products such as food, clothing, furniture, and a range of services. You should accept this job offer since this is your first job and that organization is a real basket case. The band Green Day has a song called “Basket Case” which was written by vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong. Learn more. a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. Its use was popularized by a World War I account by Arthur Guy Empey. In this case, a basket is referring to an order that has at least a certain amount of securities in it and also has a minimum dollar amount, all executed at the same time. a person or a thing that is not able to function properly, You should accept this job offer since this is your first job and that organization is a real. Knowing that he is such a basket case, how could she accept to marry him? Meaning of Idiom 'Basket Case' A basket case is a person who is so nervous or anxious they are completely incapacitated and so are considered nonfunctioning; Learn the full meaning of the English idiom 'basket case' and get examples of use in sentences as well as the origin of this expression. I grew up understanding a “basket case” was someone in an institution for the mentally ill who was taught and practiced basket-weaving for therapeutic reasons. The lower ranks simply had to make do. [ informal ] The country is an economic basket case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime. A Basket Case is an idiom, meaning a state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally. 1 a country or an organization whose economic situation is very bad: A few years ago, the country was an economic basket case, but now things are different. Example: The Greek economy took a nosedive after the 2008 world financial meltdown - to the point of becoming a total economic basket case. a breath of fresh air : absent minded: forgetful: She is really absent minded. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms … : One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. Where Did the Phrase “Take a Gander” Come From? The idiom “basket case” is actually only in the title, not in the lyrics. Example: She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding.

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