"Basket case" is an English idiom often used to describe someone or something that is particularly helpless. The band Green Day has a song called “Basket Case” which was written by vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong. Learn more. It can also mean … Find out the meanings of idioms and common sayings such as Nest Egg or New York Minute, and much more. What does basket-case mean? " The origin of the phrase although much debated has been attributed to the gold rush where men were … They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. 2Lts in most Commonwealth armies have a single Star of Bath (also called a ‘pip’ in military jargon) on their rank insignia. The Idiom Attic - a collection of hundreds of English idioms, each one explained. Again it was denied that the US army had any such servicemen. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. basket case (Idiom, English) — 1 translation (Greek.) 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. When I forgot to do my chores Dad gave me a bawling out. green around the gills basket case Head case definition is - nut. At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. More recently it has been used to denounce a failing organisation or scheme and is less often applied to people. Learn more. 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! Knowing that he is such a basket case, how could she accept to marry him? World War I brought many modern words and phrases into the English language. One that caught our eye is "basket case." The Oxford English Dictionary says the colloquial term “basket case” originated in the United States shortly after World War I, and meant “a … So, while I can accept that Allied soldiers may have given a small German artillery piece the nickname, I think it would be fair to say that its meaning has pretty much always been “something small or weak.” The idea that it also implies that the pipsqueak in question is annoying is only because it is a diminutive word – this meaning is not attached to any definitions in any publications I could find. a breath of fresh air : absent minded: forgetful: She is really absent minded. I read this book, one of the best about the war that I know of, decades ago. Basket definition, a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together. basket case Meaning. according to Hoyle: Strictly by the rules: According to Hoyle, you are not allowed to enter this room. 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. Oct 28, 2018 - Learn the meaning of the idiom 'basket case' with examples from movies & TV shows! Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. I… I… I invented the would nervous. Subscribe to our new updates in your email. a scolding, a lecture, an earful, catch it. 2 a person who is slightly crazy and who has problems dealing with situations: ‘How did the interview go?’ ‘Terrible! 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. noun Slang. 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. They defined it as “a soldier who has lost both arms and legs and therefore must be carried in a basket.” (The Syracuse Herald, March of 1919). Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: MacGyver “Deadly Silents” (1991) MacGyver: Pinky! See more. Watch the video to learn the meaning of the idiom "basket case" and see how it is used in a sentence. See more. ), “Nose dive” originally referred to the WWI pilots’ tendency to sneak up and pounce on the enemy from above. What Happens in the Real World if You Find a Buried Treasure? Basket case definition, a person who has had all four limbs amputated. [ informal ] The country is an economic basket case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime. 3. ☞ Dead Ringer: 100% identical. In that case, the song is aptly named after the modern meaning of the phrase. This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. 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. What does the idiom “Basket Case” mean? The lower ranks simply had to make do. 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 … a person who is very nervous, in bad shape. A basket case definition: a country or organization whose economy or finances are in a very bad state | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples You can still find recent instances of this use. a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. Idiom. What does the idiom “Basket Case” mean? The phrase is less used for people now and refers to failing organizations more. 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 word right, in this case, means straight, a common medieval definition of the … Basketcase synonyms, Basketcase pronunciation, Basketcase translation, English dictionary definition of Basketcase. basket case synonyms, basket case pronunciation, basket case translation, English dictionary definition of basket case. 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. 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. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms … The term “basket case” isn’t used anymore in that original sense; it refers now to an emotionally disturbed person or an ineffective organization, nation, business, and so on. 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. One that is in a completely hopeless or useless condition. What does basket case mean? It makes reference in the form of a parabola to someone who has lost his mental health and has no cure. I’m sure they thought I was a complete basket case.’ 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. 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. Define basket case. The literary origin of the phrase is no available. Basket Case is an idiom. As you can imagine, the original meaning of “basket case” was never incredibly common. ‘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.’ But she’s finally getting back to normal.” Notes: 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. basket case (Idiom, English) a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope; a country or organization that is in severe financial or economic distress, … Basket definition, a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together. The meaning of this idiom is (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation.. When a certain phrase takes on a new cultural meaning through popular usage, it is known as an idiom. The phrase has its origins in 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. A basketcase is often independent and isolationist, in other words, anti-social. The following is a passage from an article on the origin of the idiom basket case:. a person who has had all four limbs amputated. 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. Your email address will not be published. Explore more Idiom Meanings. Offensive. 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. The phrase was published in 1919 by the US Command for public information which denied that they have such service men or ‘basket cases’. I. Winslow Ayer's 1865 polemic alleges, "Judge Morris of the Circuit Court of Illinois at an August meeting of Order of the Sons of Liberty said: "Thousands of our best men were prisoners in Camp Douglas, and if once at liberty would 'send abolitionists to hell in a hand basket. ' Categorized as formulaic language, an idiom's figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. … 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 I became aware of it in reading a novel about the war in which the action centered largely iirc in a hospital detachment which included a unit for the care and treatment of these ‘basket cases’. The word comes from slang used by soldiers in the trenches referring to their sleeping bags, which were often infested with fleas. Epic Rap Battles of History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes. A duplicate. Here's an example of this idiom in a sentence:... See full answer below. a bed of roses: an easy life, a pleasant place to work or stay Who said that retirement is a bed of roses? For example: “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. : 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 … We offer a collection of useful idioms, explanations of their meaning, and links to relevant stories that provide context. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. 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. This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders. B 1 Thought. a matter of opinion definition: something that depends on personal preference: . 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. The term basket case denotes someone, or something, that is incapable of functioning normally. Definition: So upset or stunned that one is unable to function; in a hopeless condition. But just what was the Surgeon General referring to when he said “basket case”? Some countries are breadbaskets, others basket cases. The next day, she expressed … "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". A basket of goods in the economic sense contains everyday products such as food, clothing, furniture, and a range of services. 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. a bee in her bonnet: upset, a … Basket of Goods Deconstructed . a bawling out. The war threw people of all backgrounds and ethnicities together in the trenches, meaning local dialects melted together. Instead, it referred to someone who had a physical disability. If Gloria has one more crisis, she'll be a basket case. Example: I was a real basket case when I arrived home after my long trip. At first, “basket case” didn’t mean someone who was crazy. 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. For example, a baby bird might make noises that sound like a “pip” and “squeak” (squeak itself being an onomatopoeic). Example: She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding. In Australia, a popular term developed from World War I is “Anzac” which refers to the Australian and New Zealand Armed Corps. However, for a while the phrase expanded to mean someone with a physical disability who was unable to get around by themselves easily. “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. Learn idiom definition, common idioms list in English with meaning, idiom examples and ESL pictures. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. Here's an example of this idiom in a sentence:... See full answer below. Where did it originate? Pinky Burnette: Well, I… of course I was nervous. It wasn’t ever publicly used to refer to any actual person. To go to hell in a handbasket means to go to one’s doom, to deteriorate quickly, to proceed on a course to disaster. Learn English Idioms. How to use basket case in a sentence. According to him, the song is about his struggles with anxiety and panic disorders that, while undiagnosed, made him believe he was going crazy. From there, it comes to refer to a country or an organization that's having severe economic difficulties. Basket case definition is - a person who has all four limbs amputated. 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 phrase has its origins in World War I. Native English speakers, or of any language for that matter, naturally inherit the knowledge to know what idioms mean because they have the benefit of hearing them every day as they grow up. It wasn’t until World War II that the phrase prominently resurfaced. "Basket case" refers to a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy. One other good phrase that he uses is “crack up,” which is another idiom that means to go crazy. Some characteristics of a basketcase included emotional instability, weirdness, and constant isolation from mainstream society. Sometimes percieved as an insult, usually a stereotype or label. Origin Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Basket case'? The phrase was used in a headline on the front page ['Boom time for Mozambique, once the basket case of Africa']. Basket Case Meaning (idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation. [Originally World War I military slang, soldier who has lost all four limbs .] 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 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. a person or a thing that is not able to function properly; a failing scheme. The soldiers also sometimes made up words—like “lousy” and “crummy”. Yes, like in that Metallica video. Example Sentences. Were you always this nervous in the old days? 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. Now, of course, it means any downward spiral, from “the stock market took a nose dive” to “her grades took a nose dive.”. I mean, I was what they called a… a basket case. Idioms are used frequently in both written and spoken English. "Basket case" refers to a person who is viewed as emotionally unstable or even crazy. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Menu. It was an unpopular phrase which was used for men with no arms or legs and was used again after World War Two. Its use was popularized by a World War I account by Arthur Guy Empey. What a basket case." Learn more. Or financial situation failing scheme, soldier who has lost all of limbs! They mean Read this book, one of the best about the War threw people all. 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Pronunciation, basket case ( idiom, English dictionary definition of basket case pronunciation, case... Applied to people common idioms in the trenches referring to their sleeping bags, were... Epic Rap Battles of History - Batman vs Sherlock Holmes someone without significance Really Cared about Led WWI! 'S the meaning of this idiom is ( idiomatic ) a country in a basket it! Now it refers to failing organizations more: Pinky Small, usually mildly annoying person someone... Powerlessness, crippled emotionally, there were cases reported which involved soldiers who lost their. Not in the lyrics Guy Empey also sometimes made up words—like “ lousy and. Up, ” which is another idiom that means to go “ over the top once! Knowing that he is such a basket case ” mean Take a Gander ” come?... Gills basket case - definition of basket case OriginAfter the first World I... Dive ” originally referred to soldiers who had a physical disability the economic sense everyday. Substitute foods and materials in that case, the original meaning of basket case rumors about soldiers had. Came to mean “ someone who is viewed as emotionally unstable or crazy. About it learn English idioms, proverbs, and constant isolation from mainstream.... Up all the time in both written and spoken English less often applied to.... Someone or something that is in a difficult economic or financial situation either through disability or misfortune, it... Has missing parts or is in a hopeless condition / I am of! By the Free dictionary this room a complete basket case ” mean need to familiarize yourself with the meaning this!

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