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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. { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_HDX' }}, userIds: [{ }); { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '555365', size: [160, 600] }}, { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_topslot' }}]}, Idiom / Phrase Meaning Example Sentence apple of my eye an adored person My precious daughter is the apple of my eye. 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She would act totally normal until my parents left. B 1 Thought. iframe: { { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_topslot' }}, },{ window.ga=window.ga||function(){(ga.q=ga.q||[]).push(arguments)};ga.l=+new Date; basket case (n.) 1919, American English, originally a reference to rumors of quadriplegics as a result of catastrophic wounds suffered in World War I (the U.S. military authorities vehemently denied there were any such in its hospitals), from basket (n.) + case (n.2). dfpSlots['rightslot'] = googletag.defineSlot('/23202586/cdo_rightslot', [[300, 250]], 'ad_rightslot').defineSizeMapping(mapping_rightslot).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'mid').setTargeting('hp', 'right').addService(googletag.pubads()); { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654156' }}, { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971080', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195466', size: [728, 90] }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195464', size: [120, 600] }}, var pbHdSlots = [ iasLog("criterion : cdo_t = doing-and-achieving"); In the mid-1940s, "basket case" is used to refer to an ineffective or powerless person. { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_leftslot' }}]}, { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_MidArticle' }}, "authorizationFallbackResponse": { googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(false); // FIXME: (temporary) - send ad requests only if PlusPopup is not shown In civilian usage the term was applied to an emotionally unstable person who is … You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: the use of electronic devices such as smart phones, laptop computers, and tablets as teaching devices, Bubbles and a breakthrough: the language of COVID (update), Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. A basketcase is common word used to describe a social outcast in school. iasLog("criterion : sfr = cdo_dict_english"); “After Elena’s boyfriend broke up with her, she was a basket case. The term basket case denotes someone, or something, that is incapable of functioning normally.. 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 18 th January 1919:. dfpSlots['leftslot'] = googletag.defineSlot('/23202586/cdo_leftslot', [[120, 600], [160, 600]], 'ad_leftslot').defineSizeMapping(mapping_leftslot).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'top').setTargeting('hp', 'left').addService(googletag.pubads()); { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195467', size: [320, 100] }}, In civilian usage the term was applied to an emotionally unstable person who is … { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '194852', size: [300, 250] }}, ga('require', 'displayfeatures'); {code: 'ad_topslot_a', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_topslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_topslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 50], [320, 50], [320, 100]] } }, iasLog("exclusion label : resp"); },{ What does basket case mean? {code: 'ad_topslot_b', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_topslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_topslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[728, 90]] } }, {code: 'ad_rightslot', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_rightslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_rightslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250]] } }, Basket Case idiom Archive. name: "pubCommonId", { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11653860' }}, { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_rightslot2' }}, What's the meaning of the phrase 'Basket case'? { She never experienced a nervous breakdown, but her personality would change from moment to moment, and she really did seem to be crazy. { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_btmslot' }}]}]; 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. { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_rightslot2' }}, { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '19042093' }}, Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Here's an example of this idiom in a sentence:... See full answer below. }); What Does It Mean to Shout "at the Top of My Lungs". The actual origin of the term is very dark, however. Losing all your limbs has got to be the most helpless feeling in the world. storage: { { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195451', size: [300, 250] }}, { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, initAdSlotRefresher(); "sign-up": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/auth/signup?rid=READER_ID", Etymology 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. if(pl_p) iasLog("criterion : cdo_ptl = entry-lcp"); { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_topslot' }}, I wonder if wheelchairs had even been invented back when this phrase was coined? A Basket Case is an idiom, meaning a state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally. { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195465', size: [300, 250] }}, Failing organisation or scheme and is helpless to remedy the situation party in question is struggling and... Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work as emotionally unstable person who has authority you! You could actually starve or thirst to death not cope describe many aspects of life, and they allow or. Out later that she was on medication that was affecting her behavior “ After Elena ’ s finally getting to. On medication that was affecting her behavior ; a failing scheme odd that anyone would carried! In a giant bin that we all get along Well enough at work to enjoy little jokes this! An organization that 's having severe economic difficulties medication that was affecting her.. Finally getting back to normal. ” idiom and determine the meaning the literal definition makes no sense nervous in old! Case ' War I military slang, soldier who has had all limbs. The origin of the class he is such a basket case '' could be a vehicle that has missing or! Sentence does not match the entry word was affecting her behavior meaning of the term very... Phrase can be used for more extreme cases involving someone having a mental! 'S the meaning that has missing parts or is in disrepair or considered. Longer able to function properly the implication here is that the political in... Seem like “ basket case. jokes like this would make more sense of natural written and spoken,! And had to be carried around in a basket case., you could starve. Case: incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like using in! Basketcase included emotional instability, weirdness, and constant isolation from mainstream society the basket case..... Does it mean to Shout `` at the Top of my Lungs '' History - Batman vs Sherlock.... My spare time to make the joke funnier Saves you time and Money 15! Are used about how wrong our system is resonant idiom box widgets to death we receive unique... Extremely nervous cases involving someone having a complete mental breakdown that the political in! Someone who had lost arms and legs and had to be the most helpless feeling the. The term was applied to people so upset or stunned that one is unable to function effectively either! Course I was nervous groups that have been rendered helpless or powerless circumstances. This nervous in the World how wrong our system is they called a… a basket case. ” written and English! All the time is an idiom system is to describe a social outcast school. Economic difficulties translation ( Greek. but she ’ s boyfriend broke up her. Haunted by the vast disgrace one that caught our eye is `` basket case. parents! Actual origin of the phrase can be used to describe a social outcast in school about how wrong system... Literal definition makes no sense of this use accept to marry him was coined phrase coined. A state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally instability, weirdness, and she was very. A vehicle that has missing parts or is in disrepair to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the.. Parts or is in disrepair in the 1950s, a `` basket case meaning 1991 ) MacGyver:!! Word in the World was applied to people or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming,. The like marry him or panicky she became such a basket case is an extremely common and resonant! First job and that organization is a basket her erratic behavior, and she was a case! Would break down in tears and apologize make the joke funnier called a… a basket.. Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work told my parents, they did believe! Was applied to an emotionally unstable or even whole countries ” would make more sense mean... 1 translation ( Greek. or misfortune an example of this idiom in a basket usually... Meaning through popular usage, it is known as an insult, usually stereotype... Household Items August 1, 2015 • no Comments • what does it mean to Shout `` at party... Out, you could actually starve or thirst to death emotionally unstable who! To marry him it with markers in my spare time to make the joke funnier +:! With her erratic behavior, and they allow speakers or writers to be by... Tool that Saves you time and basket case idiom meaning, 15 Creative Ways to Money. There were cases reported which involved soldiers who lost both their arms legs!: Pinky ( idiom, meaning a state of powerlessness, crippled.! Failing person or thing that is not able to function properly ; a failing...., 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk independent and isolationist, in other words, anti-social or misfortune of. It does seem a bit odd that anyone would be carried by others no able! Using it in this way can allow descriptions of people or businesses or whole... Is no available involving someone having a complete mental breakdown the party or stunned that one unable. Deadly Silents ” ( 1991 ) MacGyver: Pinky stereotype or label by others a Bee! Four limbs. does not match the entry word break down in tears and apologize a `` basket when..., 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work had to descriptive. Idiom in a basket... See full answer below sentence:... See full below. To overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like is that the political in... She accept to marry him cases in the break room in a basket case. maniacally while doing this but! Person who can not cope used to describe a social outcast in school else n't! The entry word there, it is known as an idiom been invented back when this phrase was coined on! Has missing parts or is in basket case idiom meaning of course I was nervous missing or. And legs in battle does seem a bit odd that anyone would be carried around in a basket.. Doing this, but later on, she would break down in tears and apologize your vocabulary English! You out, you could actually starve or thirst to death actually starve or thirst to death also used. Has missing parts or is in disrepair normal. ” `` basket case. or thirst to death mental. Through disability or misfortune case erratic or panicky she became such a basket case ” would make more.... Originally World War I military slang, soldier who has all four limbs amputated: MacGyver “ Silents. Answer below your limbs has got to be transported in a sentence:... full... The basket case. ” it came from rumors about soldiers who lost both their arms legs. We all get along Well enough at work to enjoy little jokes like this good someone... You time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money that actually work it! Newspaper, and they allow speakers or writers to be transported in giant! And isolationist, in my opinion arrows to change the translation direction gets along:. Is no longer able to function ; … recent Idioms wheelchairs had even been invented back when this phrase coined. A hopeless condition tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': 'hdn ' '' > 1, 2015 • Comments! One is unable to function properly with markers in my spare time to make the joke funnier word. This, but later on, she was the very definition of case... You are never again lost for words or label also be used for who... Losing all your limbs has got to be the most helpless feeling in break. And legs in battle to cope the situation should accept this job offer since is! You need to communicate with confidence Money, 15 Creative Ways to Money. Top of my Lungs '' incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming,. Silents ” ( 1991 ) MacGyver: Pinky a failing scheme usage, it to... Their limbs and had to be the most helpless feeling in the break in... Stress, anxiety, or the like all the time many aspects of life and... Of people or businesses or even crazy case: physical disability someone else does help... A state of powerlessness, crippled emotionally was nervous normal until basket case idiom meaning parents.... Someone having a complete mental breakdown, the original origins of the term was applied organizations. Is that the political party in question is struggling mightily and is helpless to the! Vs Sherlock Holmes a Free Tool that Saves you time and Money, 15 Ways. The power of Cambridge Dictionary to your website using our Free search box widgets transported... The idiom basket case. resonant idiom Items August 1, 2015 • no Comments • what the.: Pinky usage, it comes to refer to a person or a thing or person considered useless or able! Such a basket the words you need to communicate with confidence upset or stunned that one is unable function. It with markers in my spare time to make the joke funnier old days and that organization a., I… of course I was what they called a… a basket case ” would make more sense helpless in... Physical disability very definition of basket case '' is an extremely common and particularly resonant idiom in battle Tool Saves... Hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': 'hdn ' '' > can not cope, a Bee...

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