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1. Dictionary

   Bas·ket case

   /ˈbaskət ˌkās/

   

   noun

   • 1. a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope: informal "do that for a couple of days and you become a blithering basket case"
   • ▪ a country or organization that is in severe financial or economic difficulties, especially one that is unable to pay its debts: informal "sudden meltdowns—such as the financial crisis—can turn flourishing countries into basket cases overnight"

   Word Origin First World War: originally US slang denoting a soldier who had lost all four limbs and was thus unable to move independently.

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2. People also ask

   What does it mean if someone describes a country as a basket case?

   • If someone describes a country or organization as a basket case, they mean that its economy or finances are in a seriously bad state. The country is an economic basket case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime. If you describe someone as a basket case, you think that they are insane .

   BASKET CASE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/basket-case

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   What is a basket case?

   • 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. A person lacking all four limbs. A person unable to function, esp. because of emotional disturbance. Anything that does not function properly.

   Basket Case Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com/basket-case

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   What does 'Basket Case' mean in slang?

   • Collins, alarmingly, implies that the term is still used literally in North America, defining "basket case" as follows: n slang 1 offensive, chiefly US and Canadian a person who has had both legs and both arms amputated 2 a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain; a nervous wreck

   Basket case: the case against | David Marsh | The Guardian

   www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2012/jun/01/mind-your-language-basket-case

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   Where did the phrase 'basket case' come from?

   • What's the origin of the phrase 'Basket case'? In its original meaning this term comes from the US military immediately following WWI. Strangely, it was never used to describe an actual person but only in denial of any such servicemen existing.

   The saying 'Basket case' - meaning and origin. - Phrasefinder

   www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/basketcase.html

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › basket caseBasket case Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › basket case

   • Cached

   Learn the informal and dated meanings of basket case, a noun that can refer to a person who is emotionally or physically overwhelmed, a dysfunctional business or government, or a person with all limbs amputated. See examples, synonyms, word history, and related entries.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › basket-caseBASKET CASE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › basket-case

   • Cached

   Basket case is an informal term for someone who is extremely nervous or anxious, or a country or company that is very unsuccessful financially. Learn more about the meaning, usage, and synonyms of basket case with Cambridge Dictionary.

5. www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › basketcaseBasket Case - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase - Phrasefinder

   www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › basketcase

   • Cached

   Basket case is a phrase that means an infirm or failing person or thing, unable to function properly. It comes from the US military and originally referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs in WWI and WWII.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › basket-caseBASKET CASE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › basket-case

   • Cached

   a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. anything that is impaired or incapable of functioning: Right after the war the conquered nation was considered an economic basket case. basket case. noun. a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain; nervous wreck.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › basket+caseBasket case - definition of basket case by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › basket+case

   • Cached

   Basket case is a slang term for someone or something that is in a hopeless or useless condition, often due to stress or injury. It originated from World War I military slang for a soldier who lost all four limbs.

8. www.yourdictionary.com › basket-caseBasket Case Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › basket-case

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   noun. 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. American Heritage. A person lacking all four limbs. Webster's New World. A person unable to function, esp. because of emotional disturbance. Webster's New World.

9. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › basket-caseBASKET CASE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › basket-case

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   May 14, 2024 · 1. a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, esp. due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. 2. anything that is impaired or incapable of functioning. Right after the war the conquered nation was considered an economic basket case. 3. offensive.