basket case

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Someone (especially a soldier) who has lost all four limbs.

   • 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.
   • Her mind, at its worst, is in ways analogous to a basket-case who seethes with desires to move but has no limbs.
2. 2

   An institution or country in a bad condition or difficult situation (economically,…

   An institution or country in a bad condition or difficult situation (economically, financially or otherwise).

   • This country is a financial basket case, a country so broke that it should be a perfect warning to lenders.
   • Some countries are breadbaskets, others basket cases.
   • The stereotypical image of North Korea as a hopeless economic basket case ignores the fact that there are extensive natural resources there.
3. 3

   One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, stress or exhaustion

   One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, stress or exhaustion; someone considered mentally unstable.

   • She was a complete basket case the morning of her wedding.
   • Often, when you share a deep dark secret with friends, your friends start to treat you differently. It is very damaging to be treated like a basket case, when you intended only to CONFIDE a fear.

The neighborhood

• neighbordamaged goods
• neighborstretcher case