basket case

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

Someone (especially a soldier) who has lost all four limbs.
An institution or country in a bad condition or difficult situation (economically, financially or otherwise).
One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, stress or exhaustion; someone considered mentally unstable.

En-au-basket case.ogg

basket case basket cases basketcase basket-case

From basket + case, based on rumors during World War I that wounded soldiers were transported in baskets.

emotional cripple

damaged goods stretcher case

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