going to hell in a handbasket

going to hell in a handbasket

Meaning

• in extremely bad state and becoming worse
• headed for complete disaster
• deteriorating rapidly

Example Sentences

1. With corruption and malpractices everywhere, the political leadership seem to be going to hell in a handbasket.
2. The security arrangement at the stadium was pathetic and the whole place went to hell in a handbasket as the people in charge looked on.
3. The company was rapidly going to hell in a handbasket when the chairman and some top officials were accused of fraud.
4. The fortunes of the club did not change with a change in management and soon they were going to hell in a handbasket.
5. Many believe that if that candidate wins the elections, the country would soon be going to hell in a handbasket.
6. The healthcare system in this city is going to hell in a handbasket as the people responsible are busy blaming each other.
7. With mounting debt and dwindling operations, the company is going to hell in a handbasket.

Origin
The phrase originated in the USA in the mid 19th century and the first print record is in I. Winslow Ayer's account of events of the American Civil War “The Great North-Western Conspiracy”, 1865.