ALL meanings of basket case
bas·ket case
B b - countable noun 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. 3
- countable noun basket case If you describe someone as a basket case, you think that they are insane. 3
- noun basket case a person who is suffering from extreme nervous strain; nervous wreck 3
- noun basket case a person who has had both arms and both legs amputated 3
- noun basket case someone or something that is incapable of functioning normally 3
- noun basket case (as modifier) 3
- noun basket case a person lacking all four limbs 3
- noun basket case a person unable to function, esp. because of emotional disturbance 3
- noun basket case anything that does not function properly 3
- noun basket case Offensive. a person who has had all four limbs amputated. 1
- noun basket case a person who is helpless or incapable of functioning normally, especially due to overwhelming stress, anxiety, or the like. 1
- noun basket case anything that is impaired or incapable of functioning: Right after the war the conquered nation was considered an economic basket case. 1
- noun basket case crazy or very anxious person 1
- noun basket case company, nation: failing financially 1
- noun basket case In the sense of “an amputee,” this term is perceived as insulting. It is military slang dating from World War I. Basket cases were soldiers who had lost all of their limbs and could not be safely carried on stretchers, though these types of casualties were probably very rare. At that time, a basket case was a wicker basket used to carry linens or other dry goods. 1
- noun basket case (Idiomatic) SLA (potentially offensive) One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic or stress. 0
- noun basket case (Idiomatic) A country in a difficult economic or financial situation. 0