Go to hell in a handbasket Meaning in English

expression

US

GOH-tuh-HEL-in-uh-HAND-bas-kit

UK

guh-OH-too-HEL-in-ay-HAND-bah-skit

Definition

This expression describes a situation that is getting much worse, usually quickly and uncontrollably, often implying that everything is falling apart or failing.

Usage & Nuances

Highly informal and idiomatic; often used to describe a situation, organization, or world events. Less about literal 'hell'—more about general decline or disaster. Not typically used in formal writing.

• Spanish: irse al demonio - irse todo al traste - irse todo al infierno
• Portuguese (BR): ir por água abaixo - ir para o buraco - desandar de vez
• Portuguese (PT): ir por água abaixo - ir para o buraco - descambar completamente
• Chinese (Simplified): 一落千丈 - 一败涂地 - 彻底完蛋
• Chinese (Traditional): 一落千丈 - 一敗塗地 - 徹底完蛋
• Hindi: बर्बाद हो जाना - पूरी तरह से ख़राब हो जाना
• Arabic: تذهب إلى الجحيم - تفسد تماماً - تنهار الأمور
• Bengali: খারাপের দিকে যাচ্ছে - একেবারে খারাপ হয়ে যাচ্ছে
• Russian: катиться к чертям - идти ко всем чертям
• Japanese: めちゃくちゃになる - どんどん悪くなる
• Vietnamese: trở nên tồi tệ nhanh chóng - xuống dốc không phanh
• Korean: 엉망이 되다 - 망하다
• Turkish: berbat olmak - felakete sürüklenmek
• Urdu: تباہی کی طرف جانا - بگڑنا
• Indonesian: menjadi semakin buruk - berantakan

Example Sentences

Everyone says the company is going to hell in a handbasket.

basic

She thinks the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

basic

This project is going to hell in a handbasket because no one is working together.

basic

If prices keep rising like this, the economy will go to hell in a handbasket.

natural

Honestly, after the changes, the app's support has just gone to hell in a handbasket.

natural

It feels like everything is just going to hell in a handbasket these days.

natural