Definition & Meaning of "Go to hell in handbasket"

go to hell in (a) handbasket

/ɡˌəʊ tə hˈɛl ɪn ɐ hˈandbaskɪt hˈandbaɡ/

/ɡˌoʊ tə hˈɛl ɪn ɐ hˈændbæskɪt hˈændbæɡ/

to go to hell in (a) handbasket

PHRASE

to rapidly and irreversibly deteriorate or decline in a manner that is likely to result in a bad outcome or failure

to [go] to hell in (a|) (handbasket|handbag) definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "go to hell in a handbasket" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "go to hell in a handbasket" likely dates back to the 19th or early 20th century in the United States. The idiom "go to hell in a handbasket" is used to describe a situation or person that is rapidly deteriorating or heading towards disaster.