Basket Case

Meaning of Idiom ‘Basket Case’

A basket case is a person who is so nervous or anxious they are completely incapacitated and so are considered nonfunctioning; someone unable to cope with a situation; someone or something unable to function.

Many sources indicate that the idiom also applies to someone who is sick or incapacitated in any way, but the idiom is not often if at all, used this way today. As well, the idiom is often used exaggeratedly and humorously.

Sentence Examples

“OK, I’ll go on the hike with you but I’m warning you if you get me near heights I’m a basket case.”

“Sidney is usually so stoic but when he found out his parents were in an accident he lost it. Even after he knew they were fine he was still a basket case!”

“And I just — I cry all the time. I’m kind of a basket case.” — Bride Wars (2009)

“I didn’t want your grandma to think I was this, you know, basket case. Which, of course, now I really seem like one.” — The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)

“You know, if I don’t get out here three, four times a year, I’m a basket case.” — True Detective: After You’re Gone (2014)

“On top of everything else, she took my Prozavil. It was in her purse. I’m supposed to take it every four hours.” “Or what? You turn into a basket case?” — That Old Feeling (1997)

“My niece is a basket case, but she’s a good kid. She wants to be an actress.” — Moving McAllister (2007)

“By the way, how is Bill holding up?” “He’s, um…well, he’s a basket case.” — Something Wicked (2014)

“I’m going to be 30 years old, and I have no one in my life to love me. I’m such a basket case, I can’t even talk to a woman without having alcohol in my body.” — The Big Bang Theory: The Wildebeest Implementation (2011)

“She’s what?” “She’s completely nuts. Psychotic basket case.”— Skins: Michelle (2007)

“He looks crazy.” “Yeah, crazy all right. What a basket case.” — Pyega (2010)

Origin

During the early 1900’s, basket case was American slang for a soldier who had lost all four of his limbs, and so had to be carried around in a litter basket. Used figuratively since at least the mid-1900s.

More Idioms Starting with B

More Case Idioms