basket case
noun
Definition of basket case
1 : a person who has all four limbs amputated
2 : a person who is mentally incapacitated or worn out (as from nervous tension); also : one that is not functioning well or is in a run-down condition an economic basket case
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Examples of basket case in a Sentence
I was so worried about losing my job that I was a complete basket case.
a business that was once very successful but is now a financial basket case
1919
First Known Use of basket case
1919
BASKET CASE Defined for English Language Learners
basket case
noun
Definition of basket case for English Language Learners
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: a person who is very nervous, tired, etc., and is not able to think or act normally
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: something (such as a company or a government) that is in very bad condition and close to failure
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