handbasket

Thân thiện

A woman carries a handbasket full of fresh vegetables from the market.

Definition

Noun: 1. A small, portable container, typically woven from materials like straw, cane, or wicker, and featuring one or two handles: A handbasket is designed to be carried by hand, often used for carrying light items such as produce, shopping goods, or personal belongings.

Usage Examples

• She carried fresh bread and fruit from the market in a handbasket.
• The woven handbasket had sturdy handles that made it easy to carry.
• He placed the picnic supplies into a large handbasket.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "to hell in a handbasket" is an idiom meaning to deteriorate or decline very rapidly and uncontrollably.
  • Example: Many people think the country is going to hell in a handbasket.

Variants and Related Words

• Basket (noun): A more general term for a container made of interwoven strips of flexible material. A handbasket is a specific type of basket with handles for carrying.
• Pannier (noun): A large basket, often one of a pair, carried by a beast of burden or attached to a bicycle or motorcycle.
• Hamper (noun): A large basket with a lid, used for storing or transporting laundry, food, or other items.

Synonyms

• Basket
• Pannier (for specific, larger types)
• Trug (specifically a shallow garden basket)

Idioms Related

• To go to hell in a handbasket: To decline or degenerate rapidly and completely.
  • Example: After the new manager took over, office morale went to hell in a handbasket.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a container that is usually woven and has handles

Từ đồng nghĩa

• basket