basket cases
Emotionally falling apart
Basket case originally referred to a soldier who had lost all four limbs and had to be carried in a basket—though the term may have been more rumor than reality.
Now it describes someone unable to function due to extreme stress, anxiety, or emotional distress: I was a complete basket case before the interview.
It can also describe dysfunctional organizations or economies: The company was a basket case before the restructuring.
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
- train wrecksRail collision disasters
- nutcasesEccentric or irrational people
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- shamblesState of total disorder
neurotics · mess · hot messes · failure · breakdown · ruined · debilitated · ineptitude · debacle · collapse · headcases · lost causes · beyond help · nervous breakdowns · burnout · falling apart · gone to pieces · hysteria
basket casestowers of strength
Utterly dependable supporters
stoics · cool heads · steady Eddies · rocks · Zen masters
basket casessuccess stories
Accounts of achievement
well-oiled machines · powerhouses · industry leaders · gold standards · cash cows
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