( basket cases)
1.
If someone describes a country or organization as a basket case , they mean that its economy or finances are in a seriously bad state. ( INFORMAL )
The country is an economic basket case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime.
N-COUNT
2.
If you describe someone as a basket case , you think that they are insane. ( INFORMAL )
You’re going to think I’m a basket case when I tell you this.
= nutcase
N-COUNT [ disapproval ]