It implies a sense of being doomed or heading for inevitable trouble, often as a result of one's own actions.
Here's how the phrase originated:
* Handcarts: In the 19th century, some Mormon pioneers used handcarts to travel west to Utah. The journey was extremely difficult and many people died due to harsh conditions and lack of supplies.
* Hell: This refers to the traditional Christian concept of a place of eternal punishment after death.
The phrase evokes the image of a difficult journey with a terrible outcome, making it a powerful metaphor for any situation that feels hopeless or destined for failure.
Example:
* "After that disastrous business deal, he's going to hell in a handcart."
This implies that the business deal will have severe negative consequences for the person involved.