in tatters
idiom
: clothes that are old and badly torn
They were dressed in tatters.
—often used figurativelyAfter the war, the economy was in tatters.
Her hopes lay in tatters.
Examples of in tatters in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its proxies have been decimated, its economy and infrastructure is in tatters, and its isolation over its nuclear program is deepening.
—
Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Their alliance now in tatters after Elon Musk publicly bashed President Trump's top legislative priority and then launched a flurry of personal attacks.
—ABC News, 8 June 2025
After Jasmine freaks out on them, Jason and Janet leave the beach hang, and their relationship with Jasmine is in tatters, and rightfully so.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Any hope of rapprochement is now said to be ‘in tatters,’ particularly given Harry’s wish to change his surname, which is viewed as a final break from his royal roots.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
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Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Their alliance now in tatters after Elon Musk publicly bashed President Trump's top legislative priority and then launched a flurry of personal attacks.
—ABC News, 8 June 2025
After Jasmine freaks out on them, Jason and Janet leave the beach hang, and their relationship with Jasmine is in tatters, and rightfully so.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Any hope of rapprochement is now said to be ‘in tatters,’ particularly given Harry’s wish to change his surname, which is viewed as a final break from his royal roots.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
Cite this Entry
“In tatters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20tatters. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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