in tatters
phrase
: 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
But that once sweet brotherly bond is now in tatters and has been for several years.
—
Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
The Cubs manager is occupied with a pitching staff in tatters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
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Jennifer Hassan,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
The Cubs manager is occupied with a pitching staff in tatters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
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 6 Jul. 2026.
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