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
With its nuclear and security establishments thoroughly infiltrated by Israeli and Western intelligence agencies, and with its defenses in a state of radical disrepair and its economy in tatters, the regime appeared to be newly vulnerable.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Now, with the losing streak at a season-high six games and the rotation in tatters, the Mets are reeling.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
The country's air defenses are in tatters, its proxies are neutered.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
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
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David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Now, with the losing streak at a season-high six games and the rotation in tatters, the Mets are reeling.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
The country's air defenses are in tatters, its proxies are neutered.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
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
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 Aug. 2025.
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