in tatters
The phrase "in tatters" can describe both physical and metaphorical states of severe damage or disarray.
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Definition
B2Physical Description
(common)Badly torn or shredded, often to the point of being unusable.
Example
- After the accident, his jacket was left in tatters.
- The old flag was in tatters after years of exposure to the elements.
B2Figurative Usage
(common)In a state of complete ruin or disarray, often used to describe abstract concepts.
Example
- Her confidence was in tatters after the harsh criticism.
- The company's reputation was in tatters following the scandal.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "in tatters":
rags and tatterstore upin ragsin ruinsto piecesgo to piecesrip to shredsto bitsworse for wearfall aparttear uptear apartcut to piecestied in knotson the ropestear atfall to piecescome undonerip uptear it upat sixes and sevensbroken down