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
Min Aung Hlaing has been sanctioned and spurned by the West, the country’s economy is in tatters, and his military has lost significant territory in its grinding, multi-front civil war.
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
In fact, after three years of grueling warfare, Putin’s economy is in tatters as Putin stares down bankruptcy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
But by then, Smollett’s reputation was in tatters.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
But since Israel’s aggressive assault – its most deadly since the 2006 war – Hezbollah’s leadership and financial infrastructure have been left in tatters.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
In fact, after three years of grueling warfare, Putin’s economy is in tatters as Putin stares down bankruptcy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
But by then, Smollett’s reputation was in tatters.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
But since Israel’s aggressive assault – its most deadly since the 2006 war – Hezbollah’s leadership and financial infrastructure have been left in tatters.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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