in tatters

phrase

: clothes that are old and badly torn

They were dressed in tatters.

—often used figuratively

After the war, the economy was in tatters.

Her hopes lay in tatters.

Examples of in tatters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The economy is in tatters, and food insecurity is widespread. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2026

The ceasefire between the US and Iran is in tatters, with the conflict between the two sides intensifying this past week. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

The original vision for Base is in tatters and much of the project now looks like a costly distraction that has embittered numerous users, and forced Coinbase to play catch-up to ascendant crypto powerhouses like Hyperliquid and Robinhood. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Cuba’s once-impressive healthcare and education systems are in tatters. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Rhymes for in tatters

• batters
• chatters
• flatters
• hatters
• matters
• platters
• satyrs
• scatters
• shatters
• tatars