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
Even after Haftar took control of Derna in 2018, plans for reconstruction did not materialize and the city’s infrastructure remained in tatters, experts say.
—
Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023
With the country’s economy and politics in tatters, the new administration must remain laser focused on domestic renewal, a priority that will inevitably come at the expense of the nation’s efforts abroad.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2021
Though the pitching staff was in tatters one year after a historic championship run, the Sox passed on adding arms at great cost.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023
Instead, her small team of 11 needed to invigorate themselves for a high-stakes show-and-tell to persuade the wealthy backers of her $1.5 billion firm that—even as the crypto industry lay in tatters—everything was going according to plan.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2023
However, the 48-hour demise of FTX left his reputation in tatters.
—Bychloe Taylor, Fortune, 21 July 2023
His ambitions were in tatters after failing to enter, let alone cross the Gulf of Alaska.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2023
Decades of economic liberalization, however, have left the Jordanian welfare state in tatters.
—José Ciro Martínez, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
Now that the Supreme Court has left President Joe Biden’s plans for sweeping student debt forgiveness in tatters, the Biden administration is plotting new ways forward for the effort.
—Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner, 4 July 2023
See More
Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023
With the country’s economy and politics in tatters, the new administration must remain laser focused on domestic renewal, a priority that will inevitably come at the expense of the nation’s efforts abroad.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Mar. 2021
Though the pitching staff was in tatters one year after a historic championship run, the Sox passed on adding arms at great cost.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023
Instead, her small team of 11 needed to invigorate themselves for a high-stakes show-and-tell to persuade the wealthy backers of her $1.5 billion firm that—even as the crypto industry lay in tatters—everything was going according to plan.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2023
However, the 48-hour demise of FTX left his reputation in tatters.
—Bychloe Taylor, Fortune, 21 July 2023
His ambitions were in tatters after failing to enter, let alone cross the Gulf of Alaska.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2023
Decades of economic liberalization, however, have left the Jordanian welfare state in tatters.
—José Ciro Martínez, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2022
Now that the Supreme Court has left President Joe Biden’s plans for sweeping student debt forgiveness in tatters, the Biden administration is plotting new ways forward for the effort.
—Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner, 4 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in tatters.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in tatters
Cite this Entry
“In tatters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20tatters. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share