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
Weather forecasting As the next hurricane season approaches, current and former meteorologists say the National Weather Service is in tatters.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
The Ukrainian President’s trip to Washington was cut short, and the deal seemed to be in tatters, alongside relations between the two nations.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 May 2025
The new tariffs have seen the previously sanguine inflation outlook in the U.S. called into question, while a hostile stance to traditional allies such as Canada and the NATO alliance has left multi-decade relationships in tatters.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
At the start of the second game, these truths are out and Joel and Ellie’s relationship is in tatters over the deception.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
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Jade Walker, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
The Ukrainian President’s trip to Washington was cut short, and the deal seemed to be in tatters, alongside relations between the two nations.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 May 2025
The new tariffs have seen the previously sanguine inflation outlook in the U.S. called into question, while a hostile stance to traditional allies such as Canada and the NATO alliance has left multi-decade relationships in tatters.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
At the start of the second game, these truths are out and Joel and Ellie’s relationship is in tatters over the deception.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 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 20 May. 2025.
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