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
Now, with the losing streak at a season-high six games and the rotation in tatters, the Mets are reeling.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
The country's air defenses are in tatters, its proxies are neutered.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Its proxies have been decimated, its economy and infrastructure is in tatters, and its isolation over its nuclear program is deepening.
—Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Their alliance now in tatters after Elon Musk publicly bashed President Trump's top legislative priority and then launched a flurry of personal attacks.
—ABC News, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in tatters
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
The country's air defenses are in tatters, its proxies are neutered.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Its proxies have been decimated, its economy and infrastructure is in tatters, and its isolation over its nuclear program is deepening.
—Suzanne Kianpour, semafor.com, 11 June 2025
Their alliance now in tatters after Elon Musk publicly bashed President Trump's top legislative priority and then launched a flurry of personal attacks.
—ABC News, 8 June 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 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share