be in tatters
be in tatters
1. Of a fabric, typically clothing, to be torn or worn into strips. You can't wear this jacket to dinner—it's in tatters!
2. By extension, to be in a ruined condition. The company was in tatters after the founding members resigned. Our relationship is in tatters. I have no idea how we could fix it.
See also: tatter
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be in ˈtatters
1 (of clothes) be torn in many places: He got into a fight and came home with his clothes in tatters.
2 (of a plan, an idea, a person’s feelings, etc.) be ruined or badly damaged: She’s failed her exams, and now all her hopes of becoming a doctor are in tatters. His career and his reputation are both in tatters after the scandal.
See also: tatter
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- tatter
- in tatters
- shot to hell
- (all) shot to hell
- funnies
- butt floss
- tear it
- that tears it
- That tears it!
- that's torn it