- in tatters
- in tattersFig. in torn pieces of cloth. •
The poor man's clothes hung in tatters.
•The flag was in tatters after the storm.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
in tatters
Look at other dictionaries:
tatters — ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ irregularly torn pieces of cloth, paper, etc. ● in tatters Cf. ↑in tatters ORIGIN Old Norse, rags … English terms dictionary
tatters — noun VERB + TATTERS ▪ lie in (figurative) ▪ Her marriage now lay in tatters. ▪ hang in ▪ Everywhere wallpaper hung in tatters. ▪ leave sth in … Collocations dictionary
tatters — tat|ters [ˈtætəz US ərz] n [plural] [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: From a Scandinavian language] 1.) in tatters a) if a plan or someone s ↑reputation is in tatters, it is ruined ▪ Tonight, the peace agreement lies in tatters. ▪ His credibility is in… … Dictionary of contemporary English
tatters — [[t]tæ̱tə(r)z[/t]] 1) N PLURAL: usu in N Clothes that are in tatters are badly torn in several places, so that pieces can easily come off. His jersey was left in tatters. Syn: in rags 2) N PLURAL: usu in N (emphasis) If you say that something… … English dictionary
tatters — noun (plural) 1 clothing or pieces of cloth that are old and torn 2 in tatters a) a plan, policy etc that is in tatters is ruined or badly damaged: The government s income policy was in tatters. b) clothes that are in tatters are old and torn … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
tatters — tat|ters [ tætərz ] noun plural old torn pieces of clothing: SHREDS in tatters 1. ) something such as a plan or an agreement that is in tatters has been spoiled and will probably fail 2. ) in very bad condition … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Tatters — Recorded in several forms as shown below, this medieval surname is English. It is occupational either for a maker of head chains or ropes (tethers) or a metonymic for a jailer or warder. It is also possible that it was job descriptive for a… … Surnames reference
tatters — Scottish Vernacular Dictionary Ripped to pieces eg I hid a Gladys this mornin and it s left me airse in tatters … English dialects glossary
tatters — plural noun irregularly torn pieces of cloth, paper, etc. Phrases in tatters destroyed; ruined. Derivatives tattery adjective Origin ME: from ON tỏtrar rags … English new terms dictionary
tatters — UK [ˈtætə(r)z] / US [ˈtætərz] noun [plural] old torn pieces of clothing • in tatters … English dictionary
tatters — [ˈtætəz] noun in tatters 1) spoiled and likely to fail; 2) torn and in very bad condition[/ex] … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
