Her marriage now lay in tatters.
Everywhere wallpaper hung in tatters.
an injury that left his dreams in tatters
Her clothes were in tatters.
With their plans now in tatters, they gave up. (figurative)
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
tatters — ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ irregularly torn pieces of cloth, paper, etc. ● in tatters Cf. ↑in tatters ORIGIN Old Norse, rags … English terms 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
