in tatters

  • 1tatters — ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ irregularly torn pieces of cloth, paper, etc. ● in tatters Cf. ↑in tatters ORIGIN Old Norse, rags …

    English terms dictionary

  • 2tatters — noun VERB + TATTERS ▪ lie in (figurative) ▪ Her marriage now lay in tatters. ▪ hang in ▪ Everywhere wallpaper hung in tatters. ▪ leave sth in …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 3tatters — 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

  • 4tatters — [[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

  • 5tatters — 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

  • 6tatters — 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

  • 7Tatters — 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

  • 8tatters — Scottish Vernacular Dictionary Ripped to pieces eg I hid a Gladys this mornin and it s left me airse in tatters …

    English dialects glossary

  • 9tatters — 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

  • 10tatters — UK [ˈtætə(r)z] / US [ˈtætərz] noun [plural] old torn pieces of clothing • in tatters …

    English dictionary