in tatters
badly damaged or completely spoiled: After the newspaper story appeared his reputation was in tatters.
What does being in tatters mean?
: clothes that are old and badly torn They were dressed in tatters. —often used figuratively After the war, the economy was in tatters. Her hopes lay in tatters.
What does left in tatters mean?
torn to pieces; in shreds. His jersey was left in tatters. His jersey was in tatters. b. destroyed or ruined.
