tat ‧ ters /ˈtætəz $ -ərz/ BrE AmE noun [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 tatters after a series of defeats and failures.
b) clothes that are in tatters are old and torn
2 . clothing that is old and torn SYN rags