/'tætəz; `tætɚz/
n [pl]
1 irregularly torn pieces of cloth, etc; rags 碎布; 破旧的衣服
*a poor beggar dressed in rags and tatters 衣衫褴褛的、可怜的乞丐
* His clothes hung in tatters. 他的衣服破成了条儿耷拉着.
2 (idm 习语) in tatters destroyed; ruined 破坏的; 毁坏的; 毁灭的
*left his reputation, life, career, etc in tatters 使他的名誉、生活、事业等受损害
* She replied to my points so convincingly that my argument was soon in tatters. 她反驳我提出的各点都很有说服力, 很快就将我的论点驳倒.