好词典

tatters

UK //ˈtætəz//US //ˈtætərz//

词源

源自中古英语 'tateren'(撕碎),可能与古诺尔斯语 'töturr'(碎片)有关。

noun

❶ 指衣服或布料因长期使用或损坏而变成的破布片,通常形容物品破烂不堪的状态。

“His old shirt was in tatters after years of wear.”

(他的旧衬衫穿了多年后已经破烂不堪。)

“The flag hung in tatters after the storm.”

(暴风雨过后,旗帜已经破成碎片。)

❶ 比喻事物或计划彻底失败或崩溃的状态,常用于形容希望、声誉等抽象概念。

“His reputation was in tatters after the scandal.”

(丑闻过后,他的名声彻底毁了。)

“The peace agreement is now in tatters.”

(和平协议现在已经彻底破裂。)

同义词:rags, shreds, fragments, remnants

常见短语

in tatters — 形容物品破烂不堪或计划、声誉等彻底失败的状态。

“After the fire, the house was left in tatters.”

(火灾过后,房子变得破烂不堪。)