1N-PLURAL [usually inNOUN]破烂衣服 Clothes that are in tatters are badly torn in several places, so that pieces can easily come off. 破烂衣服
His jersey was left in tatters.
他的运动衫已破烂不堪。
2N-PLURAL [usually inNOUN](计划、心情等)千疮百孔,历经挫折,不堪一击 If you say that something such as a plan or a person's state of mind is in tatters, you are emphasizing that it is weak, has suffered a lot of damage, and is likely to fail completely. (计划、心情等)千疮百孔,历经挫折,不堪一击 [emphasis]