a)if something is a shambles, it is very disorganized and there is a lot of confusion 一团糟;非常混乱
The meeting was a shambles from start to finish.
这次会议从头到尾都开得一团糟。
The economy is in a complete shambles.
经济混乱不堪。
b)if a place is a shambles, it is very untidy 〔地方〕一片混乱,凌乱不堪SYN mess
My house is in an absolute shambles.
我的房子里凌乱不堪。
Examples from the Corpus
be (in) a shambles• The apartmentwas in shambles and the kids in a frenzy.• But the room, the target of a 1968 arson, was in a shambles.• By October 1952, when we left Pusan, the corrupt Rhee government was in shambles.• It was a shambles last year.• Much around Lilly is in shambles.• The scrums, in particular, were a shambles, with Haslemere being driven off their own ball.• It is all out of order because the preliminariesare a shambles.• Instead, his side were a shambles again, a disgrace.
Examples from the Corpus
shambles• It is all out of order because the preliminaries are a shambles.• But the room, the target of a 1968 arson, was in a shambles.• This kitchen is a shambles!• Now it is merely a shambles.• The scrums, in particular, were a shambles, with Haslemere being driven off their own ball.• He liked the fact that he had fought back from the break-up with Yamaguchi, revived a career in shambles.• Much around Lilly is in shambles.
Originshambles
(1900-2000)shambles“place where animals are killed for meat, scene of great killing or destruction”((16-20 centuries)), from shamble“table from which meat is sold, meat market”((14-19 centuries)), from Old Englishscamul“counter, stool”