shattered

Everyday

1. Shattered means broken into many small pieces. tree →
2. (UK, Australia, NZ informal) Shattered means extremely tired. tree →
3. Shattered means very shocked and upset. tree →
4. Shattered can also mean suddenly ended or destroyed, like a silence. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday British and Australian talk: «I'm shattered» after sports day. In stories: shattered glass, shattered dreams. Phrases: «absolutely shattered», «shattered glass».

Examples

• (UK informal) I'm shattered after that long walk. tree →
• Shattered glass lay all over the road. tree →
• She was shattered by the bad news. tree →
• (informal) We were all shattered after the swimming gala. tree →
• Don't touch the shattered pieces of the vase. tree →
• But suddenly the silence was shattered and a cry rang out over the snow. tree →

Note

«I'm shattered» (UK, Aus, NZ) = very tired, not broken! In the USA people more often say «exhausted» or «wiped out».

In Jewish tradition

Used for people, weapons and the golden bowl of old age, showing that things and lives are broken and cannot stand.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the broken bowl and pitcher in Ecclesiastes as a picture of the body failing in old age and death.

Examples

• Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it. (Writings JOB.4.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Before the silver cord is snapped asunder, and the golden bowl is shattered, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel falleth shattered, into the pit; (Writings ECC.12.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, their bows are shattered; for the LORD is a God of recompenses, He will surely requite. (Prophets JER.51.56, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«I'm shattered» (UK, Aus, NZ) = very tired, not broken! In the USA people more often say «exhausted» or «wiped out».