shreds
shreds — noun
- shredssingular
- shredsesplural
1. an extremely small quantity of something, used almost only in negative statement
an extremely small quantity of something, used almost only in negative statements to say that a particular thing does not exist at all
The police found not a single shred of evidence linking Rafael to the crime.
not a single shred of + evidence
There is no shred of truth in the story the journalist published last week.
no shred of truth
Tariq's argument failed because it lacked any shred of logical support.
After the investigation, not a shred of doubt remained about the driver's guilt.
文法句型
a shred of + [uncountable noun]
not a shred of [something]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in negative sentences or with words like "without," "no," or "not a." The positive form ("a shred of evidence") is rare and usually implies a hypothetical or questioned existence.
常見錯誤
2. a long, narrow, thin section of cloth, paper, or similar material which came awa
a long, narrow, thin section of cloth, paper, or similar material which came away from a larger piece when torn or cut
Diya found a shred of blue fabric caught on the fence near the garden.
a shred of + fabric
The wind blew tiny shreds of newspaper across the empty parking lot.
shreds of + newspaper
Mathieu carefully peeled the shreds of old wallpaper from the kitchen wall.
Sahil wiped the paint from his brush using a shred of old cotton cloth.
文法句型
in shreds
shreds of + [noun]
用法筆記
Countable; the plural 'shreds' is very common when describing multiple torn pieces. The singular often refers to a single torn-off strip.
常見錯誤
3. (of clothing, fabric, or paper) so badly torn that the material has come apart i
(of clothing, fabric, or paper) so badly torn that the material has come apart into many hanging strips or separate pieces
After the dog attack, Brian's favorite jacket was in shreds.
in shreds
The old flag hung on the pole with its fabric in shreds after the storm.
Romi's jeans were in shreds after she fell off her bicycle onto the gravel road.
The curtains in the abandoned house were in shreds from years of wind and sun.
- tattered
refers to the worn state of the item itself
- ripped
less extreme; a few tears rather than complete destruction
- in tatters
very similar; slightly more formal
文法句型
in shreds
用法筆記
Used predicatively after the verb 'to be' in the phrase 'in shreds.' Not used before a noun (e.g. not 'a shreds jacket').
4. (of a plan, reputation, relationship, or similar abstract thing) in a state of c
(of a plan, reputation, relationship, or similar abstract thing) in a state of complete ruin or serious harm, as if torn apart
After the scandal broke, the senator's reputation was in shreds.
reputation was in shreds
The peace agreement lay in shreds after both sides broke their promises.
lay in shreds
Mira's confidence was in shreds following the failed presentation to the board.
Years of poor management left the club's finances in shreds.
- ruined
broader; works for both concrete and abstract
- destroyed
stronger emphasis on total loss
- in tatters
very close in meaning and usage
文法句型
in shreds
用法筆記
Metaphorical extension of the literal 'in shreds' sense. The subject is always an abstract noun — reputation, trust, hopes, plans, finances, relationships, etc.
常見錯誤
shreds — verb
- shredspresent simple I / you / we / they
- shredses3rd person singular
- shredsing-ing form
- shredsedpast simple
1. to pull food, paper, or fabric apart into long thin strips, either roughly by ha
to pull food, paper, or fabric apart into long thin strips, either roughly by hand or with a tool
Cole shredded the lettuce for the salad using a sharp knife.
shred + lettuce
The neighbour's cat shredded the sofa cushions while the family was away.
Tuan showed the students how to shred cabbage for the coleslaw.
The old documents were so fragile they shredded as soon as Xiu touched them.
文法句型
shred + [noun]
shred [noun] into [noun]
用法筆記
Common in cooking contexts (shredding vegetables, cheese) and accidental damage (animals shredding furniture). The past tense is 'shredded' (not 'shred').
常見錯誤
2. to put paper documents through a special machine that cuts them into thin strips
to put paper documents through a special machine that cuts them into thin strips so that the information on them is destroyed and unreadable
The company policy says all old client files must be shredded after five years.
must be shredded
Sivan watched the machine shred the old contracts into thin strips.
shred + contracts
Before leaving the office, Sirin always shreds papers that contain personal data.
The lawyer advised them to shred all copies of the confidential report.
- destroy
broader; not specific to paper
- dispose of
implies throwing away, not necessarily destroying
- pulp
used for industrial-level destruction of documents
文法句型
shred + [noun — document type]
be shredded
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1 (tear into strips) — this one specifically describes using a shredder machine for security purposes. Frequently used in passive voice: 'documents were shredded.'
常見錯誤
3. to damage or destroy something so completely that almost nothing remains
to damage or destroy something so completely that almost nothing remains
The earthquake shredded the small mountain village, leaving nothing standing.
earthquake shredded + village
The tornado shredded miles of farmland across the region in one afternoon.
The scandal completely shredded the trust between the two business partners.
Years of civil war had shredded the country's roads, schools, and hospitals.
- demolish
more deliberate; usually of buildings or structures
- obliterate
even stronger; implies nothing remains at all
- annihilate
very strong; often used for complete, violent destruction
文法句型
shred + [noun]
用法筆記
Stronger and more dramatic than 'destroy.' Often used for natural disasters, violence, or metaphorically for abstract things like trust or relationships.
4. to beat an opponent or competitor very easily and by a very large difference in
to beat an opponent or competitor very easily and by a very large difference in score or votes
The home team shredded their opponents forty-five to six in the final match.
shredded opponents + score difference
The defending champion shredded the competition and won the national title again.
shredded the competition
The new candidate shredded the incumbent mayor by over twenty thousand votes.
Yara's team shredded every other school in the regional basketball tournament.
- crush
very similar; equally informal
- thrash
implies a physical beating; used for decisive wins
- annihilate
stronger; suggests the opponent barely scored at all
文法句型
shred + [noun — opponent]
shred + [noun — competition]
用法筆記
Very informal. Used in sports, debates, elections, and any competitive setting. Avoid in formal or academic writing.
5. to express extremely negative opinions about a person, idea, performance, or pro
to express extremely negative opinions about a person, idea, performance, or product, usually in a forceful and public way
The food critic shredded the restaurant's tasting menu in his weekly newspaper column.
shredded + menu in [publication]
Gabriel's proposal was shredded by the board members during the morning meeting.
proposal was shredded by
Online reviewers shredded the film for its weak plot and wooden acting.
The opposition leader shredded the government's new tax policy on live television.
- savage
verb meaning to attack or criticize fiercely; very similar register
- pan
specifically used for reviews of films, books, or shows
- tear apart
phrasal verb; same register and force
文法句型
shred + [noun — person/idea/performance]
get shredded
be shredded
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'criticize' — 'shred' implies a much more aggressive, comprehensive, and often public attack. The subject is usually a critic, reviewer, opponent, or audience.
6. to play the electric guitar at a very fast speed with a raw, distorted tone, typ
to play the electric guitar at a very fast speed with a raw, distorted tone, typically in heavy metal or rock music
The lead guitarist shredded through a blistering solo that left the crowd cheering.
shredded through + solo
Asher spent years learning to shred like his favorite heavy metal musicians.
At the concert, Ife shredded on her electric guitar for nearly ten minutes straight.
The online video shows a teenager shredding a famous rock song note for note.
文法句型
shred on + [instrument]
shred through + [song]
用法筆記
Specialized slang within rock and metal music culture. Not used for acoustic guitar, classical guitar, or slow playing styles. 'Shredding' as a gerund is the most common form.