The phrase "cut to ribbons" refers to a situation or action characterized by severe or excessive destruction, rendering something into small, fragmented, or shredded pieces. This idiom is often used in a figurative sense to describe the harsh disintegration or complete annihilation of an object, concept, or idea. It implies a state of utter ruin, where the subject has been rendered into scattered or tattered remnants.
The term "cut" denotes the act of severing or dividing something with a sharp implement, typically resulting in a clean or precise separation. The addition of "to ribbons" intensifies the magnitude of the cutting, conveying the sense of thorough destruction or fragmentation into thin, narrow strips. This phrase is often employed to emphasize a particularly violent or forceful cutting action.
In a metaphorical context, "cut to ribbons" refers to situations where something has been severely criticized, scrutinized, or disparaged, leaving it heavily damaged or debilitated. It can describe the complete dismantling or decimation of an argument, plan, or reputation, leaving it in tatters and devoid of all credibility.
Overall, the phrase "cut to ribbons" encapsulates the notion of comprehensive devastation, either in a literal or figurative sense, highlighting the severe and often irreparable state of the subject that has been subjected to intense cutting or criticism.
