shred

Universal Words verb, noun verb (-dd-) [VN] to cut or tear sth into small pieces: Serve the fish on a bed of shredded lettuce. * He was accused of shredding documents relating to the case (= putting them in a SHREDDER). noun 1 [usuallypl.] a small thin piece that has been torn or cut from sth: shreds of fabric / paper * His jacket had been torn to shreds by the barbed wire. * Cut the orange peel into thin shreds. 2 [usuallysing.] ~ of sth (used especially in negative sentences) a very small amount of sth: There is not a shred of evidence to support his claim. * Couldn't he leave her some shred of dignity? IDIOMS in shreds 1 very badly damaged: Her nerves were in shreds. * The country's economy is in shreds. 2 torn in many places: The document was in shreds on the floor. pick / pull / tear sb/sth to pieces / shreds (informal) to criticize sb, or their work or ideas, very severely