shambles
UK: ˈʃæm.bəlz | US: ˈʃæm.bəlz
n. 1. A state of complete disorder or chaos.
n. 2. (Archaic) A slaughterhouse or scene of carnage.
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The word shambles traces back to Old English scamu (a stool or table), later evolving into Middle English shamel (a butcher’s stall). By the 16th century, it referred to slaughterhouses, evoking imagery of blood and disarray. Over time, its meaning shifted metaphorically to describe any scene of chaos or mess, losing its literal association with butchery. The plural form -bles reflects its historical use as a countable noun (e.g., "the shambles of the market").
After the party, the living room was a complete shambles.
The project descended into shambles due to poor planning.
(Archaic) The battlefield resembled a shambles after the clash.
Her desk is always in shambles by the end of the workday.
The team’s strategy fell into shambles after the star player’s injury.