The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "lay in tatters" is destroying something in such a way that its beyond repair. This idiom comes from the literal meaning of the word "tatters," which are pieces of cloth that have been torn or shredded. In the same way, the idiom "lay in tatters" can be used to describe the act of destroying something completely, leaving it in a state of ruin.
The other meanings of the idiom "lay in tatters" are not as common. The meaning "a ragged cloth" is more likely to be expressed as simply "a tattered cloth." The meaning "breaking of a building" is not associated with the idiom "lay in tatters." The meaning "to say nothing or stop talking" is not associated with the idiom "lay in tatters" at all. | 
