Heartbroken when things are in tatters? (7)
I believe the answer is:
tearful
'heartbroken' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'things are in tatters?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'are' is 'ear' which is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'when' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tearful that I've seen before include "Inclined to cry" , "Lachrymose, blubbering" , "crying" , "Lachrimose" , "Visibly upset" .)