in the wars

Injured, damaged, decrepit, or appearing as such, as one might be who has fought in a war. Can be said of a person or a thing. How old is that junky computer of yours? It looks like it's been in the wars! That must have been one heck of a fight. You look like you're in the wars! A: "What happened to your textbook? It looks like it's been in the wars!" B: "Oh, I accidentally left it out in the rain."

in the wars

INFORMAL

If a person, especially a child, is in the wars, they are injured. Look at all the bruises on your leg — you're in the wars! Note: You usually use this expression in a fairly light-hearted way.

in the ˈwars

(spoken) slightly injured because you have been in a fight or have hurt yourself in an accident: My nephew is always in the wars. Whenever I see him, he’s covered in plasters.