flat
flat — verb
- flatpresent simple I / you / we / they
- flats3rd person singular
- flatting-ing form
- flattedpast simple
1. to press, hit, or push something so that it becomes level and smooth against a s
to press, hit, or push something so that it becomes level and smooth against a surface, losing any raised or uneven parts
Maeve flatted the cardboard box before putting it into the recycling bin.
object: cardboard box for disposal
The baker flatted the ball of dough with a wooden rolling pin.
Rafael flatted the crumpled letter against his desk to read the address.
flat + against + surface to make readable
A heavy rainstorm flatted the young plants in the farmer's field.
Naoko flatted the metal sheet by striking it with a heavy hammer.
flat + object + by + method (metalworking)
- flat + cardboard
- flat + dough
- flat + metal
- flat + paper
- flat + surface
- flatten
The everyday equivalent; more natural in casual conversation
- level
Suggests making something horizontal or even, not just pressing down
- smooth out
Focuses on removing wrinkles or bumps, often for paper or fabric
- press down
Implies using weight or hand pressure, not a tool
- crumple
To crush into creases or folds
- crumple up
To press into a ball or irregular shape
- ruffle
To disturb a smooth surface
Grammar Patterns
flat + object + to/on/against + surface
Usage Note
The verb 'flat' is less common than 'flatten' in everyday speech. Past tense and past participle are 'flatted'.
Common Mistakes
2. in music, to produce a note at a pitch below the intended one, usually by a semi
in music, to produce a note at a pitch below the intended one, usually by a semitone, whether accidentally or as a deliberate change
The singer accidentally flatted the high note during her performance.
unintentional: flatting a note by mistake
In bar three, the conductor asked the violins to flat the G by a semitone.
instruction: flat + note + by + interval
Andrei flatted every B in the piece because the key signature required it.
The student kept flatting the last note because the song was too high.
Stephanie flatted the seventh chord to give the song a warmer jazz feel.
intentional: flatting a chord for stylistic effect
- flat + note
- flat + F/G/C (note names)
- flat + chord
- flat + string
- flat + by a semitone
Grammar Patterns
flat + musical note
flat + note + by + interval
Usage Note
Used mainly in music instruction and performance commentary. The opposite action in music is 'sharp' (to raise by a semitone).
Common Mistakes
flat — noun
- flatsingular
- flatsplural
1. a home inside a building where other people also live, with its own rooms such a
a home inside a building where other people also live, with its own rooms such as a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom, usually all on the same floor
Iris and her brother share a flat near the university.
collocation: share a flat
The flat has a small kitchen and a big living room.
Gabriel's flat is on the top floor of a tall building.
possessive: Gabriel's flat
Hoa and her friend went to see a flat near the city centre.
verb pattern: see/go to see a flat
There is a big window in the main room of the flat.
- rent a flat
- buy a flat
- share a flat
- one-bedroom flat
- flatmate
- apartment
more common in American English; 'flat' is more British
- condominium
a flat you own rather than rent
- house
a home that stands alone and is not part of a larger building
2. an area of land that is low and level, especially one that lies near a body of w
an area of land that is low and level, especially one that lies near a body of water such as a river or the sea
The river flooded the low flats along the coast after the heavy rain.
collocation: low flats / mud flats / salt flats
Birds gather on the mud flats when the tide goes out.
collocation: mud flats
Salt flats stretch for miles across the dry desert.
collocation: salt flats
Farmers let their animals eat grass on the flats near the stream.
- mud flats
- salt flats
- tidal flats
- low flats
- coastal flats
Usage Note
Often used in the plural form 'flats' when referring to large geographic areas of low-lying land.
3. the inside of a hand with the fingers stretched out straight and held together,
the inside of a hand with the fingers stretched out straight and held together, often used in the phrase 'the flat of the hand'
Henrik hit the table with the flat of his hand.
pattern: the flat of [possessive] hand
The teacher asked the children to show the flats of their hands.
plural: flats of their hands
Jessica pressed the flat of her hand against the cold window.
Brooke held her hand out with the palm and fingers flat and straight.
describes the shape: palm and fingers flat and straight
- the flat of the hand
- flat of his hand
- flat of her hand
- palm
the inner part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, but not specifically with fingers stretched out
Usage Note
Typically used in the fixed expression 'the flat of the hand' to mean the palm with fingers extended. Less commonly used in the plural 'flats of the hands.'
4. a surface or stretch of ground that is level and without slopes, hills, or raise
a surface or stretch of ground that is level and without slopes, hills, or raised sections
The horse ran fastest when it reached the flat.
phrase: on the flat / reached the flat
The runners kept a steady speed once they reached the flat.
The race starts on a hill and finishes on the flat.
contrast: on a hill vs on the flat
Faisal prefers to ride his bicycle on the flat rather than up hills.
phrase: on the flat
- on the flat
- run on the flat
- the flat
- level ground
general term for flat land without slopes
- plain
a large area of flat land
Usage Note
Commonly appears in the phrase 'on the flat,' especially in sports such as horse racing, cycling, and athletics to refer to level ground as opposed to slopes or jumps.
5. a vehicle tyre that has gone flat because the air has escaped through a puncture
a vehicle tyre that has gone flat because the air has escaped through a puncture or a leak in the rubber
Élise got a flat on her way to work this morning.
common: got a flat
The driver stopped to change a flat tyre on the side of the road.
Zayd checked all four tyres so there would be no flats on the trip.
plural: no flats
A loud noise told the driver that he had a flat.
informal: had a flat
- get a flat
- have a flat
- a flat tyre
- fix a flat
- flat
Usage Note
Can be used alone ('a flat') or with 'tyre' ('a flat tyre'). The standalone form is very common in informal spoken English. In American English, the spelling 'tire' is used.
Common Mistakes
6. women's shoes with a short, low heel or with the sole completely level from fron
women's shoes with a short, low heel or with the sole completely level from front to back, designed to be easy to walk in
Iris wears flats to walk to the train station every day.
collocation: wear flats
The shop sells leather flats in black, brown, and blue.
material: leather flats
Eri bought a pair of black flats for the office party.
pair of flats
Ballet flats are light and easy to carry in a bag.
- wear flats
- pair of flats
- ballet flats
- leather flats
- flats
- pumps
a common American English term for flat women's shoes
- ballet flats
a specific style of flat shoes inspired by ballet slippers
- high heels
shoes with a raised heel
Usage Note
Usually appears in the plural form 'flats' when referring to flat shoes as a type or category of footwear. The singular can be used when talking about one shoe ('a flat').
7. a mark (♭) used in written music that tells the player to sound a named note a h
a mark (♭) used in written music that tells the player to sound a named note a half step below its usual pitch; also refers to the note played at that lowered pitch.
The piece has three flats in the key signature, so the musician must remember them.
countable noun in music: a flat / three flats
Amelia played B flat instead of B natural during her piano exam.
contrast between flat and natural notes
A ♭ symbol in front of the note tells musicians to play one half step lower.
After Walid saw the flat sign next to E, he played the black key.
flat sign affects finger position on a keyboard
Constanza used a red pencil to mark each flat in the score.
- B flat
- E flat
- A flat
- key signature
- flat sign
- flat note
two-word term that makes the meaning explicit, but less common than simply 'flat'
- sharp
the symbol (♯) that raises a note by one semitone
Usage Note
Commonly used with note names: B flat, E flat, A flat, etc. In British English the flat symbol is often referred to before the note (B flat), while some languages name the note after the symbol.
Common Mistakes
8. the broad, level side or surface of an object, especially the part of a tool or
the broad, level side or surface of an object, especially the part of a tool or a body part that is not pointed or rounded — for example, the flat of a knife blade or the flat of your hand.
Otis crushed the garlic cloves with the flat of the knife on the board.
the flat of [tool]: the flat of the knife
Min hit the ball with the flat of her hand, sending it across the table.
the flat of [body part]: the flat of the hand
The flat of the sword is not sharp, so it cannot cut through the rope.
Vivek smoothed the rough board by pressing the flat of the tool against it.
Élise held the fish with the flat of her palm while removing the scales.
the flat of [body part]: the flat of the palm
- the flat of the knife
- the flat of the hand
- the flat of the sword
- the flat of the blade
- flat side
more explicit but less idiomatic; also used for objects
- broad side
emphasises width; common for tools and weapons
- edge
the sharp or narrow side of a blade, used for cutting
Grammar Patterns
the flat of something
Usage Note
Always follows the pattern 'the flat of + noun' and is used with tools (knife, sword, hammer) or body parts (hand, palm, foot).
Common Mistakes
on the flat
idiomon ground that is level, not on a slope, hill, or raised section — used especially in horse racing, cycling, and athletics
The horse is much faster on the flat than on hills.
Runners must save their energy for the final part of the race on the flat.
flat — adjective
- flatpositive
- flattercomparative
- flattestsuperlative
1. having a surface that is even across its whole area, without bumps, dips, or slo
having a surface that is even across its whole area, without bumps, dips, or sloping parts.
The kitchen floor needs to be completely flat before we lay the new tiles.
collocation: completely flat
Putri placed a marble on the table to see if the surface was truly flat.
The bike path runs along a flat stretch of ground beside the river for miles.
collocation: flat stretch of ground
Élise ran her hand across the flat surface of the freshly polished granite countertop.
Most of the land here is flat, with only a few gentle hills.
- flat surface
- flat ground
- flat floor
- completely flat
- perfectly flat
- flat roof
- flat land
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun
be + flat
stay + flat
Usage Note
This is the core meaning of flat, used for floors, land, tables, roads, and any surface where evenness matters. It can be used both before a noun (a flat roof) and after a linking verb (the ground is flat).
Common Mistakes
2. wide in relation to its height; having a broad surface but very little thickness
wide in relation to its height; having a broad surface but very little thickness.
Doctors often recommend flat shoes for people who spend long hours walking on hard floors.
collocation: flat shoes
The delivery arrived in a flat cardboard box that fit easily through the front door.
Tunde spread the dough into a flat circle before baking it in the oven.
The flat stone skipped three times across the surface of the lake before it sank.
Nala prefers flat pillows because sleeping on a thick one hurts her neck.
- flat shoes
- flat box
- flat stone
- flat pillow
- flat-screen
- flat-pack
- thick
having a large distance between opposite surfaces
- tall
of greater height
- high-heeled
used for shoes with an elevated heel
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun
be + flat
Usage Note
Frequently used in product descriptions (flat-screen TV, flat-pack furniture) to highlight a thin profile. Also common for shoes without heels.
Common Mistakes
3. describes bread or similar baked goods made without yeast, so they remain thin a
describes bread or similar baked goods made without yeast, so they remain thin after cooking instead of rising.
In India, people often eat a type of flat bread called naan with their meals.
used for bread types: naan, pita, tortilla
Kian bought a warm flat bread from the market and filled it with grilled vegetables.
Flat bread needs only flour, water, and salt, so it is common in many countries.
The recipe for this simple flat bread takes just twenty minutes from start to finish.
- flat bread
- flat bread recipe
- flat bread dough
- unleavened
the technical term for bread without a raising agent; more formal
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (bread / flatbread / tortilla)
Usage Note
Used only attributively — directly before the noun 'bread' or a bread name. It describes a cooking method, not the shape of the bread (flat bread can be round or oval).
Common Mistakes
4. lacking interest, excitement, or energy; dull and unengaging.
lacking interest, excitement, or energy; dull and unengaging.
The party felt flat after most of the guests left early.
predicative: feel + flat
Christopher's joke fell flat when nobody in the room laughed.
phrasal collocation: fall flat
The film received bad reviews because the second half was flat and predictable.
Isabela spoke in a flat voice, showing no emotion about the news she was reading.
After the winning goal was disallowed, the energy in the stadium went completely flat.
collocation: go flat (emotion/energy)
- fall flat
- flat voice
- flat tone
- flat performance
- go flat
- feel flat
Grammar Patterns
be + flat
fall + flat
flat + noun (voice / tone / joke)
Usage Note
Often used with 'fall flat' (a joke or attempt that fails to amuse) or 'go flat' (energy or atmosphere that disappears). The attributive use (flat voice, flat performance) describes a delivery lacking feeling.
Common Mistakes
5. having used up all its electrical charge, so it can no longer power a device.
having used up all its electrical charge, so it can no longer power a device.
I tried to turn on my phone, but the battery was completely flat.
collocation: battery is flat
Brandon's laptop shut down during the meeting because the battery had gone flat.
collocation: go flat (battery)
You should charge rechargeable batteries before they go completely flat.
The smoke alarm started beeping because its backup battery was flat.
Jisoo grabbed a fresh battery from the drawer and replaced the flat one in the torch.
contrast: fresh battery vs flat battery
- battery is flat
- go flat
- completely flat
- flat battery
- charged
having electrical power stored
- full
completely charged
- rechargeable
able to be charged again (not opposite but contrastive)
Grammar Patterns
be + flat
go + flat
Usage Note
Primarily British English. In American English, 'dead' is the usual word for a battery with no charge. Used predicatively — you say 'the battery is flat', not 'a flat battery' (though the attributive use occurs occasionally in informal British English).
Common Mistakes
6. describes a fizzy drink that has lost its gas bubbles and no longer has any fizz
describes a fizzy drink that has lost its gas bubbles and no longer has any fizz.
Sana opened the bottle of soda and found that it had gone completely flat.
collocation: go flat (drink)
The champagne tasted flat because the bottle had been open since the night before.
Always close the bottle tightly to keep the lemonade from turning flat overnight.
Putri poured the flat cola down the sink and opened a fresh can from the fridge.
A waiter brought sparkling water, but it was flat by the time it reached our table.
predicative: was already flat
- go flat
- taste flat
- turn flat
- completely flat
- fizzy
having bubbles; the normal state for carbonated drinks
- sparkling
full of small gas bubbles
- carbonated
technical term for drinks containing dissolved carbon dioxide
Grammar Patterns
be + flat
go + flat
taste + flat
turn + flat
Usage Note
Used only for carbonated beverages — soda, sparkling water, beer, champagne. Still drinks (juice, milk) cannot be described as flat because they naturally have no bubbles.
Common Mistakes
7. complete, definite, and not open to change or doubt; used before a noun to empha
complete, definite, and not open to change or doubt; used before a noun to emphasise a total rejection, denial, or falsehood
The mayor gave a flat refusal when the team asked to build a new stadium.
flat + noun for total/definite refusal
The committee issued a flat denial of any plans to close the local library.
Mr. Asher called the accusation a flat lie and demanded an immediate apology.
flat lie — complete falsehood
Our request for extra funding received a flat rejection from the board members.
The senator's explanation was a flat contradiction of what the witness had said.
- flat refusal
- flat denial
- flat lie
- flat rejection
- flat contradiction
- outright
stronger emphasis on no limit or restraint; also used before a noun
- categorical
more formal; emphasises that something is stated without any conditions
- absolute
broader range; can be used before or after the noun in some patterns
- qualified
limited or conditional in some way
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (refusal/denial/rejection/lie)
Usage Note
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Common with nouns expressing refusal, denial, rejection, or falsehood.
Common Mistakes
8. describing an inflatable object that has lost most or all of its air, leaving it
describing an inflatable object that has lost most or all of its air, leaving it soft, deflated, or unusable
We could not ride our bikes because both tyres were completely flat this morning.
flat tyre — no air inside
The children's football went flat after it hit the sharp edge of the garden wall.
Ravindra checked the spare wheel and found it was flat from months in the garage.
A flat tyre on the motorway caused a long delay during the evening rush hour.
flat tyre + consequences
The beach ball had gone flat overnight, so Nala filled it with air before swimming.
- flat tyre
- go flat
- flat ball
- completely flat
- flat battery
- inflated
filled with air to the correct pressure
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (tyre/ball)
Usage Note
Often used with go (go flat) to describe a tyre or ball losing air gradually. Can also describe other inflatable objects such as air mattresses or balloons.
Common Mistakes
9. (especially of a price, fee, or amount of money) set at a certain level that doe
(especially of a price, fee, or amount of money) set at a certain level that does not increase or decrease according to other factors
The electrician charges a flat fee of sixty dollars for any home visit he makes.
flat fee — fixed, not varying
Students pay a flat rate for unlimited bus travel throughout the entire city.
The restaurant offers a flat price for the main course that includes side dishes.
flat price — inclusive and fixed
We agreed on a flat monthly payment of eight hundred dollars for the apartment.
The courier service charges a flat rate regardless of how many boxes you send.
- flat fee
- flat rate
- flat price
- flat charge
- flat payment
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (fee/rate/price/charge)
Usage Note
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Distinguish from sense 7 (COMPLETE): 'flat fee' means a fixed monetary amount, while 'flat refusal' means a total, definite no.
Common Mistakes
10. (of business activity such as sales, profits, or prices) not growing, increasing
(of business activity such as sales, profits, or prices) not growing, increasing, or changing, often at a level lower than hoped for
Sales were flat for the third month, which worried the company's senior managers.
flat sales — not growing
The computer manufacturer reported flat profits for the second year in a row.
Housing prices stayed flat throughout the winter, then rose again in the spring.
prices stay flat — no increase
After a period of fast growth, the firm's earnings went flat in the last quarter.
Omar was disappointed that holiday sales remained flat despite the big advertising campaign.
- flat sales
- flat profits
- flat earnings
- flat prices
- remain flat
- stay flat
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (sales/profits/earnings)
Usage Note
Common in financial reports and business news. Often used with verbs like stay, remain, or go to describe the state of economic indicators.
Common Mistakes
11. lower in pitch than the written note or than the true, correct pitch; below the
lower in pitch than the written note or than the true, correct pitch; below the intended musical note
The violinist played several notes flat, so the conductor asked her to retune carefully.
play a note flat — below correct pitch
Lara's voice went flat during the high section of the song she was practising.
That chord sounds flat because the piano has not been tuned for two years.
The trumpet player's notes were consistently flat, so he adjusted his embouchure during the break.
consistently flat — ongoing pitch problem
When a guitar string sounds flat, turn the tuning peg until the pitch rises.
- go flat
- sound flat
- flat note
- sing flat
- play flat
- low
informal; general description of pitch, not a precise musical term
- below pitch
descriptive phrase; less technical
- sharp
higher than the correct pitch
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (note/pitch)
go/sound flat
Usage Note
The opposite musical term is 'sharp' (higher than correct pitch). Unlike most senses of 'flat', this sense can be used after a linking verb (sounds flat, went flat).
Common Mistakes
12. having a surface that does not reflect light; not glossy or shiny, often as a de
having a surface that does not reflect light; not glossy or shiny, often as a deliberate choice for paint, paper, or cosmetics
Putri chose a flat paint for the bedroom walls because it hides small bumps well.
flat paint — non-glossy, matte finish
The artist prefers flat paper for her charcoal drawings so the light does not glare.
Flat nail polish looks more natural than the shiny type for everyday wear at work.
flat nail polish — matte, not glossy
The new car had a flat black paint that absorbed sunlight instead of reflecting it.
For the wedding photos, the model wore a flat foundation that softened the studio lights.
- flat paint
- flat finish
- flat colour
- flat black
- flat surface
- matt
British English term for the same concept
- matte
common spelling in American English for non-glossy surfaces
- non-glossy
descriptive; clearer for learners
Grammar Patterns
flat + noun (paint/finish/colour)
Usage Note
Common in product descriptions for paint, makeup, and photography. In British English, 'matt' is more common for paint finishes; 'flat' is the preferred term in American English.
Common Mistakes
13. lying completely flat against the ground or another surface, with the whole body
lying completely flat against the ground or another surface, with the whole body stretched out
After the long run, Minho lay flat on the grass, breathing heavily.
collocation: lay flat [posture verb]
The old wooden table fell flat on the kitchen floor with a loud crash.
collocation: fell flat
Walid stretched out flat on the sofa after working all day.
Rescue workers found the hiker lying flat on a rock, too exhausted to move.
pattern: lying flat on [surface]
The children lay flat on their backs in the field, watching clouds drift by.
- lie flat
- fall flat
- lay flat
- stretch flat
- flat on one's back
- flat on the ground
- prone
formal; specifically means lying face-down
- supine
formal; specifically means lying face-up
- prostrate
formal; suggests lying face-down from exhaustion, weakness, or worship
- stretched out
informal; emphasises the extended position of arms and legs
Grammar Patterns
lie / fall / stretch + flat
flat + on + surface
Usage Note
Typically used with verbs of posture such as 'lie', 'lay' (past tense), 'fall', or 'stretch'. The phrase 'flat on one's back/face/stomach' specifies the body position.
Common Mistakes
flat — adverb
1. in a position that is level with and touching a surface, not upright — for insta
in a position that is level with and touching a surface, not upright — for instance, stretching out across a floor or putting your palm against a wall.
Quinn lay flat on the wooden floor, trying to hear the music below.
Manuela pressed her palm flat against the cool kitchen counter.
press + flat: palm against surface
Karim spread the old map flat on the bonnet of his car.
spread + flat: map on surface
Lauren laid the dress flat on the table before cutting the fabric.
lay + flat: fabric on work surface
After the storm, the wheat fields lay flat across the valley floor.
- lie flat
- lay flat
- press flat
- spread flat
- push flat
- upright
vertical position
- vertically
moving or positioned straight up and down
Grammar Patterns
lie + flat
lay + flat
press + flat
spread + flat
Usage Note
Frequently follows verbs of placing or positioning such as 'lie', 'lay', 'press', 'spread', and 'push'.
Common Mistakes
2. into a shape or form that has little or no height, usually by pressing, folding,
into a shape or form that has little or no height, usually by pressing, folding, or hitting something.
Jiwoo folded the empty box flat and put it in the recycling bin.
fold + flat: box for recycling
The children hammered the bent metal flat with a heavy stone.
hammer + flat: metal shaping
Noa pressed the suitcase flat so it would fit under the seat.
press + flat: suitcase for storage
Tamar collapsed the tent flat and packed it into the small bag.
collapse + flat: tent for packing
- fold flat
- hammer flat
- press flat
- collapse flat
- crush flat
- completely
used with 'fold' to emphasise total compression
- tightly
focuses on the pressure rather than the resulting shape
Grammar Patterns
fold + flat
hammer + flat
press + flat
collapse + flat
Usage Note
Often follows verbs of compressing or shaping such as 'fold', 'hammer', 'press', and 'collapse'. The resulting shape is thin and takes up little vertical space.
Common Mistakes
3. used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection stronger and more definite — meanin
used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection stronger and more definite — meaning 'completely and without any doubt'.
Ayesha flat refused to speak to her brother after the argument.
flat + refused: strengthens refusal
The proposal was flat rejected by the board of directors.
flat + rejected: passive construction
Tunde flat denied taking the money from the office drawer.
flat + denied: denial verb
When asked about the delay, the manager flat stated it was not his fault.
- flat refuse
- flat deny
- flat reject
- flat state
- absolutely
more general intensifier that works with both positive and negative statements
- utterly
slightly more formal, often used for complete failure or destruction
- categorically
most formal, particularly strong in written denials and official statements
- reluctantly
suggests hesitation rather than firm rejection
- vaguely
suggests uncertainty rather than absolute refusal
Grammar Patterns
flat + [verb of refusal/denial/rejection]
Usage Note
Used before verbs that express refusal (refuse), denial (deny), or rejection (reject). Does not combine with positive or neutral actions — you cannot say 'flat agreed' or 'flat accepted'.
Common Mistakes
4. used immediately after an expression of time to emphasise that the time is exact
used immediately after an expression of time to emphasise that the time is exact — often expressing surprise at how quickly or precisely something happened.
Sofie finished the race in twelve minutes flat, beating her record.
[time] + flat: exact finish time
The repair crew arrived in thirty minutes flat despite the storm.
arrived in + [time] + flat
Jiwoo read the entire book in three days flat during the holiday.
The pizza delivery reached their door in twenty minutes flat.
- minutes flat
- hours flat
- days flat
- seconds flat
Grammar Patterns
[time period] + flat
Usage Note
Always comes after a time expression, never before it. Common with 'in' phrases: 'in [number] minutes/hours/days flat'. Frequently signals that the speaker finds the time surprisingly short.
Common Mistakes
5. used only in the fixed phrase 'flat broke' to mean having nothing, with not a si
used only in the fixed phrase 'flat broke' to mean having nothing, with not a single coin or banknote — a stronger version of the word 'broke' by itself.
After paying tuition, Nellie was flat broke for the rest of the month.
was flat broke after a big expense
The restaurant went flat broke after the summer tourist season ended.
went flat broke: business failure
Camille ended up flat broke after her round-the-world trip.
Tamar loaned her friend some money because he was flat broke.
- flat broke
- went flat broke
- ended up flat broke
- left flat broke
- completely broke
the same meaning without the fixed phrase — less idiomatic but acceptable
- penniless
more formal, does not use 'flat' as an intensifier
Grammar Patterns
flat broke
Usage Note
Only appears in the fixed phrase 'flat broke'. 'Flat' here functions as an intensifier — it cannot be used with other adjectives (not 'flat poor' or 'flat penniless').
Common Mistakes
6. at maximum speed or with the strongest effort someone or something can give; wor
at maximum speed or with the strongest effort someone or something can give; working or moving at your absolute limit.
Élise ran flat out to catch the last train leaving the station.
ran flat out: maximum speed
The kitchen staff worked flat out to serve lunch before noon.
worked flat out: maximum effort
Tunde pedalled flat out up the steep hill during the race.
Lien's factory has been running flat out since the new orders arrived.
running flat out: production at capacity
- run flat out
- work flat out
- go flat out
- run flat out
- drive flat out
- at full speed
more formal, focuses on velocity rather than combined speed-and-effort
- all out
similar meaning, also informal
- at top speed
focuses on speed, used for vehicles and athletes
- slowly
at a low speed
- half-heartedly
without full effort or commitment
Grammar Patterns
flat out
Usage Note
Always part of the fixed phrase 'flat out'. Can be used with verbs of movement (run, pedal, drive) and verbs of effort (work, run (a business or machine)). The related adjective form 'flat-out' (with hyphen) is used before nouns: 'a flat-out refusal'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Learners often confuse these four words because they all describe a surface, but each has a distinct focus. 'Flat' means having no bumps, dips, or sloping — the core meaning is about the shape of the surface as a whole ('a flat roof', 'flat farmland'). 'Level' emphasises horizontal alignment with an external reference, often checked with a tool ('is the shelf level?'). 'Even' focuses on equal height across the surface and is commonly used for ground or floors ('an even playing field'). 'Smooth' describes texture rather than shape — a surface can be smooth but steeply sloped ('smooth marble countertop'). For example: 'The table is flat but not level because one leg is shorter.' 'The road is smooth but not even — it has gentle curves.' 'The floor is level but uneven — you can feel the gaps between the boards.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- flat surface
- flat ground
- flat rate
- flat fee
- flat tyre
- flat refusal
- flat denial
- flat bread
- flat voice
- flat battery
- flat note
Adverbs
- completely flat
- perfectly flat
- relatively flat
- almost flat
- dead flat
Phrases
- fall flat
- go flat
- stay flat
- lie flat
- flat out
- flat broke
- in no time flat
- on the flat
Prepositions
- flat against
- flat on
- flat across
Etymology
The word 'flat' comes from Old Norse 'flatr', meaning 'level' or 'smooth', which traces back to the Proto-Germanic *flata- and further to the Proto-Indo-European root *plat- ('to spread' or 'to extend'). It entered English in the 14th century, gradually replacing the inherited Old English word 'flet' ('floor, dwelling'). The adjective sense for 'not high' and 'without bumps' appeared first; the noun sense for 'an apartment on one floor' developed in Scottish English in the 18th century. The musical sense — a note lowered by a semitone — emerged in the late 16th century from the idea of a sound that is 'flat' (not rising in pitch). The intensifying adverb use (flat broke, flat out) is a 19th-century American English innovation.
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun