flat out
The phrase "flat out" is a versatile idiom used in various contexts to convey intensity, directness, or totality.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal)At maximum speed or effort.
Example
- The car was going flat out down the highway.
- She worked flat out to meet the deadline.
B2General
(informal)Completely or absolutely.
Example
- He flat out refused to help.
- She flat out denied the accusations.
B2General
(informal)In a direct or straightforward manner.
Example
- She told him flat out that she wasn't interested.
- He flat out admitted his mistake.
C1General
(informal)To fail or disappoint after a promising start.
Example
- The project flatted out despite initial success.
- The movie started strong but flatted out towards the end.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "flat out":
straight outfull outstraight upall outfull onhands downbat outstraight goodshard outdead setno two ways about itfull throttleno holds barredlay on the linefar outnut outon the flatblank outflat on one's backhave out