flat-out

[ flat-out ]
/ ˈflætˈaʊt /

adjective Informal.

moving or working at top speed or with maximum effort; all-out: a flat-out effort by all contestants.
downright; thoroughgoing: Many of the paintings were flat-out forgeries.

Origin of flat-out

First recorded in 1925–30

Definition for flat out (2 of 2)

Origin of flat

1
1275–1325; Middle English < Old Norse flatr, akin to Old English flet (see flat2), Greek platýs (see platy-, plate1

SYNONYMS FOR flat

1 plane. See level.
4 low, prone.
11 outright, peremptory, categorical.
14 boring, spiritless, prosaic.
17 vapid, unsavory.

OTHER WORDS FROM flat

flat·ly, adverb flat·ness, noun un·flat·ted, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for flat out (1 of 2)

See also flats

Derived forms of flat

flatly, adverb flatness, noun

Word Origin for flat

C14: from Old Norse flatr; related to Old High German flaz flat, Greek platus flat, broad

British Dictionary definitions for flat out (2 of 2)

flat 2
/ (flæt) /

noun

a set of rooms comprising a residence entirely on one floor of a building Usual US and Canadian name: apartment
British and NZ a portion of a house used as separate living quarters
NZ a house shared with people who are not members of one's own family

verb flats, flatting or flatted (intr)

Australian and NZ to live in a flat (with someone)

Word Origin for flat

Old English flett floor, hall, house; related to flat 1

Idioms and Phrases with flat out (1 of 2)

flat out

1

In a direct manner, bluntly. For example, He told the true story flat out. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

2

At top speed, as in She was running flat out to catch the train. [Slang; c. 1930]

Idioms and Phrases with flat out (2 of 2)

flat