flat out
Definition
- Adverb:
- At maximum speed or effort: Used to describe moving or working with the greatest possible intensity, energy, or speed.
- Directly and without reservation; bluntly: Used to describe speaking or stating something in an utterly straightforward, uncompromising manner.
Usage Examples
- Adverb (At maximum speed/effort):
- The team is working flat out to finish the project before the deadline.
- She ran flat out for the last 100 meters of the race.
- Adverb (Bluntly, directly):
- He told me flat out that my idea wouldn't work.
- The manager stated flat out that no exceptions would be made.
Advanced Usage
- "to go flat out": To proceed or work at maximum capacity or speed.
- The factory is going flat out to meet the new demand.
- Used as an intensifier before an adjective to mean "absolutely" or "completely" (informal).
- After the long journey, I was flat out exhausted.
Variants and Related Words
- Flat-out (Adjective): Unqualified, absolute, direct. Often used before a noun.
- That's a flat-out lie.
- He made a flat-out refusal to participate.
Synonyms
- At full tilt: At full speed or force.
- Full blast: With maximum power or effort.
- Bluntly: In a direct and uncompromising manner.
- Categorically: In an unqualified or unconditional way.
Related Phrases
- Like blue murder (idiom, chiefly British): Used to describe moving very fast. (Note: This is a related idiom from the reference context, not a phrasal verb of "flat out").
- He drove off like blue murder.
Notes
- When used as an adverb meaning "at top speed," it often modifies verbs related to motion or work (e.g., ).
- When used as an adverb meaning "bluntly," it often modifies verbs of communication (e.g., ).
- The hyphenated form "flat-out" is commonly used when functioning as an adjective.
Adverb
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at top speed
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he ran flat out to catch the bus
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he was off down the road like blue murder
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in a blunt direct manner
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he spoke bluntly
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he stated his opinion flat-out
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he was criticized roundly
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