flat-out

The runner went flat-out to cross the finish line first.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Complete and total: "flat-out" describes something that is absolute, unreserved, or unequivocal in nature.
   • At maximum speed or effort: Used to indicate that something is done with the utmost intensity or without any restraint.

2. Adverb:

   • In a direct and blunt manner: "flat-out" means to say or do something without hesitation, qualification, or subtlety.
   • At top speed or with full effort: Refers to moving or working as fast or as hard as possible.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • That is a flat-out lie. (A complete and total falsehood.)
  • The car was moving at flat-out speed. (The car was traveling at its maximum speed.)

• Adverb:

  • She told him flat-out that she was not interested. (She said it directly and without any softening.)
  • He ran flat-out to catch the bus. (He ran at his fastest possible pace.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be flat-out wrong": to be completely and undeniably incorrect.

  • His analysis was flat-out wrong, as the data clearly showed. (His analysis had no element of truth.)

• "to work flat-out": to work with maximum effort and without rest.

  • The team worked flat-out to meet the deadline. (They worked at full capacity, non-stop.)

Variants and Related Words

• Flat-out (n): a state of maximum speed or effort (rare as a noun).

  • The engine was running at flat-out for hours. (The engine was operating at its highest power.)

• Flat (adj): without variation; absolute (used in similar contexts, e.g., "a flat refusal").

Synonyms

• Outright: complete and direct, without reservation.
• Utterly: to the fullest extent; completely.
• All-out: involving all possible effort or resources.
• Downright: thoroughly; absolutely (often used for negative qualities).

Phrasal Verbs

• (None directly associated with "flat-out" as a single word; it is itself a phrasal adjective/adverb.)

Related Idioms

• Flat-out like a lizard drinking: (Australian slang) working very hard or moving very fast.

  • He's flat-out like a lizard drinking to finish the project. (He is working at maximum speed.)

• Go flat-out: to proceed at the highest possible speed or intensity.

  • The race car driver went flat-out on the final lap. (He drove at full speed without slowing down.)