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flat

flat

158 4.4
In a direct and blunt way
  • adverb
  • /flæt/
: francamente
  • I'll just flat out say yes and why?
  • flat out

So they're hesitant or they're scared to flat out let you know what's going on.

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Examples

  • I had him on my podcast nine years ago and I told him flat out, everyone can look it up.

  • And Brian's parents were just ignoring her, flat out ignoring her texts.

  • I was like OK and then he flat out said that the dog thought I was ugly.

  • - I mean, I wanna come see you, I mean, I suggested it to your mom but she flat out refused.

  • I'm going to tell you flat out, you have got to tie your existence to your creator.

  • New rule flat out don't ask me nothing that you can find out on the Internet.

  • And when I was talking to the the head of that project, I just asked him flat out, are you interested in this project being successful or are you committed to it?

  • Thankfully, George Stephanopoulos just asked Trump flat out if he and Putin have a relationship.

  • I just flat don't like the house rules, Murph.

  • I'm going to tell you flat out, you have got to tie your existence to your creator.

Synonyms

straight-up
vsflat
  • Informal
144 7.9

Used to say something is completely honest without exaggeration

is comparable but leans toward firmer bluntness
straight
vsflat
142 1.6

In an honest and direct way

is more cutting and blunt rather than merely plain
directly
vsflat
106 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

is similar but carries a sharper bluntness in tone
flat out
vsflat
  • Informal
85 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

is similar but often feels sterner and less colloquial
bluntly
vsflat
36 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

is equally direct but with extra blunt firmness
point blank
vsflat
  • Informal
35 5.0

In a very direct way without trying to hide anything

is equally blunt but often less abrupt in delivery
flatly
vsflat
35 4.6

In a firm way that shows no doubt

is blunt but can allow more candid openness
straight-out
vsflat
29 6.1

Completely direct with no doubt or excuse

is blunt too but with more everyday candid tone
candidly
vsflat
25 4.1

In an honest, direct way without hiding your true thoughts

is harsher and more blunt than simple frank honesty
forthrightly
vsflat
6 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is more blunt and forceful rather than only straightforward
baldly
vsflat
3 7.2

In a plain, direct way that does not make bad news seem softer

is more general bluntness rather than focusing on harsh facts
brusquely
vsflat
3 7.4

In a short, rude way that shows little patience

is blunt as well but less rude and more candid
trenchantly
vsflat
  • Formal
1 8.6

Saying or writing in a strong, clear way that shows problems

is blunt but less focused on sharp critical force
bluffly
vsflat
1 8.0

In a direct, sometimes abrupt way that shows little patience

is blunt too but more evenly forthright than abrupt

Antonyms

18 7.3

Not giving a direct answer to hide the truth or avoid commitment

12 4.3

Saying or doing something without being clear

Idioms

flat out
  • Informal
85 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

flat out
  • Informal
11 4.3

To do something as fast and as hard as possible

nothing flat
  • Informal
2 8.5

Very quickly without delay

in nothing flat
  • Archaic
1 7.0

In a very short time

Lying on the back on the ground because someone is tired, hurt, or sick

To fail completely and feel embarrassed in front of others

Compounds

49 2.2

A tire with little or no air that cannot work properly

5 4.2

Having a level top surface

4 4.8

A flat area of land covered with salt after water dries

3 3.7

Having a level base that is not curved

flat earther
  • Informal
3 9.9

A person who believes the Earth is flat

2 3.4

A thing that has a flat top like a table or a low hill

2 4.1

A flat area of mud near the coast that is underwater at high tide and dry at low tide

An herb with flat broad leaves that people use in cooking for its strong flavor

1 9.0

A person who believes the Earth is flat

cold-water flat
  • Archaic
1 8.8

An apartment in an old building that has no hot running water or central heating

flat panel display
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A thin, flat screen for computers and televisions

1 3.4

A rounded hat with a small stiff brim at the front, often made of wool or tweed

1 8.1

An apartment with all rooms in a row connected by doors, often with no hallway

1 3.1

A strong, flat surface you lie on to lift weights

flat chat
  • Informal
1 9.0

A dull conversation with little energy or interest

A tool with a flat tip that lets you turn screws with a straight slot

flat file
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A hand tool with a rough flat surface that you move to smooth or shape wood and metal

1 3.1

A container with a level base that stands steadily

A friendly hunting dog with a long shiny black or brown coat that brings back animals from water and land

flat coat
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A first thin layer of paint you apply before the final layers

1 4.1

Having a stomach that is flat and not rounded

alluvial flat
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A flat area of land made by soil left by rivers

1 5.5

A thin smooth band of material used to hold or carry things like bags

flat arch
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A straight horizontal top for a door or window made of angled stones that support each other

1 8.6

A European perennial plant with purple and pink flowers grown for animal feed and to improve soil

A clarinet tuned to B-flat that is commonly used in bands and orchestras

1 4.1

A boat with a level hull for shallow, calm water

common flat pea
  • Australian
7.6

A low spreading evergreen bush from southern Australia with orange-yellow flowers and flat winged pods

double flat
  • Specialized
8.4

A music sign placed before a note that makes it sound one whole tone lower

9.3

A cut of beef from the sirloin next to the wedge bone

5.3

Large flat laundry items like sheets and towels that are ironed by machine

flat knot
  • Specialized
3.6

A simple tie that joins two ropes securely, often used in sailing and wrapping packages

flat pea
  • Australian
9.0

A low evergreen shrub with heart-shaped leaves, bright yellow pea-like flowers, and flat seed pods

9.9

A North American plant that lives for many years with flat clusters of small white flowers

How Direct

bluntly
36 4.6
flat
158 4.4
frankly
∞ 3.2
plainly
2 1.8
politely
97 1.0

Surface Forms

flat positive

Etymology

Flat as an adverb meaning 'directly' or bluntly comes from the idea of something plain and level, without decoration. Saying something flat means saying it simply and clearly, with no softening.