flat out
85
7.0
- idiom
- Informal
- She told him flat out that she was unhappy with his decision.
- flat out said
- flat out told
- flat out asked
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Watch on YouTubeSometimes Steve Bannon's film is just flat out wrong or bizarre.
- Sometimes Steve Bannon's film is just flat out wrong or bizarre.
- So there are some guys out there who are just flat out predators.
- So Joe Biden is flat out lying when he says that.
- And he was just the most flat out racist guy ever.
- But but he he's issued contradictory, just flat out wrong statements all along.
- Just like flat out fucking rude for no fucking reason.
- Well, you know, racial profiling is, is flat out wrong.
- I started reading his letters and they were flat out amazing.
- I might just flat out disconnect from you because it's just too much.
- He told her flat out I do not want kid like I I like you.
- I think what is a much more effective prayer is just asking God flat out, is this the man for me?
- I had him on my podcast nine years ago and I told him flat out, everyone can look it up.
- And we won at the that the High Court, the judges fairly like pretty much just said flat out like this is this is crazy what you're doing.
Examples
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If you have something to say to me, say it flat out.
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Sometimes you have to just flat-out ask him what he wants and take him at face value.
Blog text (25) -
And it just flat out did not happen.
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Even so, why would he flat out say he killed her?
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I asked her flat out, and I was sorry I had.
Fiction book (1991) -
So Joe Biden is flat out lying when he says that.
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And in one case they flat out told me this is what's valuable to me.
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The authors say flat-out that it's questionable whether this would be legal in the US.
Blog text (25) -
You might be independent, but you are still spouting Democrat talking points that are flat-out lies.
Blog text (31) -
The corporate leadership at Hostess flat out admits to being fiscally irresponsible and making bad decisions.
Blog text (13)
Synonyms
144
7.9
Used to say something is completely honest without exaggeration
142
1.6
In an honest and direct way
123
1.3
In a truthful way that shows you mean what you say
106
1.4
In a clear honest way, saying what you think
48
3.7
In a direct and firm way without avoiding the issue
36
4.6
In a direct way that is not polite
35
5.0
In a very direct way without trying to hide anything
35
4.6
In a firm way that shows no doubt
29
6.1
Completely direct with no doubt or excuse
25
4.1
In an honest, direct way without hiding your true thoughts
20
4.3
Directly and openly, without hiding or delay
6
6.7
In a direct and honest way without hiding anything
5
3.9
In a clear, honest way without hiding anything
3
7.1
Completely and without holding back
3
7.2
In a plain, direct way that does not make bad news seem softer
3
7.4
In a short, rude way that shows little patience
1
6.0
In a complete and direct way, without any doubt
1
7.2
In a direct and bold way
Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think
Antonyms
74
4.2
In a way that does not say something clearly, often by a hint or through someone else
How Direct
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'as fast/as hard as possible' is partially derivable because 'flat' can function as an intensifier meaning 'completely' and 'out' adds emphatic extension, so there is a visible compositional link to extreme degree. However, the particular combination is conventionalized and not a straightforward spatial or literal composition, so a B1 learner who only knows basic senses of 'flat' (level/plain) and 'out' (away) may not reliably infer the idiomatic intensive meaning.
Etymology
Flat out may come from the image of laying a fact flat on the table so everyone can see it. That's why it means 'to say something directly' without softening.