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Glite Dictionary
➖ No activity ➖ To stop living ➖ To stop changing
to flatline

to flatline

3 6.1
To stop changing or getting better and stay at the same level
  • verb
  • /ˈflætˌlaɪn/
translation icon : estancarse
  • Investments in that sector have flatlined, with no significant growth expected.
  • stock flatlined
  • her career flatlined

The rest of America is sort of flatlining in terms of real wage growth.

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Examples

  • The market has flatlined so far during earnings.

    Blog text (18)

  • Maybe 2020 will bring us viable alternatives, but if the economy continues to flatline, I fear what our choices are then.

    Blog text (25)

  • When you flatline a bit, you don't post for two weeks.

  • The rest of America is sort of flatlining in terms of real wage growth.

    The Prof G Pod – Scott Galloway

  • Spending went up and up for so long and then flatlined when the credit dried up.

    Blog text (8)

  • Last year we estimated the company made about $10 million, and in light of recent headlines, we are inclined to believe growth has flatlined.

    Blog text (6)

  • The latest data show gross domestic product flatlined in the first quarter, largely because the ongoing turmoil has sapped business and consumer confidence and spending.

    Blog text (33)

  • And unlike in many other developed countries, where the proportion of young adults with associate's or bachelor's degrees has soared over the last decade, the figure has flatlined in the United States.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The company's profits flatlined after reaching their peak last year.

  • After the initial surge, his weight flatlined, showing no change for several months.

Synonyms

to level off
vsto flatline
17 3.9

Become steady after rising or falling

remain constant without implying a prior rise or fall
to plateau
vsto flatline
1 5.1

To stop increasing and stay at the same level for a while

describe staying unchanged without limiting the sense to prior increase

Antonyms

to change
∞ 1.0

To make something or someone different

progress
∞ 2.5

Forward change toward a goal or better state

How Variable

to fluctuate
52 6.3
to surge
41 3.7
to increase
∞ 1.0
to plateau
1 5.1
to flatline
3 6.1

Surface Forms

flatline infinitive
flatlined past
flatlined past participle
flatlining present participle
flatlines third person singular

Morphology

flatline = flat + line (transparent) = flat + line

The figurative sense 'to remain constant / show no change' follows directly from the literal notion of a line being flat (unchanging), so learners who know the parts can readily infer this sense.

Etymology

The word flatline can mean 'to stop changing' and comes from the idea of a flat 'level' line on a monitor that does not move. So when numbers, feelings, or progress flatline, they stay at the same level with no growth or change.