View synonyms for

flat-out

[flat-out]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

Informal.

moving or working at top speed or with maximum effort; all-out.
a flat-out effort by all contestants.
downright; thoroughgoing.
Many of the paintings were flat-out forgeries.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of flat-out¹

First recorded in 1925–30

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Idioms and Phrases

In a direct manner, bluntly. For example, He told the true story flat out . [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]

At top speed, as in She was running flat out to catch the train . [ Slang ; c. 1930]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And they said the alliance is the party that’s “flat-out ignoring” the terms of the agreement.

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I cannot express enough how innovative, thoughtful, and flat-out delicious every course was.

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Late last week, without the mainstream media noticing, Gabbard started pushing the flat-out lie that President Joe Biden was labeling Americans as "terrorists" because they opposed COVID-19 mitigation measures like masks and vaccines.

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Most of those who inhale Trump's "white genocide" lies wouldn't say flat-out that they want to reinstate apartheid or Jim Crow.

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Most of those who willingly inhale Trump’s “white genocide” lies wouldn't say flat-out that they want to reinstate apartheid or Jim Crow or slavery.

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flat on one's back flat-pack

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