flat1 adjectiveflat2 nounflat3 adverb
flatflat1 /flæt/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective (comparative flatter, superlative flattest) 
WORD ORIGINflat1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old Norse flatrEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a flat, sandy beach
- Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles.
- Focaccia, an Italian flat bread, has become very popular for sandwiches.
- Home prices have stayed flat for the past year.
- I don't know why some English people prefer flat beer.
- Stack the crepes on a flat plate.
- That champagne must have gone flat by now
- The game just seemed kind of flat, like they didn't care.
- The horn was a little flat.
- This Coke is completely flat.
- We sat down on a big flat rock.
- We swam out to a flat rock to sunbathe.
- Worries over the economy have kept attendance flat at California's theme parks.
- If by fair you mean that everyone pays the same proportion of his income in taxes, the flat tax comes closer.
- Investors on Wall Street applauded the results, even though sales at stores open at least a year were essentially flat.
- It was flat and smooth under her thick gray cotton underpants.
- Roofs, particularly flat roofs, can be damaged as a result of weight of snow lying on them.
- Tails are assumed to act as stiff flat plates with continuous surfaces.
- There was a neat solid bulge where her flat belly had been.
- Would a flat tax save taxpayers money and time, or is it a rip-off that would help only the rich?
THESAURUS
on one level, without any holes or raised areas, and not sloping or curving: · a flat roof· a flat screen· Before you lay the tiles, make sure that the ground is completely flat.
not sloping in any direction, so that every part is at the same height: · Is the top of this picture level?· After four hours coming down the mountain, I was glad to be back on level ground.
without any holes or raised areas – used especially when saying how something feels when you touch it: · her lovely smooth skin· I ran my hand across the animal’s smooth fur.
without any holes or raised areas: · Apply the paint to an even surface.· Be careful – the path is not very even here.
going straight across and not sloping: · a horizontal line· Raise both arms to a horizontal position.
Longman Language Activatorflat and smooth a place that is flat has no hills or mountains; a surface or object that is flat has no raised or curved parts: · Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles.· a flat, sandy beach· We sat down on a big flat rock.· Focaccia, an Italian flat bread, has become very popular for sandwiches.
a smooth surface feels completely flat and has no rough or raised parts, especially in a way that is pleasant and attractive: · The marble table felt smooth and cold against her arm.· She has lovely smooth skin.
a surface such as a floor or road that is even is completely flat and all its parts are at the same height: · The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles.· After driving for so long on the gravel I was glad to get on an even stretch of road.
not sloping or vertical · In those days the houses all had flat roofs.· We lay flat on our backs and stared up at the sky.
a surface or area that is level does not slope in any direction: · He looked for a strip of level ground where he could land the plane.· These shelves aren't level.
a horizontal line, position, or surface is completely straight, flat, and not sloping, and is parallel with the ground or the bottom of something: · The cliff revealed horizontal layers of rock.horizontal line: · The teacher drew a long, horizontal line across the blackboard.horizontal position: · The wine bottles should be kept in a horizontal position.
something that is on its side has been moved from its usual upright position to a horizontal position: · One of the vehicles in the accident still lay on its side, blocking all four traffic lanes.· Place the chicken on its side in a baking dish and roast for 20 minutes.· A dog was pulling garbage out of a trash can which was lying on its side in the street.
to make something flat to make something flat, especially something that is not usually flat: · The wind and rain had flattened the crops.· Roll the dough into a ball and then flatten it with a rolling pin.
to make a piece of land flat and stop it sloping in any direction: · It is important to level the land before planting.level something off/out: · The site of the explosion has now been levelled out and is going to be made into a memorial garden.
to make something flat by rolling it, pressing it etc: · Roll the pastry flat and cut out two 8-inch circles.· Please squash all aluminum cans flat before placing them in the bin.
to make the surface of something such as paper or cloth completely flat and smooth: · She removed her cap and smoothed her lush black hair.smooth something down/out: · Across the table, Tanya smoothed down her skirt and looked at her watch.· Every morning she smoothes the bedclothes out and dusts the room.
to lay something flat on a surface · Lay the skirt flat on an ironing board and cover it with a damp cloth.· The fish are laid flat on a board and scraped with the back of a knife to remove the scales.· Realizing the man had a back injury, we laid him flat on the ground and waited for the ambulance to arrive.
to carefully put something or someone into a horizontal position: lay something/somebody down: · We carried the injured child over to the bed and laid her down.lay something/somebody down on/in etc: · She folded her scarf and laid it down on the seat next to her.lay down something/somebody: · "That thing weighs a ton,'' said Ian, laying down the marble slab on the floor.
when a road, piece of land etc becomes flat · The road widens and flattens as it nears the sea.· Towards the top of the hill the ground flattens out and the climb should be easier.
to become flat and level, especially after sloping: · Where the path levels out you will find an old cottage.· After climbing steeply through woodland the lane levelled off.
not flat or smooth not flat - use this about roads, walls, areas, land etc where the surface is not smooth because there are a lot of stones or small raised parts: · A rough gravel trail was the only way into town.· rough mountain paths· the rough stone walls of the old castle
a bumpy road, path, or area of land has a lot of holes and raised parts in it: · The field was too bumpy to play football on.· Neal drove the last mile down the bumpy road towards the highway.bumpy ride (=when you are travelling in a vehicle on an uneven surface): · Fasten your seatbelt, this ride may be bumpy.
an uneven surface has areas that are not flat or not all at the same level: · His teeth were yellow and uneven.· The old uneven brick sidewalk was ripped up and replaced.
a bed or chair that is lumpy has lumps under the surface so that it is uncomfortable to sit on or lie on: · Sandra lay on the lumpy mattress, unable to sleep.· I paid $40 a week for a tiny room with a lumpy couch and a battered old desk.
not level something that is sloping is higher at one end than at the other: · an old hotel with lovely sloping lawns· A gently sloping bank led down to the stream.
if the ground or a surface slopes , it is not level but goes gradually upwards or downwards: slope downwards/upwards/away/into etc: · The garden sloped down gradually towards the sea.· Tilt the board so that it is sloping upwards away from you.
with lots of hills or mountains an area of land that is hilly has lots of hills: · the hilly farmlands of New Jersey· The vineyards are hilly and difficult to cultivate.
: rolling hills/fields/farmland etc with a lot of rounded, not very steep hills and valleys, especially when this looks attractive: · The castle is set in rolling hills to the north of Orvieto.· He stood at the top of the hill, admiring the rolling landscape.
an area of land that is mountainous has lots of high mountains: · The mainland of Greece is mountainous and largely infertile.· Fog and rain are common in the mountainous regions near the border.
drinks that contain gas or do not contain gas also fizzy British carbonated or fizzy drinks have gas in them: · fizzy lemonade· I don't like fizzy drinks much.· I'd like a glass of carbonated mineral water, please.
sparkling water or wine has gas in it: · a sweet, sparkling wine· a bottle of sparkling mineral water
British /uncarbonated American still or uncarbonated drinks, especially water, do not have gas in them: · Would you like that still or sparkling, madam?
if a drink that should contain gas is flat , there is no gas left in and it is not pleasant to drink: · I don't know why some English people prefer flat beer.go flat: · That champagne must have gone flat by now.
what you say when you refuse to do something · "Can you come and help move these boxes?" "No, sorry, I'm busy."· "You're sick - you need to stay in bed." "No, I have to be at this meeting."
spoken use this to firmly refuse to do something and say that nothing will change your mind: · "Why don't you phone him and apologize.'' "No way -- I haven't done anything wrong!''· No way am I going to look after all three children on my own!· There's no way I'm going to put up with rudeness like that!
spoken use this to tell someone that there is no chance at all of you doing something: · "Maybe things will sort themselves out in time." "Forget it, the relationship's over."· As for the idea of going on holiday together, forget it!
British spoken use this when you think that what someone has asked you to do is stupid or dangerous: · "Are you coming to that lecture this evening?" "Not likely - there's free beer at the Queen's Arms tonight!"
British spoken that's final American spoken used after you have refused to do something, in order to show that you will not change your mind or discuss your decision: · I'm not coming, and that's flat. Now stop bothering me.· There's no way I'm helping Ted move again, and that's final.
WORD SETSabsolute advantage, aggregate demand, AGM, nounagribusiness, nounairline, nounappurtenance, nounassessment, nounbad debt, nounbalance sheet, nounbankroll, verbbankrupt, adjectivebankrupt, verbbankrupt, nounbankruptcy, nounbargain, verbbargain basement, nounbaron, nounbill of sale, nounbiz, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounboom, nounboom and bust, nounboom town, nounbrown goods, nounbubble, nounbudget surplus, business card, nounbusiness cycle, business hours, nounbuyout, nouncapital, nouncapital-intensive, adjectivechamber of commerce, nounclerical, adjectiveconsumer, nounconsumer goods, noundisposable income, noundownturn, noundrive-through, nouneconomically, adverbfinancial, adjectiveflat, adjectivefree enterprise, noungiveaway, adjectiveincrement, nounindustry, nouninflate, verbinflated, adjectiveinflation, nouninflationary, adjectiveinsolvent, adjectiveinstitution, nouninterest, nounintroduction, nounlivery, nounlow season, nounlucrative, adjectiveMBA, nounmemo, nounmentoring, nounnegotiable, adjectivenegotiate, verbnegotiation, nounnon-profit, adjectiveopen, verboperational research, nounowner-occupied, adjectivepack, nounpackage, nounpaperwork, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpay, verbpcm, peppercorn rent, nounpersonal assistant, nounplanned obsolescence, nounpp., quarter, nounquarter day, nounquota, nounquote, verbready-made, adjectivereal estate, nounrebate, nounredeem, verbredevelop, verbrefund, nounrent, nounshutdown, nounsliding scale, nounsubcontract, verbsubcontractor, nountariff, nounundercut, verbundersubscribed, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
a perfectly flat sandy beach The countryside near there is flat as a pancake (=very flat). Clients are charged a flat rate of £250 annually. We charge a flat fee for car hire. Have you checked that the batteries haven’t gone flat (=become flat)?COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. her low-heeled blue shoes Lay the material flat on the table.
a perfectly flat sandy beach The countryside near there is flat as a pancake (=very flat). Clients are charged a flat rate of £250 annually. We charge a flat fee for car hire. Have you checked that the batteries haven’t gone flat (=become flat)? Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. British English, dead American English (=with no more electricity in it)· I'd left the headlights on and the battery was completely flat.
British English· Three new blocks of flats were built on the land.
(=completely broke)
(also a cloth cap) British English (=made of cloth with a stiff piece that sticks out at the front)· We saw an old man in a jacket and a brown flat cap.
· The countryside around here is dead flat all the way to the sea.
(=a fee that is the same in every case)· You pay a flat fee for all the services that are provided.
(=having a medical condition in which someone’s feet rest flat on the ground, with no curved part)· We’ve both got slightly flat feet.
her low-heeled blue shoes (=people don’t find a joke funny)· His practical jokes usually fell flat.
Lay the material flat on the table. (=someone you share a house, room etc with)
· Here a group of small hills rises unexpectedly out of the flat plain.
(=one that does not change)· Profits were taxed at a flat rate of 45 percent.
(=definite and direct)· She had not anticipated a flat refusal.
· She used to sunbathe on the flat roof.
(=with no high heel)· Flat shoes are much more comfortable for walking in.
· Put the compass on a flat surface.
(=a tax that is the same for different people or things)· Corporate taxes are to be abolished and replaced by a flat rate tax.
· a buyer’s guide to the latest flat screen televisions
(=one which the air has come out of)· I had a flat tyre and had to walk home.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· The lower cut must be perfectly flat and angled to match the oblique cut on the rootstock.· You saw a perfectly flat, formless nothing.· Don't be over-concerned if the ground in front of you doesn't seem perfectly flat.· The surface need not be perfectly flat or smooth.· Make sure the lining is lying perfectly flat and smooth against blind fabric and square to it.· I can flood the paper using this frame and be sure that once dry it will return to a perfectly flat surface.
NOUN· Read in studio An inquest has been told that a plane crashed because it had a flat battery.· Most mail bombs contain a flat battery, like the type used in watches.· Mr Andrews, of Pyle, Mid-Glamorgan, said yesterday the flat battery meant his daughter arrived five minutes later at hospital.· When we arrived at Selsit, we would exchange the flat battery for a fully charged one and walk back.· He led me to his house and in a few minutes I had diagnosed the trouble - a flat battery.
· Seven-six, Rutshire were in the lead - the ground erupted, flat caps were being hurled in the air.· Glancing towards the car park, I am transfixed by the sight of a man in a flat cap cleaning our car.· Newley was wearing a flat cap made of tweed.· He was holding a flat cap full of coins.· He was wearing a flat cap, a suit and a choker, and there were dock gates in the background.· An elderly man in flat cap and going-out clothes was leaning against the fence, stick hanging from a crooked elbow.
· One, for the World Resources Institute, compared ten cities that had pay-to-throw schemes with four others that charged flat fees.· Girobank charges a flat fee of £5 per draft and Barclays £9.· You can either pay a flat fee for your access or pay per megabyte of traffic coming down your line.· At present, they pay a flat fee for a license.
· I thought your flat feet were firmly on the ground and your grubby little fingers always ready to grab the golden egg.· Carla Sloane was out on the lane, her huge flat feet surrounded by cases, umbrella and bags.· He strutted about the office on his flat feet and smiled too much.· At school they had once heard of some animal which had become extinct because of its huge flat feet.· Fagg fitted in: his eyesight was very poor and he had flat feet.
· It is sited unusually, on flat land rather than atop one of the encircling hills.· The alternative was to ride along the main highways, which tend to hug the flat land along valley bottoms.· This covers a large portion of flat land and could take the largest planes available, even by today's standards.· They looked large against the light pouring down over the flat land.· Just the other side of the Humber estuary another long distance path heads through the flat lands of the Lincolnshire Wolds.· They are situated on a slight south-east incline amidst surrounding flat lands.
· Flat rate farmers will have to issue invoices for all supplies of goods and services where the flat rate addition is added.· The phone company said the flat rate is an addition to its Sprint Sense program, which it began a year ago.· Class 2 contributions are payable at a flat rate while Class 4 contributions are payable as a percentage of profits.· Forbes wanted to simplify filing taxes by narrowing the current five rates to a single flat rate.· More than three out of five taxpayers pay a flat rate of 15 percent already.· Therefore, an 11 percent flat rate theoretically would yield the same amount.· It will cost a flat rate of £39.99 per month, which includes line rental and installation.· Forbes, who is calling for a 17 percent flat rate, would not tax dividends, interest or capital gains.
· Since we now insulate above loft ceilings and within flat roof structures, the air space above the insulation is cold.· Those buildings include triple deckers with flat roofs and large roofs such as those on department stores and supermarkets.· Roofs, particularly flat roofs, can be damaged as a result of weight of snow lying on them.· An adobe box is what it is, with flat roof and copper spouts to drain rainwater at either corner.· There had once been an outside staircase leading up to the flat roof but that, too, had collapsed.· The new, improved materials available have gone a long way towards extending the lifespan of today's flat roof.· This is labour intensive and a suitable flat roof site has to be found.· Which has a flat roof behind a parapet so you can't see it from the street.
· Philip worked a flat stone out of the earth by the roots of the beech tree.· Kali sat down on a flat stone, sighing with relief.· A large circular flat stone on the green is said to be the remains of the market cross.· Spawning is easy, so provide flat stones for spawning sites.· Under rubble in bomb-sites and they didn't get any nice flat stone with writing either.· It had plucked Mariana from the pillion seat, skittering her against the current like a flat stone skipped across a pond.· There were some blankets on a flat stone where the man slept.· You can often find a colony by looking under large flat stones, planks of wood or rubble lying on the soil.
· But then she realized that laid out before her was a flat surface.· When a circularly polarized signal is reflected from a flat surface, the direction of polarization is reversed.· If the strip becomes curled when you cut it, put it on a hard flat surface and hammer it flat.· Soften the lemon by rolling it back and forth along a flat surface.· Place the sensor on a flat surface and rotate it slowly through 360°.· Gently press down to form an even, flat surface.· He was already advancing up the truck as Ward slithered down on to the flat surface of it.· Meanwhile, take cookies and place them in a plastic bag on a flat surface.
· Voters who prefer a flat tax think it will lead to a rising standard of living, according to the poll.· Forbes' campaign maintains that his ideas, including his call for a flat tax, are powering his rise.· The real question for Bob Dole is: Does he support a flat tax that is a tax cut?· The poll showed the publicity about Forbes' candidacy and the flat tax is registering with Californians.· In Colorado, the number of voters backing the flat tax rose to 60 percent.· Former rival Steve Forbes has urged Dole to adopt the flat tax idea that was central to Forbes' presidential campaign.· First of all, the mandate would look like a flat tax on each worker.
· He had no useful information about the shooting that took place nearby as Cosby changed a flat tire, police said.· If you have a flat tire, stuff like that happens.· The doctoral student was apparently attempting to change a flat tire when his assailant struck.· She explains to Jose that they have a flat tire and muse go back down the road to the big house.· Suppose he had a flat tire?· Tight shoes A motorcycle with two flat tires.· In the above case, it would be contextually inappropriate to be only reporting a flat tire at a gas station.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► E flat/B flat/A flat etc► and that’s flat!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► flat-footed/four-footed► job-hunting/house-hunting/flat-hunting► house/flat with vacant possession
- In many cases where a request has been made, it has met with a flat refusal.
- One or other of them drafted a statement which was a flat denial that he had misbehaved either sexually or politically.
- She had not anticipated a flat refusal.
- There'd been a chorus of objection then and a flat refusal from Becky to stay with the younger children.
- Arthur was flat on his back under the car.
- I've been flat on my back with the flu all week.
- Babs said it was all very well but had he forgotten their leading man was flat on his back in Sefton General?
- What else would he need if he were going to be flat on his back or stomach?
- He's been flat on his back in the hospital for a week.
- After I was on its back, we all took off again on a run.
- Her eyes opened; she was on her back.
- His father was on his back night and day.
- The child was on her back, unconscious.
- The jelly cupboard was on its back, its contents lying in a heap in the corner of the bottom shelf.
- The result is that the liter pop bottle you tossed out six months ago may be on your back today.
- The sun was on his back as he swung himself over her and her long legs parted in expectation.
- What else would he need if he were going to be flat on his back or stomach?
- At first, Gorbachev's political ideas fell flat.
- Koppel's clumsy joke fell flat.
- Your joke about the nuns really fell flat, didn't it?
- But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.
- He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.
- However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.
- I knew it would fall flat; but it wasn't the bad script which made the film unsuccessful.
- Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.
- The recent recession caught managers flat-footed and unprepared.
- In the wall both houses shared there was a little chink.
- Many brokerage house shares were also lower.
- The facility also houses shared and dedicated web hosting servers.
- After decent dousing on Splash Mountain, need to go into spin cycle to dry off.
- At four hundred feet he hadn't enough altitude from which he could recover if he went into a spin.
- But Yoyo, just frozen in a spin, happens to look up and see him.
- EuroDisney, ahead of Thursday's figures, was in a spin.
- Incidentally, if an aircraft is very difficult to get into a spin, it also may be very difficult to recover.
- The tundras will drag you into a spin.
WORD FAMILYnounflatflatnessadverbflatflatlyadjectiveflatverbflatten
1surface smooth and level, without raised or hollow areas, and not sloping or curving: houses with flat roofs a perfectly flat sandy beach The countryside near there is flat as a pancake (=very flat). Work on a clean, flat surface.2money a flat rate, amount of money etc is fixed and does not change or have anything added to it: Clients are charged a flat rate of £250 annually. We charge a flat fee for car hire.3tyre/ball a flat tyre or ball has no air or not enough air in it4not deep not very deep, thick, or high, especially in comparison to its width or length: The cake came out of the oven flat, not fluffy.5drink a drink that is flat does not taste fresh because it has no more bubbles of gas in it OPP fizzy6not interesting [not before noun] a performance, book etc that is flat lacks interest, excitement, or energy: Arsenal looked flat for large parts of the game.7battery British English a flat battery has lost its electrical power SYN dead American English: Have you checked that the batteries haven’t gone flat (=become flat)?8business/trade if prices, economic conditions, trade etc are flat, they have not increased or improved over a period of time: Analysts are expecting flat sales in the coming months.9E flat/B flat/A flat etc a musical note that is one semitone lower than the note E, B, A etc10musical sound if a musical note is flat, it is played or sung slightly lower than it should be OPP sharp11voice not showing much emotion, or not changing much in sound as you speak: ‘He’s dead,’ she said in a flat voice.12a flat refusal/denial etc a refusal etc that is definite and which someone will not change: Our requests were met with a flat refusal.13be flat on your back a)to be lying down so that all of your back is touching the floor b)to be very ill so that you have to stay in bed for a period of time: I’ve been flat on my back with the flu all week.14shoes flat shoes have very low heels15light having little variety of light and dark: Flat lighting is typical of Avedon’s portraits.16and that’s flat! British English spoken old-fashioned used to say that you will definitely not change what you have just said SYN and that’s that: I won’t go, and that’s flat!—flatness noun [uncountable] → in/into a flat spin at spin2(6), → flat feetTHESAURUSflat on one level, without any holes or raised areas, and not sloping or curving: · a flat roof· a flat screen· Before you lay the tiles, make sure that the ground is completely flat.level not sloping in any direction, so that every part is at the same height: · Is the top of this picture level?· After four hours coming down the mountain, I was glad to be back on level ground.smooth without any holes or raised areas – used especially when saying how something feels when you touch it: · her lovely smooth skin· I ran my hand across the animal’s smooth fur.even without any holes or raised areas: · Apply the paint to an even surface.· Be careful – the path is not very even here.horizontal going straight across and not sloping: · a horizontal line· Raise both arms to a horizontal position.flat1 adjectiveflat2 nounflat3 adverb
flatflat2 ●●● S2 W3 noun [countable] WORD ORIGINflat2
Origin:
1 1800-1900 Scottish English flet ‘inside of a house’ (14-19 centuries) (influenced by ➔ FLAT1)2-7 1200-1300 ➔ FLAT1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a group of students in a shared flat
- Lisa lives on the nineteenth floor of a black of flats in London.
- Stella and Keith moved into a cold, damp flat together.
- Headlines about local councils demolishing blocks of flats 10 years old or younger have become commonplace in the past four years.
- Prices start from £40,995 for a studio and £49,995 for one-bedroom flats.
- Sitting in the high-ceilinged library of his comfortable flat, he looks the part: bespectacled, a man of thoughtful pose.
- The Government is restoring several of them as holiday flats, a slow process but tastefully done.
Longman Language Activatorflat and smooth
a place that is flat has no hills or mountains; a surface or object that is flat has no raised or curved parts: · Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles.· a flat, sandy beach· We sat down on a big flat rock.· Focaccia, an Italian flat bread, has become very popular for sandwiches.
a smooth surface feels completely flat and has no rough or raised parts, especially in a way that is pleasant and attractive: · The marble table felt smooth and cold against her arm.· She has lovely smooth skin.
a surface such as a floor or road that is even is completely flat and all its parts are at the same height: · The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles.· After driving for so long on the gravel I was glad to get on an even stretch of road.
not sloping or vertical · In those days the houses all had flat roofs.· We lay flat on our backs and stared up at the sky.
a surface or area that is level does not slope in any direction: · He looked for a strip of level ground where he could land the plane.· These shelves aren't level.
a horizontal line, position, or surface is completely straight, flat, and not sloping, and is parallel with the ground or the bottom of something: · The cliff revealed horizontal layers of rock.horizontal line: · The teacher drew a long, horizontal line across the blackboard.horizontal position: · The wine bottles should be kept in a horizontal position.
something that is on its side has been moved from its usual upright position to a horizontal position: · One of the vehicles in the accident still lay on its side, blocking all four traffic lanes.· Place the chicken on its side in a baking dish and roast for 20 minutes.· A dog was pulling garbage out of a trash can which was lying on its side in the street.
to make something flat to make something flat, especially something that is not usually flat: · The wind and rain had flattened the crops.· Roll the dough into a ball and then flatten it with a rolling pin.
to make a piece of land flat and stop it sloping in any direction: · It is important to level the land before planting.level something off/out: · The site of the explosion has now been levelled out and is going to be made into a memorial garden.
to make something flat by rolling it, pressing it etc: · Roll the pastry flat and cut out two 8-inch circles.· Please squash all aluminum cans flat before placing them in the bin.
to make the surface of something such as paper or cloth completely flat and smooth: · She removed her cap and smoothed her lush black hair.smooth something down/out: · Across the table, Tanya smoothed down her skirt and looked at her watch.· Every morning she smoothes the bedclothes out and dusts the room.
to lay something flat on a surface · Lay the skirt flat on an ironing board and cover it with a damp cloth.· The fish are laid flat on a board and scraped with the back of a knife to remove the scales.· Realizing the man had a back injury, we laid him flat on the ground and waited for the ambulance to arrive.
to carefully put something or someone into a horizontal position: lay something/somebody down: · We carried the injured child over to the bed and laid her down.lay something/somebody down on/in etc: · She folded her scarf and laid it down on the seat next to her.lay down something/somebody: · "That thing weighs a ton,'' said Ian, laying down the marble slab on the floor.
when a road, piece of land etc becomes flat · The road widens and flattens as it nears the sea.· Towards the top of the hill the ground flattens out and the climb should be easier.
to become flat and level, especially after sloping: · Where the path levels out you will find an old cottage.· After climbing steeply through woodland the lane levelled off.
not flat or smooth not flat - use this about roads, walls, areas, land etc where the surface is not smooth because there are a lot of stones or small raised parts: · A rough gravel trail was the only way into town.· rough mountain paths· the rough stone walls of the old castle
a bumpy road, path, or area of land has a lot of holes and raised parts in it: · The field was too bumpy to play football on.· Neal drove the last mile down the bumpy road towards the highway.bumpy ride (=when you are travelling in a vehicle on an uneven surface): · Fasten your seatbelt, this ride may be bumpy.
an uneven surface has areas that are not flat or not all at the same level: · His teeth were yellow and uneven.· The old uneven brick sidewalk was ripped up and replaced.
a bed or chair that is lumpy has lumps under the surface so that it is uncomfortable to sit on or lie on: · Sandra lay on the lumpy mattress, unable to sleep.· I paid $40 a week for a tiny room with a lumpy couch and a battered old desk.
not level something that is sloping is higher at one end than at the other: · an old hotel with lovely sloping lawns· A gently sloping bank led down to the stream.
if the ground or a surface slopes , it is not level but goes gradually upwards or downwards: slope downwards/upwards/away/into etc: · The garden sloped down gradually towards the sea.· Tilt the board so that it is sloping upwards away from you.
with lots of hills or mountains an area of land that is hilly has lots of hills: · the hilly farmlands of New Jersey· The vineyards are hilly and difficult to cultivate.
: rolling hills/fields/farmland etc with a lot of rounded, not very steep hills and valleys, especially when this looks attractive: · The castle is set in rolling hills to the north of Orvieto.· He stood at the top of the hill, admiring the rolling landscape.
an area of land that is mountainous has lots of high mountains: · The mainland of Greece is mountainous and largely infertile.· Fog and rain are common in the mountainous regions near the border.
different types of apartment especially American a set of rooms that are usually all on the same level and are part of a larger building: · They went back to her apartment for a cup of coffee.· There was no point in paying rent for an empty apartment.apartment building (=a building that has several apartments on each level): · Small apartment buildings filled with families line the street.high-rise apartment building (=a tall apartment building with many levels): · High-rise apartment buildings have gone up where once there was open land.
British a set of rooms that are usually all on the same level and are part of a larger building: · Stella and Keith moved into a cold, damp flat together.· a group of students in a shared flatblock of flats (=a building that consists of different levels and has several flats on each level): · Lisa lives on the nineteenth floor of a block of flats in London.
also condo informal American an apartment in a building that consists of several apartments, all of which are owned by the people who live in them: · He lives in a condo in San Jose.· They rent out their condominium to skiers during the winter.
WORD SETSABS, nounacceleration, nounaccelerator, nounairbag, nounambulance, nounantifreeze, nounanti-lock braking system, nounaquaplane, verbarmoured car, nounarticulated, adjectiveauto, nounautomatic, nounautomatic transmission, nounautomobile, nounaxle, nounbackfire, verbback seat, nounbanger, nounbeater, nounbeep, verbbike, nounbiker, nounblind spot, nounblow, verbblowout, nounbody, nounbodywork, nounbonnet, nounbookmobile, nounboot, nounboot, verbbreakdown truck, nounbrights, nounbroadside, verbbulldozer, nounbumper, nounbumper sticker, nounbus, nounbus, verbbus pass, nounbus station, nouncab, nouncab rank, nouncabriolet, nouncabstand, nounCadillac, nouncar, nouncar alarm, nouncarburettor, nouncar park, nouncar pool, nouncarport, nouncarrier, nouncar wash, nounCaterpillar, nouncentral locking, nounchange, verbcharabanc, nounchoke, nounclamp, nounclunker, nouncoach station, nouncoachwork, nouncockpit, nouncompact, nouncompany car, nounconvertible, nouncorner, verbcoupé, nouncourtesy, adjectivecover note, nouncrack-up, nouncrankshaft, nouncrash helmet, nouncruise, verbcruise control, nouncruiser, nouncycle, noundashboard, noundefog, verbdefrost, verbdemist, verbdepot, noundesignated driver, noundiesel, noundiesel fuel, noundifferential gear, noundipstick, noundirt bike, noundirt track, noundisc brakes, noundisengage, verbdismount, verbdistributor, noundouble-decker, noundouble-park, verbdrag race, noundragster, noundrink-driving, noundrive, verbdrive, noundriver, noundriver's education, noundriver's license, noundrive shaft, noundrive-through, noundriving licence, noundriving school, noundriving test, noundrunk driving, noundump truck, noundune buggy, noundust cart, nounemergency brake, nounestate car, nounexcavator, nounexpress, nounfan belt, nounfare, nounfender, nounfender-bender, nounfiller cap, nounfilling station, nounfilter, nounfilter, verbfin, nounfire, verbfire engine, nounfirst gear, nounfishtail, verbflat, adjectiveflat, nounfloorboard, nounfog lamp, nounfour-star, nounfour-wheel drive, nounfreewheel, verbfuel injection, nounfull lock, noungarage, noungarage, verbgarbage truck, noungas-guzzler, noungasohol, noungasoline, noungas pedal, noungas station, noungear, noungearbox, noungear lever, noungear shift, noungear stick, nounglove compartment, noungo-cart, noungo-kart, noungreen light, noungrille, noungritter, nounguardrail, nounhack, nounhackney carriage, nounhandbrake, nounhandlebars, nounhatchback, nounhaulage, nounhazard lights, nounheadlamp, nounheadlight, nounheadroom, nounheap, nounhearse, nounheavy goods vehicle, nounHGV, nounhigh beams, nounhigh-octane, adjectiveHighway Code, nounhijacking, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehitchhike, verbhonk, nounhonk, verbhood, nounhoot, nounhoot, verbhopped-up, adjectivehorsebox, nounhorse trailer, nounhot rod, nounhot-wire, verbhubcap, nounhydroplane, verbignition, nounindicate, verbindicator, nouninner tube, nouninternal combustion engine, nounjack-knife, verbjalopy, nounJeep, nounjuggernaut, nounjump, verbjumper cables, nounjump leads, nounjump-start, verbkickstand, nounkick-start, verbkick-start, nounKlaxon, nounlead-free, adjectivelearner's permit, nounleft-hand drive, adjectivelicense plate, nounlight, nounlimo, nounlimousine, nounlocal, nounlock, verblock, nounlog book, nounlorry, nounlow gear, nounL-plate, nounmagneto, nounmanifold, nounmechanic, nounmeter maid, nounmileage, nounmileometer, nounmilk float, nounminibus, nounminicab, nounminivan, nounmisfire, verbmoped, nounMOT, nounmotocross, nounmotor, nounmotor, adjectivemotor, verbmotorbike, nounmotorcade, nounmotor car, nounmotorcycle, nounmotor home, nounmotoring, nounmotorist, nounmotorized, adjectivemotor pool, nounmotor racing, nounmotor scooter, nounmotor vehicle, nounmoving van, nounmpg, muffler, nounmulti-storey, nounnearside, adjectiveneutral, nounnumber plate, nounoctane, nounodometer, nounomnibus, nounoverdrive, nounovershoot, verbpanel, nounpanel truck, nounpantechnicon, nounpark, verbpark and ride, nounparking, nounparking brake, nounparking garage, nounparking light, nounparking lot, nounparking meter, nounparking ticket, nounpassenger seat, nounpatrol car, nounpatrolman, nounpedal, nounpenalty point, nounpetrol station, nounpick-up, nounpick-up truck, nounpillion, nounpiston ring, nounpit, nounplate, nounplug, nounpneumatic, adjectivepound, nounpower steering, nounprang, verbpremium, nounprovisional licence, nounpush-start, verbrace, verbrace car, nounracing car, nounradar trap, nounradial tyre, nounradiator, nounrank, nounrearview mirror, nounrefuel, verbreg., registration, nounregistration number, nounregular, nounremould, nounremoval van, nounrespray, verbrestraint, nounretread, nounrev, verbreverse, verbreverse, nounreverse gear, nounreversing light, nounride, nounrig, nounright-hand drive, adjectiveroad hog, nounroad rage, nounroad test, nounroadworthy, adjectiveRolls-Royce, nounroof-rack, nounrun, verbrun, nounrunabout, nounRV, nounsaloon, nounsalt truck, nounscooter, nounseat belt, nounsedan, nounself-drive, adjectiveshaft, nounshift, verbshock absorber, nounsidecar, nounsidelight, nounsideswipe, verbsilencer, nounsill, nounslick, nounslipstream, nounsnarl, verbsnarl-up, nounsnow chains, nounsnowmobile, nounsnow plough, nounsnow tire, nounsouped-up, adjectivespare, nounspare tyre, nounsparking plug, nounspark plug, nounspeedometer, nounspeed trap, nounspeedway, nounsplash guard, nounspoiler, nounsports car, nounstall, nounstart, verbstarter, nounstarter motor, nounstation wagon, nounsteamroller, nounsteering, nounstick, nounstick shift, nounstretch limo, nounsump, nounsunroof, nounsupercharged, adjectivesuspension, nountachograph, nountachometer, nountailback, nountailboard, nountailgate, nountailgate, verbtail light, nountailpipe, nountax disc, nountaxi, nountaxicab, nounteamster, nountest certificate, nountest drive, nounthree-point turn, nounthree-wheeler, nounthrottle, nounthrust, nounticket, nountie-up, nountotal, verbtowbar, nountowline, nountowtruck, nountractor, nountraffic jam, nountransmission, nountransporter, nountread, nountrolley, nountrolleybus, nountrucker, nountrucking, nountrunk, nountune, verbtune-up, nounturbocharger, nounturning circle, nounturn signal, nountwo-stroke, adjectiveunleaded, adjectivevalet, nounvalet, verbvan, nounvanity plate, nounveteran car, nounvintage car, nounvisor, nounwheelbase, nounwheel clamp, nounwhiplash, nounwhitewall, nounwindscreen, nounwindscreen wiper, nounwindshield wiper, nounwing, nounwing mirror, nounwiper, nounwreck, nounwrecker, nounwrite-off, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + flat Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. her low-heeled blue shoes Lay the material flat on the table.
· The flat was too small for the three of them.
· It was a big flat with eight or nine rooms.
(=too small and not comfortable)· She spends most days shut up in a poky flat looking after her disabled Mum.
· She lived in a one-bedroom flat in Clapham.
· Their home is a humble two-room flat.
· We’re moving into a first-floor flat.
(=a flat that is below ground level)· They lived in a basement flat in South London.
(=with one main room)· I might just be able to afford a tiny studio flat.
(=flats in a very tall building)· Many high-rise flats were built in the 1970s.
· He returned to his rented flat in Cheltenham.
· Laura shares a luxury flat with her sister Chloe.
(=a flat with its own kitchen and bathroom)· We rented a self-contained flat in the city centre.
(=a rented flat that does or does not have furniture)· She found a job and a furnished flat.
· The building has been converted into three holiday flats.
phrases (=a large building divided into separate flats)· At the time, I lived in a block of flats in St John’s Wood.
verbs· Terry lived in a flat on the second floor.
· I had planned to buy a flat with Geraldine.
· Renting a flat can be very expensive in this part of town.
· They move into their new flat next week.
· The couple own their own flat in Peebles.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. British English, dead American English (=with no more electricity in it)· I'd left the headlights on and the battery was completely flat.
British English· Three new blocks of flats were built on the land.
(=completely broke)
(also a cloth cap) British English (=made of cloth with a stiff piece that sticks out at the front)· We saw an old man in a jacket and a brown flat cap.
· The countryside around here is dead flat all the way to the sea.
(=a fee that is the same in every case)· You pay a flat fee for all the services that are provided.
(=having a medical condition in which someone’s feet rest flat on the ground, with no curved part)· We’ve both got slightly flat feet.
her low-heeled blue shoes (=people don’t find a joke funny)· His practical jokes usually fell flat.
Lay the material flat on the table. (=someone you share a house, room etc with)
· Here a group of small hills rises unexpectedly out of the flat plain.
(=one that does not change)· Profits were taxed at a flat rate of 45 percent.
(=definite and direct)· She had not anticipated a flat refusal.
· She used to sunbathe on the flat roof.
(=with no high heel)· Flat shoes are much more comfortable for walking in.
· Put the compass on a flat surface.
(=a tax that is the same for different people or things)· Corporate taxes are to be abolished and replaced by a flat rate tax.
· a buyer’s guide to the latest flat screen televisions
(=one which the air has come out of)· I had a flat tyre and had to walk home.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Rita in her small flat is typical.· Jacqueline lives simply in a small Antwerp flat.· Mrs Smith is a widow living in a small council flat in Bermondsey.· Alek had a small lovely flat and listened to Tchaikovsky on the phonograph.· Couple 2 - A married young couple who are decorating a small flat.· He had a small flat in a converted terrace house.· And so they moved, with no master plan in mind, first to their small flat in Brussels.· Constanza took a small flat of her own.
NOUN· Keith leaves his basement flat in plenty of time.· They lived in a basement flat in South London then, he, his wife, and the two little girls.· He stood almost on the same spot as before, and watched the lighted windows of a basement flat across the way.· In an urban environment, basement flats are not advisable for the single dweller.· The police report that over 40 percent of burglaries of urban dwellings are break-ins to basement flats.· They arrive at the empty basement flat just after one.· Miss Tan could not be charged with running a brothel because she worked alone in her basement flat.· She has the basement flat and it's always got this sour damp smell even though she burns joss sticks all day long.
· Sea-birds, like snowflakes, turned lazily far out over the mud flats ....· It is one of merged meadowlands ending in the great saltings and mud flats and tidal pools near the restless sea.· In some areas, such as a Donna Nook and Theddlethorpe, the sand and mud flats are incredibly vast.· It is, in fact a large, dusty mud flat.· Wading birds collect great quantities of small molluscs from sandbanks and mud flats when the tide retreats.· Cardiff was, of course, built on mud flats, and nature takes a long time to change.· If the mud flats freeze over, it is impossible for them to find sufficient food.· At Grangemouth docks were dug out of the mud flats.
· Finally his double-barrelled family had stepped in and bought the prodigal a mega-mineral cure and a penthouse flat.· Hence their privileged presence in his penthouse flat.
VERB· They're going to start building lots of new flats.· They are being replaced by cheaply built one-bedroom flats.
· A friend and his wife are having a struggle to buy a flat because so few properties come on the market.· Anybody who is rich can buy a number of flats without government controls; but young couples without savings can afford nothing.· About two months before, I sold almost all my shares in order to buy the flat.· With the legacy she left me when she died I bought the little flat on Fernhill.· Dave Escott bought his flat, leasehold, 5 years ago.· Read in studio A couple who bought a flat which didn't officially exist are still fighting for compensation four years later.· He suffocated her after she accused him of being too mean to buy a £730,000 flat in London's wealthy Belgravia district.· Another way for an investor to limit voids is to buy more than one flat or house.
· I lived with Kay in a huge house in London that had been meanly converted into ten flats.· After being converted into flats, the family found 100 building defects costing around 80,000 to put right.· It consisted of two large blocks of buildings which have now been converted into flats.
· Keith leaves his basement flat in plenty of time.· He says he left your flat soon after taking you back from dinner.· Crook in particular was anxious to leave the ground floor flat because his windows had been smashed and he had been attacked.· I left the flat for university.· Steer clear of heavy, creamy products which leave hair flat and lifeless.· Her first thought was that she would have to leave the flat.· Tatyana Vysokogorets-Dostoevskaya, 63, never leaves her second-floor flat.
· Billing people can be difficult, especially if they live in flats.· They lived in a basement flat in South London then, he, his wife, and the two little girls.· We used to live in this poky flat in the middle of London when I was very little.· For the last year we have lived together in my flat.· Why should I have to live in a one-bedroom flat when others have spacious houses?· That was how I came to live in the flats at Annick Water.· When living in his Stirling flat he contrived to flood the downstairs neighbours - three times!· Mr A is 75 and he and his wife live in an upstairs flat.
· Weeks later, he had finally moved into an independent flat.· She wanted to avoid Oliver, although she was desperate to know that he had moved out of the flat.· And they have vowed to refuse to move back into the flats on Conwy Morfa until their demands are met.· Andrew will shortly be moving into a new flat in Dumbarton.· Last month, in the process of moving flat, my telephone disappeared.· The big news, though, was that Richard and Hudson had moved into their new flat.· That happened to Catherine Lane when she moved out of a London flat.· We wanted very much to ask Eliot round before departure, especially as we had now moved to a bigger flat.
· Eliot was a lonely man, and Hayward was the only single person he knew with whom he could share a flat.· Soon they were enjoying evenings out together and ended up sharing a flat.· Whatever the nature of their relationship, it was clear that husband and wife had shared the same flat.· Her new secretary was arriving and was going to share her flat for a while.· The two girls who shared the upstairs flat were models, and often travelled abroad on assignments.· They first met when she moved to London to share the flat which her father had bought for her.
· They couldn't after all, have stayed in the flat.· What if he had to sit out in the groves or stay flat on his back until she returned?· She knew she would feel slightly better about the situation if he were forcing her to stay at his flat in London.· Oil prices in nominal dollar terms are expected to stay flat, at best, between now and the year 2000.· One night, after an extramural film excursion, Carl stays behind in her flat.· I won't be staying in your flat.· She didn't ask me if I was staying in the flat at Annick Water.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► flats► the flat of somebody’s hand/a knife/a sword etcPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► flat-footed/four-footed► job-hunting/house-hunting/flat-hunting► house/flat with vacant possession
- A standby compass is mounted on the flat windscreens' central pillar.
- He rubbed his eyes and gazed out on the flat green countryside below.
- Miles per gallon Then, on a long haul, it wouldn't go up hill or overtake on the flat.
- Several of these graptolites are preserved on the flat bedding surfaces of a black shale.
- Skipper worked nicely on the flat, so John built us a six inch cross pole to trot over.
- The moon was shining brightly on the great stones, and between them, on the flat ground, lay the girl.
- Through the strips of waving screen he could see sunset in the palmettos, sunset on the flat sand.
- We follow a number of faint tracks that disappear on the flat and run into barriers of scrub brush and trees.
- the mud flats near the beach
- He's been flat on his back in the hospital for a week.
- After I was on its back, we all took off again on a run.
- Her eyes opened; she was on her back.
- His father was on his back night and day.
- The child was on her back, unconscious.
- The jelly cupboard was on its back, its contents lying in a heap in the corner of the bottom shelf.
- The result is that the liter pop bottle you tossed out six months ago may be on your back today.
- The sun was on his back as he swung himself over her and her long legs parted in expectation.
- What else would he need if he were going to be flat on his back or stomach?
- At first, Gorbachev's political ideas fell flat.
- Koppel's clumsy joke fell flat.
- Your joke about the nuns really fell flat, didn't it?
- But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.
- He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.
- However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.
- I knew it would fall flat; but it wasn't the bad script which made the film unsuccessful.
- Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.
- The recent recession caught managers flat-footed and unprepared.
- In the wall both houses shared there was a little chink.
- Many brokerage house shares were also lower.
- The facility also houses shared and dedicated web hosting servers.
- After decent dousing on Splash Mountain, need to go into spin cycle to dry off.
- At four hundred feet he hadn't enough altitude from which he could recover if he went into a spin.
- But Yoyo, just frozen in a spin, happens to look up and see him.
- EuroDisney, ahead of Thursday's figures, was in a spin.
- Incidentally, if an aircraft is very difficult to get into a spin, it also may be very difficult to recover.
- The tundras will drag you into a spin.
WORD FAMILYnounflatflatnessadverbflatflatlyadjectiveflatverbflatten
1place to live especially British English a place for people to live that consists of a set of rooms that are part of a larger building SYN apartment: They have a flat in Crouch End. a two-bedroom flat The building was knocked down to make way for a block of flats (=a large building with many flats in it). → granny flat2tyre especially American English a tyre that does not have enough air inside SYN flat tyre: Damn, the car has a flat. He stopped to change a flat.3music a)a musical note that is one semitone lower than a particular note b)the sign (Ƅ) in written music that shows that a note is one semitone lower than a particular note4land flats [plural] an area of land that is at a low level, especially near water: mud flats5shoes flats [plural] a pair of women’s shoes with very low heels6the flat of somebody’s hand/a knife/a sword etc the flat part or flat side of something7on the flat British English on ground that is level and does not slopeCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + flatsmall· The flat was too small for the three of them.big/spacious· It was a big flat with eight or nine rooms.cramped/poky (=too small and not comfortable)· She spends most days shut up in a poky flat looking after her disabled Mum.a one-bedroom/two-bedroom etc flat· She lived in a one-bedroom flat in Clapham.a one-room/two-room etc flat· Their home is a humble two-room flat.a ground-floor/first-floor/second-floor etc flat· We’re moving into a first-floor flat.a basement flat (=a flat that is below ground level)· They lived in a basement flat in South London.a studio flat (=with one main room)· I might just be able to afford a tiny studio flat.high-rise flats (=flats in a very tall building)· Many high-rise flats were built in the 1970s.a rented flat· He returned to his rented flat in Cheltenham.a luxury flat· Laura shares a luxury flat with her sister Chloe.a self-contained flat (=a flat with its own kitchen and bathroom)· We rented a self-contained flat in the city centre.a furnished/unfurnished flat (=a rented flat that does or does not have furniture)· She found a job and a furnished flat.a holiday flat· The building has been converted into three holiday flats.phrasesa block of flats (=a large building divided into separate flats)· At the time, I lived in a block of flats in St John’s Wood.verbslive in a flat· Terry lived in a flat on the second floor.buy a flat· I had planned to buy a flat with Geraldine.rent a flat· Renting a flat can be very expensive in this part of town.move into a flat· They move into their new flat next week.own a flat· The couple own their own flat in Peebles.flat1 adjectiveflat2 nounflat3 adverb
flatflat3 ●●○ adverb EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Attaching a deep heading tape Lay the curtains out flat with lining sides uppermost.
- Deliberately he settled flat, inviting the pain to do its worst; quietly enjoying conquering it and himself.
- If you removed the future earnings, Baker told jurors, O. J. Simpson is flat broke.
- Stretched out flat, her feet pointing to the bow, she closed her eyes.
- They rest with their wings flat, but with the front wings covering their rear ones.
- You know how all the tires were flat out at the lake that night?
Longman Language Activatorflat and smooth
a place that is flat has no hills or mountains; a surface or object that is flat has no raised or curved parts: · Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles.· a flat, sandy beach· We sat down on a big flat rock.· Focaccia, an Italian flat bread, has become very popular for sandwiches.
a smooth surface feels completely flat and has no rough or raised parts, especially in a way that is pleasant and attractive: · The marble table felt smooth and cold against her arm.· She has lovely smooth skin.
a surface such as a floor or road that is even is completely flat and all its parts are at the same height: · The floor must be completely even before we lay the tiles.· After driving for so long on the gravel I was glad to get on an even stretch of road.
not sloping or vertical · In those days the houses all had flat roofs.· We lay flat on our backs and stared up at the sky.
a surface or area that is level does not slope in any direction: · He looked for a strip of level ground where he could land the plane.· These shelves aren't level.
a horizontal line, position, or surface is completely straight, flat, and not sloping, and is parallel with the ground or the bottom of something: · The cliff revealed horizontal layers of rock.horizontal line: · The teacher drew a long, horizontal line across the blackboard.horizontal position: · The wine bottles should be kept in a horizontal position.
something that is on its side has been moved from its usual upright position to a horizontal position: · One of the vehicles in the accident still lay on its side, blocking all four traffic lanes.· Place the chicken on its side in a baking dish and roast for 20 minutes.· A dog was pulling garbage out of a trash can which was lying on its side in the street.
to make something flat to make something flat, especially something that is not usually flat: · The wind and rain had flattened the crops.· Roll the dough into a ball and then flatten it with a rolling pin.
to make a piece of land flat and stop it sloping in any direction: · It is important to level the land before planting.level something off/out: · The site of the explosion has now been levelled out and is going to be made into a memorial garden.
to make something flat by rolling it, pressing it etc: · Roll the pastry flat and cut out two 8-inch circles.· Please squash all aluminum cans flat before placing them in the bin.
to make the surface of something such as paper or cloth completely flat and smooth: · She removed her cap and smoothed her lush black hair.smooth something down/out: · Across the table, Tanya smoothed down her skirt and looked at her watch.· Every morning she smoothes the bedclothes out and dusts the room.
to lay something flat on a surface · Lay the skirt flat on an ironing board and cover it with a damp cloth.· The fish are laid flat on a board and scraped with the back of a knife to remove the scales.· Realizing the man had a back injury, we laid him flat on the ground and waited for the ambulance to arrive.
to carefully put something or someone into a horizontal position: lay something/somebody down: · We carried the injured child over to the bed and laid her down.lay something/somebody down on/in etc: · She folded her scarf and laid it down on the seat next to her.lay down something/somebody: · "That thing weighs a ton,'' said Ian, laying down the marble slab on the floor.
when a road, piece of land etc becomes flat · The road widens and flattens as it nears the sea.· Towards the top of the hill the ground flattens out and the climb should be easier.
to become flat and level, especially after sloping: · Where the path levels out you will find an old cottage.· After climbing steeply through woodland the lane levelled off.
not flat or smooth not flat - use this about roads, walls, areas, land etc where the surface is not smooth because there are a lot of stones or small raised parts: · A rough gravel trail was the only way into town.· rough mountain paths· the rough stone walls of the old castle
a bumpy road, path, or area of land has a lot of holes and raised parts in it: · The field was too bumpy to play football on.· Neal drove the last mile down the bumpy road towards the highway.bumpy ride (=when you are travelling in a vehicle on an uneven surface): · Fasten your seatbelt, this ride may be bumpy.
an uneven surface has areas that are not flat or not all at the same level: · His teeth were yellow and uneven.· The old uneven brick sidewalk was ripped up and replaced.
a bed or chair that is lumpy has lumps under the surface so that it is uncomfortable to sit on or lie on: · Sandra lay on the lumpy mattress, unable to sleep.· I paid $40 a week for a tiny room with a lumpy couch and a battered old desk.
not level something that is sloping is higher at one end than at the other: · an old hotel with lovely sloping lawns· A gently sloping bank led down to the stream.
if the ground or a surface slopes , it is not level but goes gradually upwards or downwards: slope downwards/upwards/away/into etc: · The garden sloped down gradually towards the sea.· Tilt the board so that it is sloping upwards away from you.
with lots of hills or mountains an area of land that is hilly has lots of hills: · the hilly farmlands of New Jersey· The vineyards are hilly and difficult to cultivate.
: rolling hills/fields/farmland etc with a lot of rounded, not very steep hills and valleys, especially when this looks attractive: · The castle is set in rolling hills to the north of Orvieto.· He stood at the top of the hill, admiring the rolling landscape.
an area of land that is mountainous has lots of high mountains: · The mainland of Greece is mountainous and largely infertile.· Fog and rain are common in the mountainous regions near the border.
when someone accidentally falls from a standing position to accidentally fall from a standing position: · She was going up the stairs when she fell.· George held on tightly, afraid that he might fall.fall down the stairs/steps etc: · There was concern for the Queen Mother yesterday after she fell down a short flight of steps at the airport.
to fall onto the ground from a standing position: · Ben fell down and scraped his knee.· Beginning skiers can expect to fall down a lot.· The pavement was slippery and it was easy to fall over.
British if someone, especially an old person, has a fall , they fall and hurt themselves: · My neighbour has had a fall and broken a rib.· Grandma had a bad fall in the snow that winter.
to fall quickly down a slope or down stairs, rolling over and over and unable to stop: tumble down/off/into etc: · She tumbled down the stairs and landed in a heap at the bottom.· A bus veered off the road and tumbled down the hill into the river below.
to fall over suddenly so that you are lying on your front on the ground, especially in a way that makes you look funny: · She fell flat on her face getting out of the car.· The last time I wore high-heeled shoes I fell flat on my face outside a restaurant.
to fall suddenly and heavily onto the ground, into a chair etc, because of tiredness, illness, or injury: · One of the horses collapsed from exhaustion after the race.collapse on: · Cohen was hospitalized after he collapsed on the floor and briefly lost consciousness.collapse into: · Milligan collapsed into a chair, sighing deeply.
to suddenly fall to the ground, because you are ill or have had a shock: · She'd been complaining of a headache all morning, and suddenly she just keeled over.· Carson keeled over and died in front of the nightclub after taking a number of illegal drugs.
to fall forward with so much force that you roll over: · She slipped on the polished floor and went head over heels.· Shelly's horse stepped into soft sand and went down, horse and rider going head over heels in a cloud of dust.
moving or travelling fast · Don't drive so fast - there's ice on the road.· The new fighter aircraft flies almost twice as fast as the old one.· She walked faster and faster, then started to run.as fast as you can · He ran home as fast as he could.
spoken use this to tell someone to come or go somewhere quickly: · Come quick, your brother's on TV.· You'll have to walk quicker than that if you want to keep up with me.
written moving fast with a continuous, flowing movement - used especially in literature: · The horses ran along the track at a swift trot.· We had to steer our ship through the swift currents of the Bering Straits.
moving or working very fast - use this about cars, trains, machines etc: · Two cars raced past him at high speed.· a metal disk revolving at high speed
if a vehicle moves at top speed , it moves as fast as it can go - use this especially when a situation is urgent and someone has to get somewhere very fast: · They headed east at top speed in pursuit of the enemy ship.· At top speed, the Pave Hawk helicopter can travel 221 miles per hour.
travelling dangerously fast: · It took us an hour to get there, driving at breakneck speed.· Jenny stepped onto her skis and sped off at breakneck speed down the glistening, white mountain.
at the fastest speed possible when using all the strength or power there is: · Going flat out, the BMW 325 will reach a speed of 140 miles per hour.· The exercise involved running flat out for two minutes and then resting for one minute.
moving extremely fast, often with a single sudden movement: · Somewhere a dog barked and, like lightning, the cat darted into some bushes.· Her foot slipped on the smooth tiles but Mitch moved like lightning and caught her before she fell.
formal if a car or train is travelling at speed , it is travelling fast: · The train was already travelling at speed when she tried to open the carriage door.
WORD SETSa cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He lay flat on the floor. That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. She asked him flat out if he was seeing another woman.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. her low-heeled blue shoes Lay the material flat on the table.
He lay flat on the floor. That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling. She asked him flat out if he was seeing another woman. Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor. British English, dead American English (=with no more electricity in it)· I'd left the headlights on and the battery was completely flat.
British English· Three new blocks of flats were built on the land.
(=completely broke)
(also a cloth cap) British English (=made of cloth with a stiff piece that sticks out at the front)· We saw an old man in a jacket and a brown flat cap.
· The countryside around here is dead flat all the way to the sea.
(=a fee that is the same in every case)· You pay a flat fee for all the services that are provided.
(=having a medical condition in which someone’s feet rest flat on the ground, with no curved part)· We’ve both got slightly flat feet.
her low-heeled blue shoes (=people don’t find a joke funny)· His practical jokes usually fell flat.
Lay the material flat on the table. (=someone you share a house, room etc with)
· Here a group of small hills rises unexpectedly out of the flat plain.
(=one that does not change)· Profits were taxed at a flat rate of 45 percent.
(=definite and direct)· She had not anticipated a flat refusal.
· She used to sunbathe on the flat roof.
(=with no high heel)· Flat shoes are much more comfortable for walking in.
· Put the compass on a flat surface.
(=a tax that is the same for different people or things)· Corporate taxes are to be abolished and replaced by a flat rate tax.
· a buyer’s guide to the latest flat screen televisions
(=one which the air has come out of)· I had a flat tyre and had to walk home.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· Because the knot lies flat it is often used in bandaging.· Stephen lay flat, gazing out at the patterns of sunlight, his chin resting on the backs of his hands.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► tell somebody flat► three minutes/ten seconds etc flatPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► flat-footed/four-footed► job-hunting/house-hunting/flat-hunting► house/flat with vacant possession
- Going flat out, the BMW 325 will reach a speed of 140 miles per hour.
- O'Leary flat out loves teaching.
- The exercise involved running flat out for two minutes and then resting for one minute.
- They were working flat out to get the job done on time.
- But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.
- He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.
- However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.
- Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.
- She fell flat on her face getting out of the car.
- The last time I wore high-heeled shoes I fell flat on my face outside a restaurant.
- As we were going out to the car Babe slipped and fell flat on her face.
- At last, after several near misses, I fall flat on my face.
- Because if you don't a fresh ambition or optimistic plan will fall flat on its face.
- But once the ball tips, the game falls flat on its face faster than a top-ranked team after a first-round upset.
- It is also a nation waiting for her to fall flat on her face.
- Writers strive for a universal experience distilled from personal memories and tend to fall flat on their faces.
- Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.
- He's been flat on his back in the hospital for a week.
- After I was on its back, we all took off again on a run.
- Her eyes opened; she was on her back.
- His father was on his back night and day.
- The child was on her back, unconscious.
- The jelly cupboard was on its back, its contents lying in a heap in the corner of the bottom shelf.
- The result is that the liter pop bottle you tossed out six months ago may be on your back today.
- The sun was on his back as he swung himself over her and her long legs parted in expectation.
- What else would he need if he were going to be flat on his back or stomach?
- At first, Gorbachev's political ideas fell flat.
- Koppel's clumsy joke fell flat.
- Your joke about the nuns really fell flat, didn't it?
- But the hopes fell flat, and private funding for vaccine work is drying up.
- He has been Navajo president for one year, and his efforts to decentralize tribal government so far have fallen flat.
- However, if your suggestion falls flat, he may not be ready to try another until the 21st century.
- I knew it would fall flat; but it wasn't the bad script which made the film unsuccessful.
- Yet there are certain composers who fall flat on their face unless the adrenalin really start to flow.
- The recent recession caught managers flat-footed and unprepared.
- In the wall both houses shared there was a little chink.
- Many brokerage house shares were also lower.
- The facility also houses shared and dedicated web hosting servers.
- After decent dousing on Splash Mountain, need to go into spin cycle to dry off.
- At four hundred feet he hadn't enough altitude from which he could recover if he went into a spin.
- But Yoyo, just frozen in a spin, happens to look up and see him.
- EuroDisney, ahead of Thursday's figures, was in a spin.
- Incidentally, if an aircraft is very difficult to get into a spin, it also may be very difficult to recover.
- The tundras will drag you into a spin.
WORD FAMILYnounflatflatnessadverbflatflatlyadjectiveflatverbflatten
1flat position in a position in which the surface of something is against another surface without curving or sloping: The bed can be folded flat for storage. He lay flat on the floor. That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling.2three minutes/ten seconds etc flat informal in exactly three minutes, ten seconds etc – used to emphasize that something happens or is done very quickly: I was dressed in five minutes flat.3fall flat informal if a joke, story etc falls flat, it does not achieve the effect that is intended: Unfortunately, what could have been a powerful drama fell flat.4music if you sing or play music flat, you sing or play slightly lower than the correct note so that the sound is unpleasant OPP sharp5fall flat on your/something's face a)to fall so that you are lying on your chest on the ground: Babe slipped and fell flat on her face. b)informal to not have the result you want or expect, especially when this is embarrassing: The theory falls flat on its face when put into practice.6flat out informal a)as fast as possible: Everyone’s working flat out to finish on time. b)American English in a direct and complete way SYN straight outask/tell somebody flat out She asked him flat out if he was seeing another woman.7tell somebody flat British English spoken to tell someone something directly and definitely SYN straight out: I told him flat that I didn’t want to see him again. → flat broke at broke2(1)