flat broke

Idioms and Phrases

Also, stone or stony broke . Completely penniless. For example, I can't help you—I'm flat broke , or He's stone broke again . The first term dates from the mid-1800s and uses flat in the sense of “completely” or “downright.” The variant dates from the late 1800s.

Example Sentences

Within six months he was flat broke and on the verge of being disbarred.

From The Daily Beast

Hungerford used to pay him, but now that he is flat Broke and can't help no more, he won't give him a cent.

From Project Gutenberg

He was broke, flat broke, about the time I was elected and suddenly he had all the money he required.

From Project Gutenberg

Yer flat broke, an' need coin, an' I'm takin' at yer own word—thet ye don't care overly much how ye git it.

From Project Gutenberg

I let him know you needed work, but I didn't tip my hand you was flat broke.

From Project Gutenberg

I'd take it to New York myself, but you see, I am flat broke.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bankrupt
• exhausted
• impoverished
• indigent
• insolvent
• needy
• penniless
• poor
• poverty-stricken
• strapped