flat-out

[ flat-out ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. moving or working at top speed or with maximum effort; all-out:

   a flat-out effort by all contestants.

2. downright; thoroughgoing:

   Many of the paintings were flat-out forgeries.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flat-out¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The president came to believe Shamir misled him on the settlement issue, or flat-out lied to him.

From The Daily Beast

His post-mortem that there is no red or blue America was tired and flat-out wrong.

From The Daily Beast

Let me say, flat out, that Harold Conrad was the single most happening, been-everywhere/done-everything cat I ever met.

From The Daily Beast

Old Don said flat-out that he took the girl for both him and his son.

From The Daily Beast

More vexing than the short-shrift mentions are the flat-out omissions.

From The Daily Beast

It was all like putting a man in a racing car traveling flat out on the Salts in Bonneville, Utah.

From Project Gutenberg

It was no use, however, it is next to impossible to throw a man when he is lying flat out as the Brahmin now was.

From Project Gutenberg

And now lay down that purse,” he continued briefly, “before I shoot the flat out of your eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Pigeons were cooing near, and several dogs were lying flat out in the shade which the wide eaves of the house afforded.

From Project Gutenberg

He has the term to finish, and certainly you would not have him flat out on his job when the end is in sight.

From Project Gutenberg