flat out

[flat-out] / ˈflætˈaʊt /

ADVERB

at top speed

Synonyms

WEAK

all out at full speed at full throttle bluntly directly full-bore openly peak performance wide open

flat-out

ADVERB

at top speed

Synonyms

WEAK

all the way all-out at a good clip for all one's worth full blast head over heels in full gallop lickety-split the whole nine yards to the max unrestrainedly wide open without reservation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tim Mitchell, of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said while staff were working flat out, their efforts were being undermined by long-standing under-investment in buildings and equipment.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Another person with a nut allergy wrote in an online review that they were "flat out refused service" despite accepting the risk and that the restaurants rule on allergies is "not an acceptable one".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Jacobson says they have computers now working flat out generating brackets for this year’s competition.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

One academic asked me flat out, if I loved Iran so much, why was I badmouthing it?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

“I dunno, Harry, it sounded like Snape was feelin’ a bit overworked, tha’s all — anyway, Dumbledore told him flat out he’d agreed ter do it an’ that was all there was to it.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

flat out

Example Sentences

Related Words