flat (redirected from fallen flat on face)

be as flat as a pancake

to be very flat. My cake hasn't risen - it's as flat as a pancake!

be flat broke (informal)

to have no money at all. I can't even pay the rent this month. I'm flat broke.

See also: broke

fall flat

1. if an entertainment or a joke falls flat, people do not enjoy it and do not think it is funny. Several attempts at humour during his speech fell flat.

2. if an attempt to influence people's behaviour or opinions falls flat, it fails. The advertising campaign which had worked so well in the US fell flat in China. The statement that pregnancy is not an illness falls flat with many morning sickness sufferers.

See also: fall

fall flat on your/its face

to fail or make a mistake in an embarrassing way. The new scheme fell flat on its face in spite of all the financial support that was given. It's always amusing to see a newscaster fall flat on his face.

See also: face, fall

flat out

1. if a person or a machine is doing something flat out, they are doing it as fast and with as much energy as they can. The decorators have been working flat out to get the job finished. (often + to do something) My car only does 60 mph, even when it's going flat out.

2. if someone says something flat out, they say it in a very clear and direct way, even if it might upset people. He called up and flat out asked if I was having an affair with Bob.

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fall flat (on your face)

to fail completely. Most of her jokes fell flat and her act was a disaster. It used to be an amazing magazine, but it's fallen flat on its face.

See also: fall

flat out

1. as fast as possible. The painters have been working flat out to get the job finished. She drives as though her car has only two speeds – flat out and stopped.

2. clearly and without confusion. The coach told me flat out, “You're too small.” I don't want to flat out say I never did it when maybe I just don't remember having done it.