flat
flat — 動詞
1. to press, hit, or push something so that it becomes level and smooth against a s
弄平；壓平
按壓或敲打使某物變平整
to press, hit, or push something so that it becomes level and smooth against a surface, losing any raised or uneven parts
Maeve flatted the cardboard box before putting it into the recycling bin.
Maeve 把紙箱壓平，放進回收桶裡。
object: cardboard box for disposal
The baker flatted the ball of dough with a wooden rolling pin.
烘焙師傅用木製擀麵棍將那團麵糰壓平。
Rafael flatted the crumpled letter against his desk to read the address.
Rafael 把皺巴巴的信紙在桌上攤平，好讀出上面的地址。
A heavy rainstorm flatted the young plants in the farmer's field.
一場大暴雨把農夫田裡的小苗都打平了。
Naoko flatted the metal sheet by striking it with a heavy hammer.
Naoko 用沉重的鐵鎚敲打金屬板，把它打平。
- flatten
The everyday equivalent; more natural in casual conversation
- level
Suggests making something horizontal or even, not just pressing down
- smooth out
Focuses on removing wrinkles or bumps, often for paper or fabric
- press down
Implies using weight or hand pressure, not a tool
- crumple
To crush into creases or folds
- crumple up
To press into a ball or irregular shape
- ruffle
To disturb a smooth surface
文法句型
flat + object + to/on/against + surface
用法筆記
The verb 'flat' is less common than 'flatten' in everyday speech. Past tense and past participle are 'flatted'.
常見錯誤
2. in music, to produce a note at a pitch below the intended one, usually by a semi
降半音
將音符唱或奏得比標準音高低半音
in music, to produce a note at a pitch below the intended one, usually by a semitone, whether accidentally or as a deliberate change
The singer accidentally flatted the high note during her performance.
那位歌手在演出時不小心把高音唱低了半音。
unintentional: flatting a note by mistake
In bar three, the conductor asked the violins to flat the G by a semitone.
在第三小節，指揮要求小提琴手把 G 降一個半音。
instruction: flat + note + by + interval
Andrei flatted every B in the piece because the key signature required it.
Andrei 整首曲子都把每個 B 降了半音，因為調號要求這麼做。
The student kept flatting the last note because the song was too high.
那位學生老是把最後一個音符唱低，因為那首歌音太高了。
Stephanie flatted the seventh chord to give the song a warmer jazz feel.
Stephanie 把七和弦降了半音，讓這首歌聽起來更有溫暖的爵士味。
文法句型
flat + musical note
flat + note + by + interval
用法筆記
Used mainly in music instruction and performance commentary. The opposite action in music is 'sharp' (to raise by a semitone).
常見錯誤
flat — 名詞
1. a home inside a building where other people also live, with its own rooms such a
公寓；單元房
大樓中的居住單元，通常在同一樓層
a home inside a building where other people also live, with its own rooms such as a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom, usually all on the same floor
Iris and her brother share a flat near the university.
Iris 和她的弟弟合租一間靠近大學的公寓。
collocation: share a flat
The flat has a small kitchen and a big living room.
這間公寓有一個小廚房和一間大客廳。
Gabriel's flat is on the top floor of a tall building.
Gabriel 的公寓在一棟高樓的頂層。
Hoa and her friend went to see a flat near the city centre.
Hoa 和她的朋友去市中心附近看了一間公寓。
There is a big window in the main room of the flat.
這間公寓的主要房間裡有一扇大窗戶。
- apartment
more common in American English; 'flat' is more British
- condominium
a flat you own rather than rent
- house
a home that stands alone and is not part of a larger building
2. an area of land that is low and level, especially one that lies near a body of w
低地
靠近水邊的平坦低窪地
an area of land that is low and level, especially one that lies near a body of water such as a river or the sea
The river flooded the low flats along the coast after the heavy rain.
大雨過後，河水淹沒了沿海的低地。
collocation: low flats / mud flats / salt flats
Birds gather on the mud flats when the tide goes out.
退潮時，鳥群聚集在泥灘上。
collocation: mud flats
Salt flats stretch for miles across the dry desert.
鹽灘在乾燥的沙漠中綿延數英里。
Farmers let their animals eat grass on the flats near the stream.
農夫讓牲畜在小溪附近的平地上吃草。
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'flats' when referring to large geographic areas of low-lying land.
3. the inside of a hand with the fingers stretched out straight and held together,
手掌
伸直手指後的手掌內側面
the inside of a hand with the fingers stretched out straight and held together, often used in the phrase 'the flat of the hand'
Henrik hit the table with the flat of his hand.
Henrik 用手掌拍了一下桌子。
pattern: the flat of [possessive] hand
The teacher asked the children to show the flats of their hands.
老師要孩子們張開手掌給大家看。
plural: flats of their hands
Jessica pressed the flat of her hand against the cold window.
Jessica 將手掌貼在冰冷的窗戶上。
Brooke held her hand out with the palm and fingers flat and straight.
Brooke 把手伸出來，手掌和手指都平直地張開。
- palm
the inner part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, but not specifically with fingers stretched out
用法筆記
Typically used in the fixed expression 'the flat of the hand' to mean the palm with fingers extended. Less commonly used in the plural 'flats of the hands.'
4. a surface or stretch of ground that is level and without slopes, hills, or raise
平地
沒有坡度或山丘的水平地面
a surface or stretch of ground that is level and without slopes, hills, or raised sections
The horse ran fastest when it reached the flat.
那匹馬一到平地就跑得最快。
phrase: on the flat / reached the flat
The runners kept a steady speed once they reached the flat.
跑者們一跑到平地上就保持穩定的速度。
The race starts on a hill and finishes on the flat.
比賽從山坡開始，在平地上結束。
Faisal prefers to ride his bicycle on the flat rather than up hills.
Faisal 比較喜歡在平地上騎腳踏車，而不是騎上山坡。
- level ground
general term for flat land without slopes
- plain
a large area of flat land
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the phrase 'on the flat,' especially in sports such as horse racing, cycling, and athletics to refer to level ground as opposed to slopes or jumps.
5. a vehicle tyre that has gone flat because the air has escaped through a puncture
破胎
洩氣或爆胎的輪胎
a vehicle tyre that has gone flat because the air has escaped through a puncture or a leak in the rubber
Élise got a flat on her way to work this morning.
Élise 今天早上在上班途中破胎了。
common: got a flat
The driver stopped to change a flat tyre on the side of the road.
司機停在路邊更換破胎。
Zayd checked all four tyres so there would be no flats on the trip.
Zayd 檢查了四個輪胎，確保旅途不會破胎。
A loud noise told the driver that he had a flat.
一聲巨響讓司機知道輪胎破了。
用法筆記
Can be used alone ('a flat') or with 'tyre' ('a flat tyre'). The standalone form is very common in informal spoken English. In American English, the spelling 'tire' is used.
常見錯誤
6. women's shoes with a short, low heel or with the sole completely level from fron
平底鞋
鞋跟很低的女性鞋子
women's shoes with a short, low heel or with the sole completely level from front to back, designed to be easy to walk in
Iris wears flats to walk to the train station every day.
Iris 每天都穿平底鞋走去火車站。
collocation: wear flats
The shop sells leather flats in black, brown, and blue.
那家店有賣黑色、棕色和藍色的皮革平底鞋。
material: leather flats
Eri bought a pair of black flats for the office party.
Eri 買了一雙黑色平底鞋去參加辦公室派對。
Ballet flats are light and easy to carry in a bag.
芭蕾平底鞋很輕，容易放進包包裡。
- pumps
a common American English term for flat women's shoes
- ballet flats
a specific style of flat shoes inspired by ballet slippers
- high heels
shoes with a raised heel
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural form 'flats' when referring to flat shoes as a type or category of footwear. The singular can be used when talking about one shoe ('a flat').
7. a mark (♭) used in written music that tells the player to sound a named note a h
降記號
比指定音符低半音的記號或音符
a mark (♭) used in written music that tells the player to sound a named note a half step below its usual pitch; also refers to the note played at that lowered pitch.
The piece has three flats in the key signature, so the musician must remember them.
這首曲子有三個降記號在調號裡，所以演奏者必須全程記住它們。
countable noun in music: a flat / three flats
Amelia played B flat instead of B natural during her piano exam.
Amelia 在鋼琴考試時把 B 還原音彈成了 B 降記號。
contrast between flat and natural notes
A ♭ symbol in front of the note tells musicians to play one half step lower.
音符前方的 ♭ 符號告訴演奏者要彈低半個音。
After Walid saw the flat sign next to E, he played the black key.
Walid 看到 E 旁邊的降記號後，便彈了黑鍵。
Constanza used a red pencil to mark each flat in the score.
Constanza 用紅筆在樂譜上標出每一個降記號。
- flat note
two-word term that makes the meaning explicit, but less common than simply 'flat'
- sharp
the symbol (♯) that raises a note by one semitone
用法筆記
Commonly used with note names: B flat, E flat, A flat, etc. In British English the flat symbol is often referred to before the note (B flat), while some languages name the note after the symbol.
常見錯誤
8. the broad, level side or surface of an object, especially the part of a tool or
平坦面
物體上平坦的側面或表面
the broad, level side or surface of an object, especially the part of a tool or a body part that is not pointed or rounded — for example, the flat of a knife blade or the flat of your hand.
Otis crushed the garlic cloves with the flat of the knife on the board.
Otis 在砧板上用刀背的平坦面壓碎蒜瓣。
the flat of [tool]: the flat of the knife
Min hit the ball with the flat of her hand, sending it across the table.
Min 用手掌的平坦面擊球，將球打過了桌子。
the flat of [body part]: the flat of the hand
The flat of the sword is not sharp, so it cannot cut through the rope.
劍身的平坦面沒有刀鋒，所以割不斷繩子。
Vivek smoothed the rough board by pressing the flat of the tool against it.
Vivek 用工具的平坦面壓住粗糙的木板，將其磨平。
Élise held the fish with the flat of her palm while removing the scales.
Élise 用手掌的平坦面按住魚身，刮除魚鱗。
- flat side
more explicit but less idiomatic; also used for objects
- broad side
emphasises width; common for tools and weapons
- edge
the sharp or narrow side of a blade, used for cutting
文法句型
the flat of something
用法筆記
Always follows the pattern 'the flat of + noun' and is used with tools (knife, sword, hammer) or body parts (hand, palm, foot).
常見錯誤
flat — 形容詞
1. having a surface that is even across its whole area, without bumps, dips, or slo
平坦的
表面平整無凹凸
having a surface that is even across its whole area, without bumps, dips, or sloping parts.
The kitchen floor needs to be completely flat before we lay the new tiles.
廚房地板必須完全平坦才能鋪新磁磚。
collocation: completely flat
Putri placed a marble on the table to see if the surface was truly flat.
Putri 在桌上放了一顆彈珠，想看看桌面是否真的平坦。
The bike path runs along a flat stretch of ground beside the river for miles.
這條自行車道沿著河岸一段平坦的地面延伸數英里。
Élise ran her hand across the flat surface of the freshly polished granite countertop.
Élise 用手撫過剛拋光過的花崗岩流理臺，感受其平整的表面。
Most of the land here is flat, with only a few gentle hills.
這裡大部分的土地都很平坦，只有少數幾座平緩的山丘。
文法句型
flat + noun
be + flat
stay + flat
用法筆記
This is the core meaning of flat, used for floors, land, tables, roads, and any surface where evenness matters. It can be used both before a noun (a flat roof) and after a linking verb (the ground is flat).
常見錯誤
2. wide in relation to its height; having a broad surface but very little thickness
扁平的
寬而薄的形狀
wide in relation to its height; having a broad surface but very little thickness.
Doctors often recommend flat shoes for people who spend long hours walking on hard floors.
醫生經常推薦需要長時間在堅硬地板上行走的人穿平底鞋。
collocation: flat shoes
The delivery arrived in a flat cardboard box that fit easily through the front door.
包裹裝在一個扁平的紙箱裡送達，輕易地通過了大門。
Tunde spread the dough into a flat circle before baking it in the oven.
Tunde 把麵團擀成一個扁平的圓形，然後放進烤箱烘烤。
The flat stone skipped three times across the surface of the lake before it sank.
那塊扁平的石頭在湖面上跳了三下才沉入水中。
Nala prefers flat pillows because sleeping on a thick one hurts her neck.
Nala 比較喜歡扁平的枕頭，因為睡在厚枕頭上會讓她的脖子不舒服。
- thick
having a large distance between opposite surfaces
- tall
of greater height
- high-heeled
used for shoes with an elevated heel
文法句型
flat + noun
be + flat
用法筆記
Frequently used in product descriptions (flat-screen TV, flat-pack furniture) to highlight a thin profile. Also common for shoes without heels.
常見錯誤
3. describes bread or similar baked goods made without yeast, so they remain thin a
未發酵的
麵包不加酵母而不膨起的
describes bread or similar baked goods made without yeast, so they remain thin after cooking instead of rising.
In India, people often eat a type of flat bread called naan with their meals.
在印度，人們經常在主餐時吃一種叫做 naan 的未發酵薄餅。
used for bread types: naan, pita, tortilla
Kian bought a warm flat bread from the market and filled it with grilled vegetables.
Kian 從市場買了一塊溫熱的薄餅，裡面夾了烤蔬菜。
Flat bread needs only flour, water, and salt, so it is common in many countries.
未發酵的薄餅只需要麵粉、水和鹽，因此在許多國家都很常見。
The recipe for this simple flat bread takes just twenty minutes from start to finish.
這種簡單的薄餅食譜從頭到尾只需二十分鐘。
- unleavened
the technical term for bread without a raising agent; more formal
文法句型
flat + noun (bread / flatbread / tortilla)
用法筆記
Used only attributively — directly before the noun 'bread' or a bread name. It describes a cooking method, not the shape of the bread (flat bread can be round or oval).
常見錯誤
4. lacking interest, excitement, or energy; dull and unengaging.
枯燥的
缺乏趣味或活力的
lacking interest, excitement, or energy; dull and unengaging.
The party felt flat after most of the guests left early.
大部分客人提早離開後，派對的氣氛變得枯燥乏味。
predicative: feel + flat
Christopher's joke fell flat when nobody in the room laughed.
Christopher 的笑話沒人接，在房間裡完全冷場了。
phrasal collocation: fall flat
The film received bad reviews because the second half was flat and predictable.
那部電影的評價很差，因為後半段枯燥又老套。
Isabela spoke in a flat voice, showing no emotion about the news she was reading.
Isabela 用平淡的語氣說話，對於她正在唸的新聞一點情緒也沒有。
After the winning goal was disallowed, the energy in the stadium went completely flat.
致勝球被取消之後，體育場裡的氣氛完全冷卻下來。
文法句型
be + flat
fall + flat
flat + noun (voice / tone / joke)
用法筆記
Often used with 'fall flat' (a joke or attempt that fails to amuse) or 'go flat' (energy or atmosphere that disappears). The attributive use (flat voice, flat performance) describes a delivery lacking feeling.
常見錯誤
5. having used up all its electrical charge, so it can no longer power a device.
沒電的
電池電力耗盡的
having used up all its electrical charge, so it can no longer power a device.
I tried to turn on my phone, but the battery was completely flat.
我試著打開手機，但電池已經完全沒電了。
collocation: battery is flat
Brandon's laptop shut down during the meeting because the battery had gone flat.
Brandon 的筆記型電腦在會議中關機，因為電池沒電了。
collocation: go flat (battery)
You should charge rechargeable batteries before they go completely flat.
你應該在充電電池完全沒電之前就進行充電。
The smoke alarm started beeping because its backup battery was flat.
煙霧警報器開始嗶嗶作響，因為備用電池沒電了。
Jisoo grabbed a fresh battery from the drawer and replaced the flat one in the torch.
Jisoo 從抽屜裡拿出一顆新電池，換掉手電筒裡那顆沒電的電池。
- charged
having electrical power stored
- full
completely charged
- rechargeable
able to be charged again (not opposite but contrastive)
文法句型
be + flat
go + flat
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In American English, 'dead' is the usual word for a battery with no charge. Used predicatively — you say 'the battery is flat', not 'a flat battery' (though the attributive use occurs occasionally in informal British English).
常見錯誤
6. describes a fizzy drink that has lost its gas bubbles and no longer has any fizz
沒氣的
飲料失去氣泡的
describes a fizzy drink that has lost its gas bubbles and no longer has any fizz.
Sana opened the bottle of soda and found that it had gone completely flat.
Sana 打開那瓶汽水，發現它已經完全沒氣了。
collocation: go flat (drink)
The champagne tasted flat because the bottle had been open since the night before.
那瓶香檳喝起來沒氣了，因為瓶蓋從前一天晚上就一直開著。
Always close the bottle tightly to keep the lemonade from turning flat overnight.
記得要把瓶蓋轉緊，以免檸檬水放到隔天就沒氣了。
Putri poured the flat cola down the sink and opened a fresh can from the fridge.
Putri 把沒氣的可樂倒進水槽，從冰箱開了一罐新的。
A waiter brought sparkling water, but it was flat by the time it reached our table.
服務生端來氣泡水，但送到我們桌上的時候沒氣了。
- fizzy
having bubbles; the normal state for carbonated drinks
- sparkling
full of small gas bubbles
- carbonated
technical term for drinks containing dissolved carbon dioxide
文法句型
be + flat
go + flat
taste + flat
turn + flat
用法筆記
Used only for carbonated beverages — soda, sparkling water, beer, champagne. Still drinks (juice, milk) cannot be described as flat because they naturally have no bubbles.
常見錯誤
7. complete, definite, and not open to change or doubt; used before a noun to empha
斷然的
徹底且不容變更的
complete, definite, and not open to change or doubt; used before a noun to emphasise a total rejection, denial, or falsehood
The mayor gave a flat refusal when the team asked to build a new stadium.
市長斷然拒絕了球隊興建新體育館的請求。
flat + noun for total/definite refusal
The committee issued a flat denial of any plans to close the local library.
委員會斷然否認有任何關閉當地圖書館的計畫。
Mr. Asher called the accusation a flat lie and demanded an immediate apology.
Asher 先生稱這項指控完全是謊言，並要求立刻道歉。
Our request for extra funding received a flat rejection from the board members.
我們追加經費的請求遭到董事會的斷然拒絕。
The senator's explanation was a flat contradiction of what the witness had said.
參議員的解釋與證人所說的話完全矛盾。
- outright
stronger emphasis on no limit or restraint; also used before a noun
- categorical
more formal; emphasises that something is stated without any conditions
- absolute
broader range; can be used before or after the noun in some patterns
- qualified
limited or conditional in some way
文法句型
flat + noun (refusal/denial/rejection/lie)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Common with nouns expressing refusal, denial, rejection, or falsehood.
常見錯誤
8. describing an inflatable object that has lost most or all of its air, leaving it
消風的
輪胎或球類內部缺少空氣
describing an inflatable object that has lost most or all of its air, leaving it soft, deflated, or unusable
We could not ride our bikes because both tyres were completely flat this morning.
我們沒辦法騎腳踏車，因為兩個輪胎今天早上都沒氣了。
flat tyre — no air inside
The children's football went flat after it hit the sharp edge of the garden wall.
孩子們的足球撞到花園圍牆的尖角後就沒氣了。
Ravindra checked the spare wheel and found it was flat from months in the garage.
Ravindra 檢查備胎，發現它在車庫裡放了好幾個月已經沒氣了。
A flat tyre on the motorway caused a long delay during the evening rush hour.
輪胎在高速公路上沒氣，導致晚間尖峰時間嚴重延誤。
The beach ball had gone flat overnight, so Nala filled it with air before swimming.
沙灘球放了一夜已經沒氣了，所以 Nala 在游泳前把它充飽。
- inflated
filled with air to the correct pressure
文法句型
flat + noun (tyre/ball)
用法筆記
Often used with go (go flat) to describe a tyre or ball losing air gradually. Can also describe other inflatable objects such as air mattresses or balloons.
常見錯誤
9. (especially of a price, fee, or amount of money) set at a certain level that doe
固定的
費用金額固定不變
(especially of a price, fee, or amount of money) set at a certain level that does not increase or decrease according to other factors
The electrician charges a flat fee of sixty dollars for any home visit he makes.
這位水電工每次到府服務收取固定費用六十美元。
flat fee — fixed, not varying
Students pay a flat rate for unlimited bus travel throughout the entire city.
學生支付固定費率，即可無限次搭乘全市公車。
The restaurant offers a flat price for the main course that includes side dishes.
這家餐廳的主餐採固定價格，並附贈配菜。
We agreed on a flat monthly payment of eight hundred dollars for the apartment.
我們同意每月支付八百美元的固定房租。
The courier service charges a flat rate regardless of how many boxes you send.
這家快遞公司不論寄送多少箱子都收取固定費率。
文法句型
flat + noun (fee/rate/price/charge)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Distinguish from sense 7 (COMPLETE): 'flat fee' means a fixed monetary amount, while 'flat refusal' means a total, definite no.
常見錯誤
10. (of business activity such as sales, profits, or prices) not growing, increasing
停滯的
銷售或利潤無增長
(of business activity such as sales, profits, or prices) not growing, increasing, or changing, often at a level lower than hoped for
Sales were flat for the third month, which worried the company's senior managers.
銷售額連續三個月停滯，令公司高層主管十分擔憂。
flat sales — not growing
The computer manufacturer reported flat profits for the second year in a row.
這家電腦製造商連續第二年回報利潤停滯。
Housing prices stayed flat throughout the winter, then rose again in the spring.
房價整個冬季停滯不前，到了春天才再度上漲。
After a period of fast growth, the firm's earnings went flat in the last quarter.
經歷一段快速成長後，該公司上一季的獲利陷入停滯。
Omar was disappointed that holiday sales remained flat despite the big advertising campaign.
Omar 很失望，儘管投入了大規模的廣告活動，假期銷售仍然停滯。
文法句型
flat + noun (sales/profits/earnings)
用法筆記
Common in financial reports and business news. Often used with verbs like stay, remain, or go to describe the state of economic indicators.
常見錯誤
11. lower in pitch than the written note or than the true, correct pitch; below the
降音的
音高低於標準音
lower in pitch than the written note or than the true, correct pitch; below the intended musical note
The violinist played several notes flat, so the conductor asked her to retune carefully.
小提琴手有幾個音拉得偏低，於是指揮請她重新調音。
play a note flat — below correct pitch
Lara's voice went flat during the high section of the song she was practising.
Lara 在練習的那首歌高音段時聲音變得偏低。
That chord sounds flat because the piano has not been tuned for two years.
那個和絃聽起來偏低，因為這架鋼琴已經兩年沒調音了。
The trumpet player's notes were consistently flat, so he adjusted his embouchure during the break.
小號手的音一直偏低，於是他趁中場休息調整了吹奏嘴型。
When a guitar string sounds flat, turn the tuning peg until the pitch rises.
當吉他弦音偏低時，轉動調音旋鈕直到音高回升。
- low
informal; general description of pitch, not a precise musical term
- below pitch
descriptive phrase; less technical
- sharp
higher than the correct pitch
文法句型
flat + noun (note/pitch)
go/sound flat
用法筆記
The opposite musical term is 'sharp' (higher than correct pitch). Unlike most senses of 'flat', this sense can be used after a linking verb (sounds flat, went flat).
常見錯誤
12. having a surface that does not reflect light; not glossy or shiny, often as a de
霧面的
表面不反光、無光澤
having a surface that does not reflect light; not glossy or shiny, often as a deliberate choice for paint, paper, or cosmetics
Putri chose a flat paint for the bedroom walls because it hides small bumps well.
Putri 為臥室牆壁選了霧面漆，因為它能遮掩細微凹凸。
flat paint — non-glossy, matte finish
The artist prefers flat paper for her charcoal drawings so the light does not glare.
這位藝術家偏好使用霧面紙畫炭筆素描，這樣光線不會反光。
Flat nail polish looks more natural than the shiny type for everyday wear at work.
霧面指甲油比亮面款更適合日常上班時使用，看起來較自然。
The new car had a flat black paint that absorbed sunlight instead of reflecting it.
這輛新車採用霧面黑色塗裝，會吸收陽光而不會反射。
For the wedding photos, the model wore a flat foundation that softened the studio lights.
為了婚紗照，模特兒使用了霧面粉底，讓棚內燈光變得柔和。
- matt
British English term for the same concept
- matte
common spelling in American English for non-glossy surfaces
- non-glossy
descriptive; clearer for learners
文法句型
flat + noun (paint/finish/colour)
用法筆記
Common in product descriptions for paint, makeup, and photography. In British English, 'matt' is more common for paint finishes; 'flat' is the preferred term in American English.
常見錯誤
13. lying completely flat against the ground or another surface, with the whole body
平躺的
全身伸直躺在地面或表面
lying completely flat against the ground or another surface, with the whole body stretched out
After the long run, Minho lay flat on the grass, breathing heavily.
長跑結束後，Minho 全身平躺在草地上，大口喘氣。
collocation: lay flat [posture verb]
The old wooden table fell flat on the kitchen floor with a loud crash.
那張舊木桌砰的一聲平倒在廚房地板上。
collocation: fell flat
Walid stretched out flat on the sofa after working all day.
Walid 工作了一整天後，全身伸直攤平在沙發上。
Rescue workers found the hiker lying flat on a rock, too exhausted to move.
救難人員發現那名登山客平躺在岩石上，累得動彈不得。
The children lay flat on their backs in the field, watching clouds drift by.
孩子們平躺在田野裡，看著雲朵緩緩飄過。
- prone
formal; specifically means lying face-down
- supine
formal; specifically means lying face-up
- prostrate
formal; suggests lying face-down from exhaustion, weakness, or worship
- stretched out
informal; emphasises the extended position of arms and legs
文法句型
lie / fall / stretch + flat
flat + on + surface
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs of posture such as 'lie', 'lay' (past tense), 'fall', or 'stretch'. The phrase 'flat on one's back/face/stomach' specifies the body position.
常見錯誤
flat — 副詞
1. in a position that is level with and touching a surface, not upright — for insta
平坦地
平放在另一表面上
in a position that is level with and touching a surface, not upright — for instance, stretching out across a floor or putting your palm against a wall.
Quinn lay flat on the wooden floor, trying to hear the music below.
Quinn 平躺在木地板上，試圖聽見樓下的音樂聲。
Manuela pressed her palm flat against the cool kitchen counter.
Manuela 把掌心平貼在冰涼的廚房檯面上。
press + flat: palm against surface
Karim spread the old map flat on the bonnet of his car.
Karim 把舊地圖平攤在汽車引擎蓋上。
Lauren laid the dress flat on the table before cutting the fabric.
Lauren 在裁剪布料前，先把洋裝平放在桌上。
After the storm, the wheat fields lay flat across the valley floor.
暴風過後，麥田一片片倒伏在谷地上。
- upright
vertical position
- vertically
moving or positioned straight up and down
文法句型
lie + flat
lay + flat
press + flat
spread + flat
用法筆記
Frequently follows verbs of placing or positioning such as 'lie', 'lay', 'press', 'spread', and 'push'.
常見錯誤
2. into a shape or form that has little or no height, usually by pressing, folding,
扁平地
壓扁使沒有高度
into a shape or form that has little or no height, usually by pressing, folding, or hitting something.
Jiwoo folded the empty box flat and put it in the recycling bin.
Jiwoo 把空紙箱摺扁，放進回收桶裡。
fold + flat: box for recycling
The children hammered the bent metal flat with a heavy stone.
孩子們用大石頭把彎曲的金屬片敲平。
hammer + flat: metal shaping
Noa pressed the suitcase flat so it would fit under the seat.
Noa 把行李箱壓扁，好塞進座位下方。
Tamar collapsed the tent flat and packed it into the small bag.
Tamar 把帳篷壓平收進小袋子裡。
- completely
used with 'fold' to emphasise total compression
- tightly
focuses on the pressure rather than the resulting shape
文法句型
fold + flat
hammer + flat
press + flat
collapse + flat
用法筆記
Often follows verbs of compressing or shaping such as 'fold', 'hammer', 'press', and 'collapse'. The resulting shape is thin and takes up little vertical space.
常見錯誤
3. used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection stronger and more definite — meanin
斷然；完全
用於拒絕或否認以加強語氣
used to make a refusal, denial, or rejection stronger and more definite — meaning 'completely and without any doubt'.
Ayesha flat refused to speak to her brother after the argument.
Ayesha 斷然拒絕在爭吵後跟弟弟說話。
flat + refused: strengthens refusal
The proposal was flat rejected by the board of directors.
那項提案被董事會斷然否決。
flat + rejected: passive construction
Tunde flat denied taking the money from the office drawer.
Tunde 斷然否認從辦公室抽屜裡拿了錢。
When asked about the delay, the manager flat stated it was not his fault.
被問到延誤的原因時，經理斷言這不是他的錯。
- absolutely
more general intensifier that works with both positive and negative statements
- utterly
slightly more formal, often used for complete failure or destruction
- categorically
most formal, particularly strong in written denials and official statements
- reluctantly
suggests hesitation rather than firm rejection
- vaguely
suggests uncertainty rather than absolute refusal
文法句型
flat + [verb of refusal/denial/rejection]
用法筆記
Used before verbs that express refusal (refuse), denial (deny), or rejection (reject). Does not combine with positive or neutral actions — you cannot say 'flat agreed' or 'flat accepted'.
常見錯誤
4. used immediately after an expression of time to emphasise that the time is exact
整整；精確
時間上精準恰好
used immediately after an expression of time to emphasise that the time is exact — often expressing surprise at how quickly or precisely something happened.
Sofie finished the race in twelve minutes flat, beating her record.
Sofie 以整整十二分鐘跑完全程，打破了自己的紀錄。
[time] + flat: exact finish time
The repair crew arrived in thirty minutes flat despite the storm.
維修人員在暴風雨中僅花了三十分鐘就抵達。
arrived in + [time] + flat
Jiwoo read the entire book in three days flat during the holiday.
Jiwoo 在假期中整整三天就把整本書讀完了。
The pizza delivery reached their door in twenty minutes flat.
披薩外送在二十分鐘內就送到了他們門口。
文法句型
[time period] + flat
用法筆記
Always comes after a time expression, never before it. Common with 'in' phrases: 'in [number] minutes/hours/days flat'. Frequently signals that the speaker finds the time surprisingly short.
常見錯誤
5. used only in the fixed phrase 'flat broke' to mean having nothing, with not a si
徹底地
強調完全沒有錢
used only in the fixed phrase 'flat broke' to mean having nothing, with not a single coin or banknote — a stronger version of the word 'broke' by itself.
After paying tuition, Nellie was flat broke for the rest of the month.
繳完學費後，Nellie 整個月身無分文。
was flat broke after a big expense
The restaurant went flat broke after the summer tourist season ended.
那家餐廳在去年夏天旅遊旺季過後就徹底破產了。
went flat broke: business failure
Camille ended up flat broke after her round-the-world trip.
Camille 環遊世界回來後，身上連一毛錢都不剩。
Tamar loaned her friend some money because he was flat broke.
Tamar 借了一些錢給朋友，因為他身無分文。
- completely broke
the same meaning without the fixed phrase — less idiomatic but acceptable
- penniless
more formal, does not use 'flat' as an intensifier
文法句型
flat broke
用法筆記
Only appears in the fixed phrase 'flat broke'. 'Flat' here functions as an intensifier — it cannot be used with other adjectives (not 'flat poor' or 'flat penniless').
常見錯誤
6. at maximum speed or with the strongest effort someone or something can give; wor
全速；全力
以最快速度或最大力氣
at maximum speed or with the strongest effort someone or something can give; working or moving at your absolute limit.
Élise ran flat out to catch the last train leaving the station.
Élise 全力奔跑，趕上了即將離站的最後一班火車。
ran flat out: maximum speed
The kitchen staff worked flat out to serve lunch before noon.
廚房員工全力工作，趕在中午前供應午餐。
worked flat out: maximum effort
Tunde pedalled flat out up the steep hill during the race.
Tunde 在比賽中全力踩踏板衝上陡峭的山坡。
Lien's factory has been running flat out since the new orders arrived.
Lien 的工廠自從接到新訂單以來一直全力生產。
- at full speed
more formal, focuses on velocity rather than combined speed-and-effort
- all out
similar meaning, also informal
- at top speed
focuses on speed, used for vehicles and athletes
- slowly
at a low speed
- half-heartedly
without full effort or commitment
文法句型
flat out
用法筆記
Always part of the fixed phrase 'flat out'. Can be used with verbs of movement (run, pedal, drive) and verbs of effort (work, run (a business or machine)). The related adjective form 'flat-out' (with hyphen) is used before nouns: 'a flat-out refusal'.