1 C1 informal
To press something firmly so that it lies completely flat.
"She flatted down the creases in the map before folding it away."
separable
flat down
C1 informal separable transitive
To press or lay something completely flat against a surface.
In plain English
To push something down so it is totally flat, like pressing a piece of paper against a table.
What does "flat down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 informal
To cause something upright to collapse flat to the ground.
"The strong wind flatted down the young saplings in the garden."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make flat by pressing downward — entirely transparent.
Actually means
To push something down so it is totally flat, like pressing a piece of paper against a table.
Usage tip
A rare and informal expression, more common in regional British dialects. Not widely used in standard written English.
Words that pair with "flat down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hair grass paper fabric cardboard
How to conjugate "flat down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
flat down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
flats down
he/she/it
Past simple
flated down
yesterday
Past participle
flated down
have + pp
-ing form
flating down
continuous
Hear "flat down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "flat down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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