Flat out Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Emphasis Used to stress the effort or speed someone is applying in their action. He was running flat out to catch the bus. Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal It's an expression and doesn't mean someone is physically flat or out. Even though she was tired, she danced flat out. Pro Tip 3/3Time Sensitive Often suggests a sense of urgency or a race against time. The team is working flat out to finish the project on time.