Phrasal verb
flatten out
Definition
phrasal verb. to become flat or level, or to stop increasing and stay at the same level.
phrasal verb. To become level or even; to reach a plateau where a previous trend of increase or decrease ceases. The verb is typically intransitive in this sense, though it can be transitive when describing the physical act of making something flat.
Examples
“The road flattens out after you pass the old farm.”
“After two years of rapid growth, the company's profits began to flatten out this summer.”
“Geological evidence suggests the terrain began to flatten out millions of years ago due to consistent glacial erosion across the plateau.”
Examples
simple
“The road flattens out after you pass the old farm.”
contextual
“After two years of rapid growth, the company's profits began to flatten out this summer.”
complex
“Geological evidence suggests the terrain began to flatten out millions of years ago due to consistent glacial erosion across the plateau.”
Usage
usually describes a physical surface or a statistical trend like prices or growth.
Teaching tip
useful for describing graphs and trends in business English; compare it with 'level off' which is a very close synonym.
Pitfall
The runner was going flatten out.
The runner was going flat out.
do not confuse the phrasal verb 'flatten out' with the idiom 'flat out', which means at maximum speed or effort.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
flatten + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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