hold flat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold flat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to keeping something in a flat position or ensuring that an object remains level and not tilted. Example: "Please hold the board flat against the wall while I secure it in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

European tariff rates continued to hold flat until 1930, well after the Depression had begun.

The Economist

What is more encouraging, the company's revenues are now expected to hold flat at just over $3 billion over each of the next three years, Goldman Sachs estimates.

The New York Times

Going to the supermarket became an endurance event as trolleys became bigger, to hold flat screen televisions and computer printers.

BBC

Chief Financial Officer Andy Bryant Andy Bryant said spending will hold flat or be down next year even if revenue grows.

Forbes

Second, the administration has not asked, as part of a request that would hold flat NSF's overall research budget next year, to spend 6% more on the type of research that so annoys Smith.

Science Magazine

Sixty-seven percent of CMOs plan to increase their spending in digital advertising in 2018 while 63% of marketers stated they expect to hold flat or cut offline advertising investments.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Dallas prices fell in September after holding flat in August.

The Economist

The pizza was still held flat and the coffee undisturbed.

The New York Times

In 2008, the economy shrank 0.3%, rather than holding flat, as earlier estimated.

The Economist

"Today was his first gymnastics lesson," joked Tia Eberline, third from the left, holding Flat Stanley.

The Washington Post

During that span, the unemployment rate for whites has held flat at 4.7percentt.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to position an object, use "hold flat" to ensure it remains level and doesn't tilt, especially when precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "hold flat" when you mean to "hold steady". "Hold flat" specifically refers to maintaining a level surface, while "hold steady" means maintaining stability against movement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold flat" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of keeping something in a level or horizontal position. As Ludwig AI explains, it implies preventing an object from tilting or bending, as demonstrated in several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold flat" serves as a verb phrase to instruct or describe maintaining a level, horizontal position. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct, used across a range of contexts including news, instructional content, and scientific documentation. While not exceptionally common, its meaning is clear and its use is generally neutral. To maintain precision in your writing, remember that "hold flat" emphasizes preventing tilt or curvature, and consider alternatives like "keep level" or "remain horizontal" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain level

Emphasizes maintaining a horizontal position or state.

maintain level

Similar to remain level but implies active effort to keep it that way.

keep horizontal

Specifically refers to maintaining a horizontal orientation.

stay even

Focuses on keeping something at the same height or value.

hold steady

Similar to keep steady but emphasizes resisting external forces.

keep steady

Highlights maintaining stability and preventing movement.

maintain equilibrium

Focuses on maintaining a state of balance or stability.

stay constant

Refers to maintaining a consistent value or condition over time.

keep uniform

Highlights maintaining consistency in appearance or structure.

remain unchanged

Indicates no alteration or modification in a particular state.

FAQs

How can I use "hold flat" in a sentence?

You can use "hold flat" to describe keeping something level, such as "Please "hold the board flat" while I nail it."

What does "hold flat" mean?

The phrase "hold flat" means to keep something in a level or horizontal position, preventing it from tilting or bending.

Is it correct to say "held flat"?

Yes, "held flat" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The muscle was "held flat" on the pedestal."

What's the difference between "hold flat" and "keep level"?

"Hold flat" usually refers to a physical action of keeping something in a horizontal position at a particular moment, while "keep level" describes a continuous state. You might "hold a picture frame flat" while hanging it, and hope it will "keep level" over time.