laid out flat

USAGE SUMMARY

"laid out flat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something which has been arranged in a straight, horizontal position. For example, "The pieces of the puzzle were laid out flat on the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Perhaps these beds and dresses laid out flat alert us to the shadow of death hanging over the show.

The New Yorker

Every morning, the burrow was dug out again, the soil piled to one side and the rocks laid out flat as if he were building a patio.

The New York Times - Style

Mr. Miyake is represented by three dresses in bright polyester on mannequins, opposite the same garments laid out flat like shaped paintings, and also by his accordionlike "flying saucer" dress displayed in three states, flat to fully extended.

The New York Times - Arts

These amenities start with a relatively large convertible seat, which can be used either as a chair and desk combination or laid out flat as a bed (MAXjet's seats are not as flexible).

The New York Times

Speaking of dresses and fallen soldiers, Leibovitz seems particularly obsessed with dresses laid out flat rather than hanging (both Dickinson's dress and Anderson's dresses were photographed this way), and also with beds.

The New Yorker

The little fish are dried and laid out flat and look more like bookmarks than creatures that once swam in water, just another in a galaxy of species on the sidewalks of Chinatown that the police lieutenant -- a neighborhood girl back when the girls were all Parisis and Ciprianos and Russos -- cannot identify by name or purpose.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Lay out flat on baking sheet.

Huffington Post

"The issue is, do we need to change the tax system, and the answer is yes, and that's the reason I laid out that flat simple flat tax of 20 percent across the board," Mr. Perry said.

The New York Times

But there's something about the lives of notorious others, laid out as flat as comic strips, that grips the lazy consciousness that is our summer state of mind.

The New York Times

When I got back to my studio, I took the zipper off that bag and laid it out flat.

The New York Times

You enjoy – at a very basic level – small objects laid out on a flat table.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, use "laid out flat" to clearly indicate a step where an object needs to be in a level position for the next action.

Common error

Avoid using "laid out flat" when you simply mean "designed" or "planned". This phrase specifically implies a physical arrangement or state, not an abstract concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laid out flat" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state of something that has been placed or arranged in a level, extended position. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in describing objects, arrangements, and even abstract concepts metaphorically.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "laid out flat" is a versatile adjective phrase, commonly used to describe something arranged in a level and extended position. Grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently found in news articles, wikis, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately depicts a physical arrangement rather than an abstract concept. Alternatives like "spread out evenly" or "arranged horizontally" can offer nuanced variations. The examples available from Ludwig showcase how "laid out flat" is utilized across diverse sources, emphasizing its prevalence and adaptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread out evenly

Emphasizes the even distribution of something over a surface.

arranged horizontally

Focuses on the horizontal arrangement of objects.

flattened

Highlights the act of making something flat.

unfolded

Suggests that something was previously folded and is now flat.

displayed openly

Focuses on the presentation aspect, indicating that something is visible and accessible.

set out neatly

Implies a careful and organized arrangement.

presented panoramically

Indicates a wide and comprehensive view.

displayed two-dimensionally

Focuses on the lack of depth in the display.

levelled

Highlights the action of making level something

expanded fully

Indicates that something has reached its full extent.

FAQs

How can I use "laid out flat" in a sentence?

You can use "laid out flat" to describe something that has been arranged in a straight, horizontal position. For instance, "The map was "laid out flat" on the table for better viewing".

What are some alternatives to saying "laid out flat"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "spread out evenly", "arranged horizontally", or "flattened" as alternatives to "laid out flat".

Is it correct to say "layed out flat" instead of "laid out flat"?

No, the correct past participle of "lay" in this context is "laid", not "layed". Therefore, "laid out flat" is the grammatically correct phrase.

What is the difference between "laid out flat" and "lying flat"?

"Laid out flat" implies an action of placing something in a flat position, while "lying flat" describes the state of something already in a flat position. For example, you would "lay a document out flat" and then it is "lying flat".