stay flat

USAGE SUMMARY

"stay flat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a command or instruction for someone or something to remain in a flat or level position. Example: "Please make sure the tablecloth stays flat on the table, we don't want it to wrinkle." Another example: "The pilot announced for all passengers to stay flat in their seats during the turbulence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Analysts had expected sales to stay flat.

The New York Times

The spots loom and recede, jostle and stay flat.

The Guardian

And revenue is expected to stay flat as prices fall.

The New York Times

Now the MET is predicting it will stay flat for at least another five years.

University of California, Berkeley

Sales of large SUVs, meanwhile, are expected to stay flat or even decline.

The Washington Post

In Britain, prices need to fall by 38% or stay flat for seven years.

The Economist

The unemployment rate is predicted to stay flat at 8.3 percent.

The New York Times

Did you enjoy a double-digit rise, stay flat or suffer a droop?

The Times

Schools are shedding staff as costs rise and budgets stay flat.

The Guardian

Americans bust their tails, some working two or three jobs, but wages stay flat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I might stay flat-footed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stay flat" in financial contexts, ensure you clarify the specific metric you're referring to, such as revenue, stock price, or interest rates, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "stay flat" inherently indicates failure. In some contexts, such as during economic downturns, maintaining the status quo can be a positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stay flat" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a state of remaining constant or unchanged. Ludwig's examples show its use across various domains, from economics to physical descriptions, emphasizing a lack of movement or variation. The Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stay flat" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate a lack of change or movement. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its wide application across various contexts. From news reports on economic trends to instructions on physical positioning, the phrase conveys stability and the absence of fluctuation. While versatile, clarity is crucial, particularly in technical contexts. The phrase's frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its widespread acceptance and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain unchanged

Focuses on the absence of any alteration.

remain constant

Emphasizes a lack of fluctuation over time.

maintain the same level

More explicit about keeping the current position.

hold steady

Implies maintaining the current level or position.

level off

Suggests a previous change has stopped and stabilized.

stabilize

Highlights the act of becoming stable and resisting change.

plateau

Suggests a period of no growth after a rise.

flatline

Often used in medical or economic contexts to indicate no activity or change.

cease fluctuating

Specifically addresses the ending of up-and-down movements.

be stagnant

Implies a lack of progress or development.

FAQs

How can I use "stay flat" in a sentence about market trends?

You might say, "Analysts predict that housing prices will "stay flat" for the next quarter due to economic uncertainty."

What's a good alternative to "stay flat" when describing financial performance?

Consider using phrases like "remain constant", "hold steady", or "remain unchanged" to convey a similar meaning without implying negativity.

Which is correct: "stay flat" or "remain flattened"?

While both can be grammatically correct depending on the context, ""stay flat"" is more commonly used and generally preferred when describing a state of no change. "Remain flattened" suggests a previous action of flattening.

What does it mean when someone says something is expected to "stay flat"?

It means the speaker anticipates no significant increase or decrease in the value, level, or amount of something. For example, "Sales are expected to "stay flat" this year", indicates predicted stagnation in sales figures.