working flat out

USAGE SUMMARY

'working flat out' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means working or exerting maximum effort or speed. Example: Despite being exhausted, I continued working flat out to finish the project before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We are working flat out with governments around the world to come up with a solution".

The Guardian - Business

Boeing and Airbus are working flat out and have a long waiting list.

The Economist

But the Human Genome Project's laboratories are working flat out on the others.

The Economist

But even with Premier League lawyers working flat out, the sport can't keep up.

The Guardian

We will keep working flat out until our normal fluent service is restored.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Tremonti's team should be working flat out on radical plans to encourage people to build up private pensions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We are working flat-out until the last minute.

The Guardian

Even with everybody working flat-out, there is a limit to how much due diligence Playtech can have done.

The Guardian - Business

Its three big premium brands, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi (part of Volkswagen), are working flat-out to meet demand for their beautifully engineered, stylish motors.

The Economist

Coppersmiths are working flat-out to create new copper stills for distilleries around the country and abroad.

BBC

It added it was working "flat-out" to keep the sewer network running and "helping customers wherever we can".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context aligns with the informal tone of the expression. While versatile, "working flat out" is best suited for scenarios where a direct, straightforward description of effort is needed, and excessive formality is unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "working flat out" in highly formal or academic writing. Its informal tone might be inappropriate for contexts that require a more sophisticated or technical vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working flat out" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of exerting maximum effort. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working flat out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes exerting maximum effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often conveying a sense of urgency and dedication. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal or academic settings, opting for more sophisticated alternatives instead. Understanding its nuanced usage ensures effective communication and prevents potential tone mismatches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting in maximum effort

Highlights a state of exertion to perform at the best level possible.

working at full capacity

Indicates operating at the maximum possible level of performance or output.

giving it one's all

Signifies committing all available resources and energy to achieve a goal.

working around the clock

Emphasizes continuous work, often implying a sense of urgency or dedication.

exerting oneself fully

Emphasizes the act of applying all one's strength and energy to a task.

burning the midnight oil

Highlights late-night work, suggesting a sacrifice of sleep for task completion.

pushing oneself to the limit

Describes reaching the boundaries of one's capabilities through hard work.

going the extra mile

Signifies exceeding expectations, adding commitment above and beyond what is strictly necessary.

striving with all one's might

Highlights continuous and unwavering efforts with intense strength.

leaving no stone unturned

Signifies exhaustively exploring all possibilities and options to achieve a goal.

FAQs

What does "working flat out" mean?

"Working flat out" means working as hard as possible or exerting maximum effort to complete a task or achieve a goal.

Is "working flat out" formal or informal?

"Working flat out" is considered an informal expression. It's best suited for everyday conversations and less formal writing contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "exerting maximum effort" or "working at full capacity".

What can I say instead of "working flat out"?

You can use alternatives like "working around the clock", "putting in maximum effort", or "giving it one's all" depending on the context.

How to use "working flat out" in a sentence?

You can use "working flat out" to describe situations where someone or a group is working very hard. For example, "The team is working flat out to meet the deadline."