As flat as a pancake
adjective
Something that is very flat or smooth.
After pressing, the clothes were as flat as a pancake.
Often appears as...
- as smooth as a pancake
- as flat as a board
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
adjective
Someone who is in a poor physical condition.
After running the marathon, he was as flat as a pancake.
Often appears as...
- as tired as a pancake
- as exhausted as a pancake
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Being without variation in quality or character.
The whole event was as flat as a pancake, without any highlights.
Often appears as...
- as dull as a pancake
- as uninteresting as a pancake
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Something that is very flat or smooth.
After pressing, the clothes were as flat as a pancake.
Often appears as...
- as smooth as a pancake
- as flat as a board
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
adjective
Someone who is in a poor physical condition.
After running the marathon, he was as flat as a pancake.
Often appears as...
- as tired as a pancake
- as exhausted as a pancake
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Being without variation in quality or character.
The whole event was as flat as a pancake, without any highlights.
Often appears as...
- as dull as a pancake
- as uninteresting as a pancake
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Comparative Imagery
Visualize how a pancake is completely flat to understand this expression's meaning.
Her new haircut made her head look as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
The phrase is often used to exaggerate flatness, even when something isn't literally that flat.
He ironed the shirt until it was as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Misuse
Avoid using this expression to describe things that are usually flat; it's meant to emphasize an unusual degree of flatness.
The deflated soccer ball was as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 1/3Comparative Imagery
Visualize how a pancake is completely flat to understand this expression's meaning.
Her new haircut made her head look as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
The phrase is often used to exaggerate flatness, even when something isn't literally that flat.
He ironed the shirt until it was as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Misuse
Avoid using this expression to describe things that are usually flat; it's meant to emphasize an unusual degree of flatness.
The deflated soccer ball was as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 1/3Comparative Imagery
Visualize how a pancake is completely flat to understand this expression's meaning.
Her new haircut made her head look as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
The phrase is often used to exaggerate flatness, even when something isn't literally that flat.
He ironed the shirt until it was as flat as a pancake.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Misuse
Avoid using this expression to describe things that are usually flat; it's meant to emphasize an unusual degree of flatness.
The deflated soccer ball was as flat as a pancake.
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