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Region: General | Usage example: The car’s hood was flat as a pancake after the crash.

Flat as a pancake

Meaning

Completely flat.

Usage

Describes surfaces, land, or sometimes comic effects.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Pancakes are thin and level, so the comparison highlights flatness.

Recorded in 19th-century American cookbooks and talk.

Related Idioms

Flat out

At maximum effort or speed.

Fall flat

Fail to have the intended effect.

It's raining harder than a cow wetting on a flat rock

It is pouring rain.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.