Flat broke Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈfɫæt/ /ˈbɹoʊk

FLAT-brohk

UK

flˈæt/ /bɹˈəʊk

flat-BROHK

Definition

Completely out of money; having no money at all. This expression is informal and used to emphasize being totally broke.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal, often used humorously or to exaggerate a lack of money. More forceful than just 'broke'—'flat broke' means there is absolutely no money. Not used in formal writing. Common with 'I'm', 'We're', or 'He/She is flat broke'.

• Spanish: sin un centavo - completamente arruinado
• Portuguese (BR): liso duro (gíria) - totalmente sem dinheiro
• Portuguese (PT): teso - sem um tostão
• Chinese (Simplified): 身无分文 - 一分钱都没有
• Chinese (Traditional): 身無分文 - 一毛都沒有
• Hindi: एकदम कंगाल - बिलकुल खाली
• Arabic: مفلس تمامًا - لا يملك فلسًا واحدًا
• Bengali: একেবারে দেউলিয়া - পুরোপুরি নিঃস্ব
• Russian: совсем на мели - полностью без денег
• Japanese: すっからかん - 完全にお金がない
• Vietnamese: cháy túi - hết sạch tiền
• Korean: 완전히 빈털터리 - 돈이 완전히 없음
• Turkish: beş parasız - tamamen meteliksiz
• Urdu: بالکل مفلس - ایک دم خالی ہاتھ
• Indonesian: bangkrut total - benar-benar tidak punya uang

Example Sentences

I'm flat broke after paying my bills.

basic

She can't go out tonight because she's flat broke.

basic

If I lose my job, I'll be flat broke.

basic

After that vacation, we were flat broke until payday.

natural

"Let's eat out tonight!" "I can't, I'm flat broke right now."

natural

He bought a new phone last week, now he's flat broke again.

natural