What does "Flat Broke" mean?

Completely without money Absolutely penniless, with no resources whatsoever.

How do you use "Flat Broke" in a sentence?

I'm flat broke until payday. Left the casino flat broke.

Flat Broke

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Completely without money

完全没钱

Completamente sin dinero

完全に無一文

완전히 무일푼인

Absolutely penniless, with no resources whatsoever.

一文不名，毫无资源。

Absolutamente sin un céntimo, sin recurso alguno.

まったくお金がなく、何の資源もない。

완전히 돈이 한 푼도 없는 상태.

Examples

I'm flat broke until payday.
到发薪日为止我身无分文
estoy sin un duro hasta el día de cobro
給料日まで完全に金欠だ
월급날까지 완전 빈털터리야.
Left the casino flat broke.
离开赌场时已经身无分文了
salió del casino sin un céntimo
カジノを出たときにはすっからかんだった
카지노를 나왔을 때는 완전 거덜 났어.

Pronunciation

/flæt brəʊk/

Usage Guide

Context: financial hardship

Tone: rueful

✓ Do Say

Admitting poverty
承认穷困时
para admitir que no tienes dinero
貧乏を認めるとき
가난을 인정할 때

✗ Don't Say

Formal requests
正式请求中不使用
En solicitudes formales
フォーマルな依頼の場では使わない
격식적인 요청

Common Mistakes

Very informal

Origin & History

American, early 19th century. 'Flat' intensifies 'broke.'

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes

Pop culture: Common phrase

Regional notes: Universal.

Variations

Flat brokeStone broke