flat broke

Idioms  

1. Also,. Completely penniless. For example, I can't help you—I'm flat broke, or He's stone broke again. The first term dates from the mid-1800s and uses flat in the sense of “completely” or “downright.” The variant dates from the late 1800s.

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Example Sentences

Elisha might have been a celebrity to the rest of the world, but—his family reminded him—he was also flat broke.

From Literature

I knew if I bought the mug I’d be flat broke but that didn’t make any difference.

From Literature

The woman making the request, Suerkis Polanco, explained that her family was flat broke and facing eviction from their “chete” in early January.

From Seattle Times

When he was first elected in 1979, he was flat broke.

From Salon

Although Haupt was a dapper dresser, he was a big spender and flat broke.

From Literature

Related Words

• bankrupt
• exhausted
• impoverished
• indigent
• insolvent
• needy
• penniless
• poor
• poverty-stricken
• strapped