flat on one's back

1

Sick in bed. For example, The flu has put her flat on her back.

2

Helpless, without recourse, defeated, as in I wish I could help but the recession has put me flat on my back.

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RELATED WORDS

horizontal, parallel, recumbent, supine

Nearby words

flat foot, flat head, flat knitting, flat knot, flat light, flat on one's back, flat out, flat pelvis, flat pick, flat plate, flat race

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.