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 .

Example Sentences

This necessitates lying flat on one's back in the clear narrow space between smoke and flooring, or being suffocated—a minor inconvenience as compared with others in Persian travel.

From Project Gutenberg

It was said in some book of travel that one might see twenty-four miles in any direction from Ribe, lying flat on one's back; but that was drawing the long bow.

From Project Gutenberg

S. tataqelu. tatale v. tr., to uncover, reveal. tatao v. i., to be flat, on one's back. tau 1. v. i., to wash; tau aba, to wash hands. taufi v. tr. tau 2. v. i., to be far off; be a long time; too ka tau, too ka tau, for ever and ever.

From Project Gutenberg