flat spot
Britishnoun
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engineering a region of poor acceleration over a narrow range of throttle openings, caused by a weak mixture in the carburettor
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any narrow region of poor performance in a mechanical device
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
His one-stop will be opposite to everyone else, he doesn't want to start locking up because he could pick up a flat spot and compromise your performance for that long run.
From BBC • May 4, 2024
Some mountaineers have asked why Mr. Ravichandran was found on his own on the Balcony, a small flat spot near the summit.
From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023
But in more severe cases, a flat spot can become a permanent part of the tire and it will need to be replaced.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022
It stands below the dam on that flat spot the stream carved before it took its present course down the mountain.
From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
