“Flat out”in other languages
As fast or as hard as possible.
English
French
German
EnglishFrenchGermanSame idea, different pictures
English goes flat out, perhaps like a racehorse stretched at full gallop. German goes “as far as the stuff holds”, was das Zeug hält: until the equipment gives up.
French borrowed its version from the ski slopes: tout schuss, straight down the hill without turning, from the German Schuss.
More sayings in other languages
- Beat a dead horse
- Fly off the handle
- Not see beyond the end of one's nose
- Get back on one's feet
- Get on someone's nerves
- Get out of hand
- Get the short end of the stick
- Gild the lily
- Give someone the brush-off