flat on one's back: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Internationalneutralliteral
  • Lying face upward on one's back; in a supine position, often used to describe a physical posture.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After the long hike, Mike lay flat on his back, staring up at the clear blue sky.

    After the long hike, Mike lay flat on his back, staring up at the clear blue sky.

  • The yoga instructor told us to lie flat on our backs for the relaxation pose.

    The yoga instructor told us to lie flat on our backs for the relaxation pose.

  • She was found flat on her back in the garden, enjoying the warm sunshine on her face.

    She was found flat on her back in the garden, enjoying the warm sunshine on her face.

  • During the meditation session, he stayed flat on his back to calm his mind and body.

    During the meditation session, he stayed flat on his back to calm his mind and body.

• 2.

  Internationalidiomaticformal
  • Without recourse or means of action; helpless, defenseless, or unable to resist or respond.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After the scandal broke, the company was flat on its back with no way to recover quickly.

    After the scandal broke, the company was flat on its back with no way to recover quickly.

  • When the unexpected audit came, they were caught flat on their backs, unable to respond properly.

    When the unexpected audit came, they were caught flat on their backs, unable to respond properly.

  • If you leave your defenses down, you'll be flat on your back when the opposition attacks.

    If you leave your defenses down, you'll be flat on your back when the opposition attacks.