flatline

verb

flat·​line ˈflat-ˌlīn 

flatlined; flatlining; flatlines

intransitive verb

1

a

: to register on an electronic monitor as having no brain waves or heartbeat

b

: die

2

a

: to be in a state of no progress or advancement

b

: to come to an end

flatliner noun

Synonyms

• check out
• conk (out)
• croak [slang]
• decease
• demise
• depart
• die
• drop
• end
• exit
• expire
• fall
• go
• kick in [slang]
• kick off [slang]
• part
• pass (on)
• pass away
• peg out [chiefly British]
• perish
• pop off
• step out
• succumb

Examples of flatline in a Sentence

the patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline before the night was over

Recent Examples on the Web

Robert Bosch, the struggling German industrial giant undertaking a massive overhaul of its workforce, has doubled down on cost-saving efforts by reducing the pay and working hours of thousands more employees in a sign of the plight faced by German companies amid the country’s flatlining economy. —Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 25 Nov. 2024

The crisis comes at a critical juncture for Germany, with a flatlining economy, aging infrastructure, and an unprepared military. —Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024

But the charts could alert a technician that when this name flatlines, its shares usually suffer a funk, and tank in the days or weeks ahead. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024

Diaby’s play flatlined last season and Villa happily took around £50million ($65m). —Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

flatline

intransitive verb

flat·​line ˈflat-ˌlīn 

flatlined; flatlining

1

: to register on an electronic monitor as having no heartbeat or brain waves : to experience cessation of heart contractions or brain wave activity as indicated by a flat line on a electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram

I flatlined on the operating table, but Dr. Bunsom managed to revive me.

—Alison Wright, Yoga Journal

He used to be ill quite a bit as a younger child, and his heart flatlined four times before he was 6.

—Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World

2

: die entry 1

But just because death is expected doesn't mean it's any less depressing when the patient finally flatlines.

—Phil Taylor, Sports Illustrated