◙ verb 1. make or become flat or flatter • （使）变平；（使）变得更平 »[with obj.] Martin flattened a book out in front of him. 马丁在面前摊开一本书。 »[no obj.] after Kendal, the countryside begins to flatten out. 过了肯达尔，乡野便开始平坦起来。 »[as adj. flattened] they were dancing on the flattened grass. 他们在整平的草地上翩然起舞。 [with obj. and adverbial of place] press (oneself or one's body) against a surface, typically to get away from something or someone or to let someone pass • （为避开或让路而）使（自己，身体）紧贴 »they flattened themselves on the pavement as a bomb came whistling down. 随着一枚炸弹呼啸而下，他们全都趴在了人行道上。 [with obj.] [Music] lower (a note) in pitch by a semitone • [乐] 使（音符）降半音 2. [with obj.] raze (a building or settlement) to the ground • 把（楼房，居住区）夷为平地 »the hurricane flattened thousands of homes. 飓风把成千上万的家园夷为平地。 [informal] strike (someone) so as to make them fall down • [非正式] 击倒，把（人）打趴在地 »Flynn flattened him with a single punch. 弗林只一拳就把他打趴在地上。 [informal] defeat (someone) completely, especially in a sporting contest • [非正式] （尤指体育比赛中）彻底击败 (figurative)humiliate or depress (someone) • [喻] 羞辱，使蒙羞；使沮丧，使消沉 »the controversy has flattened everybody here, including the players. 这场争论使这儿的每个人都非常沮丧，包括队员在内。
【派生】
♦ flattener noun
【PHR V】
◘ flatten out 1. (of an increasing quantity or rate) show a less marked rise; slow down • （上涨数量或速度）减缓 2. make an aircraft fly horizontally after a dive or climb • （让飞机）改平 »he flattened out and made a fine three-point landing. 他把飞机改平后，来了一个精确的三点着陆。