(flatter, flattest) not very successful because very little is being sold萧条的；不景气的；生意清淡的◆The housing market has been flat for months.房屋市场已有好几个月不景气了。◆Profits rose last year, despite flat sales.尽管去年销售情况不乐观，利润还是有所上升。(about prices, numbers, etc.) increasing only a small amount; not increasing or falling（价格、数量等）几乎不变的，无涨落的◆Shares were flat at €53.股价保持在 53 欧元。◆Staff numbers will remain broadly flat next year.员工人数明年大致不变。◆flat profits利润持平 (not used in the forms flatter, flattest不用 flatter、 flattest 的形式) (about a payment) fixed; without any extra payments or charges（款项）固定的，统一的◆She charges a flat fee for her services rather than an hourly rate.她收取固定的服务费，而不是按小时收费。 () used to describe an organization where there are fewer levels between the top and the bottom扁平的（形容组织机构中无中间管理层）◆They plan to introduce a flatter organizational structure, eliminating middle managers and increasing the need for knowledgeable workers.他们计划引进更为扁平的组织结构，减少中层管理人员的数目并增加知识型工人。➡horizontal , tall