"A flat no" In this example "our answer must be a flat no", what does "flat" mean? This is a passage from the book "The Intelligent Investor" [...] "This brings us to the next logical question: Is th

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"A flat no" In this example "our answer must be a flat no", what does "flat" mean? This is a passage from the book "The Intelligent Investor" [...] "This brings us to the next logical question: Is there a persuasive reason to believe that common stocks are likely to do much better in future years than they have in the last five and one-half decades? Our answer to this crucial question must be a flat no". [...]

Jun 21, 2020 9:09 PM

Answers · 11

A "flat no" is a no, and it is not even up for discussion. Think of how we sound in English when we say "NO" how flat that sounds when we really mean it. Not a raised "nooOOOoo" ♪ that sort of has a sing-songy sound to make it sound like it's not-really-a-no. It's a serious NO. Flat, no cute up-tone. Just NO. A flat NO. :)

June 22, 2020

It is an English idiom. The expression "a flat no" means there is no room for negotiation or appeal.

June 21, 2020

it's a useful phrase to say "an absolute no" - like somebody immediately decided no, and they won't change their mind.

June 21, 2020

Thanks again, Tyrone! It helps a lot! :)

June 22, 2020

In context it would mean: they are completely unconvinced stock returns will be better in future than it was in the past (at the time they were writing). This makes sense and I believe was borne out in fact, average annual returns on US stocks have been falling for several decades - hope that helps.

June 22, 2020

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