[Idiom] 'get a flat' same as 'get a flat tire'?

[jiamajia]

A local English channel warns drivers to set their tire pressure a bit lower since the weather is scorching hot. The announcer says this could avoid getting a flat. He does not say 'avoid getting a flat tire'.

Is 'flat' same as 'flat tire' in this case? Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

A local English channel warns drivers to set their tire pressure a bit lower since the weather is scorching hot. The announcer says this could avoid getting a flat. He does not say 'avoid getting a flat tire'.

Is 'flat' same as 'flat tire' in this case? Thank you.

Yes, it means the same thing.

Note, for info, in BrE it's spelt "tyre" (only when you're talking about the type on a car or bicycle". The verb "to tire" is spelt the same.)

 

[jiamajia]

Yes, it means the same thing.

Note, for info, in BrE it's spelt "tyre" (only when you're talking about the type on a car or bicycle". The verb "to tire" is spelt the same.)

Yes, I know 'tire' is American English. I got a service at a Tire Kingdom chain in the USA. Impressive.

 

[emsr2d2]

And I probably should have pointed out that in BrE, we normally just say "I've got a puncture".

 

[BobK]

Yes, it means the same thing.

...

:up: ... in this context, of course. If someone has just moved to a new town, and has found a job, but is living in a poky little bed-sit, when he says 'All I need to do now is get a flat' he's not talking about punctures!

b

 

[Ouisch]

In AmE, "get a flat" is immediately understood to mean a flat (or punctured) tire. For example, a person might arrive late to work and would simply explain to the boss "Sorry I'm late, I got a flat."

Flats as residences do exist in the US, but they're less common than apartments and condominiums. In the US a "flat" refers to a residence that has basically been divided in half horizontally - both upstairs and downstairs have all the amenities of a home (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc), but both are completely self-contained and separate and have their own private entrances.