Francine
"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". [...]
2020年6月21日 21:09
解答 · 11
1
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. :)
2020年6月22日
1
It is an English idiom. The expression "a flat no" means there is no room for negotiation or appeal.
2020年6月21日
1
it's a useful phrase to say "an absolute no" - like somebody immediately decided no, and they won't change their mind.
2020年6月21日
Thanks again, Tyrone! It helps a lot! :)
2020年6月22日
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.
2020年6月22日
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