flatline

flatline

slang To die or come very close to death. The "flat line" in question is a straight, horizontal line on an electrocardiogram or electroencephalogram indicating a lack of heart or brain activity (as opposed to the peaks and valleys displayed as a result of measuring the vital signs of a living person). The patient flatlined and we were unable to resuscitate. Time of death was 18:56.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flatline

in. to die. (From the flatness of the line on an EEG monitor when the heart stops.) It appeared that the patient flatlined during the night.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • come in(to) line
  • come into line
  • get in(to) line
  • line drive
  • get a line on
  • get a line on (someone or something)
  • get a line on someone
  • step out of line
  • all along the line
  • all along/down the line
References in periodicals archive
Accardo said flatline finishing systems featuring automatic spray, roller coaters or curtain coaters, plus in-line dryers and sanders not only provide for high production output with little labor but also allow for near 100 percent transfer efficiency.
Trends in finishing & sanding veneers
"(Rotary and reciprocating) flatline technology allows for recovery of material, high transfer efficiency, improved quality and less personnel, which leads to higher profits," said Bob Hereford of Rhodes Systems.
Refined flatline automation leads to higher productivity, savings
Add upwind flatlines to the mix, and the potential surface coverage is a circle whose diameter is 150 feet or more.
South for sailfish: a tale of two boats and a late-season cold front
With the additional purchase of a Salem Thermal fume incinerator, Wood-Mode successfully revamped its entire flatline sealer and topcoat finishing system within the last two years.
State-of-the-art finishing system doubles Wood-Mode's production, while reducing VOC levels
Their jaw-dropping performances gave the shows in 2009 and 2010 the highest ratings in X Factor history Bri went over with Simon to work on the US version in 2011 - and that's when the UK viewing figures began to flatline a bit.
Will Brian have the X FACTOR? FRIEDMAN SHIMMIES IN TO PEP UP PERFORMANCES
We are now part of Birmingham's Flatline Collective of Birmingham Urban artists.
Twins get their inspiration from 'Birmz' Local Heroes THE E'n'R TWINZ
Lottie The Strop strikes me as a girl who needs the limelight and, even if her singing career continues to flatline, I'm sure she'll turn up somewhere else.
Shari Low: Church worships herself
This latest disappointment was in line with what City forecasters had predicted after the supermarket saw sales flatline in the three months prior.
Tesco attacks 'slow' economy
Sports Record's David McCarthy believes the economic flatline in our game is an opportunity for the SFL to prosper.
Football: Old Firm deserters are killing off Scotland's smaller clubs
finally I've the first pict my fave girl ba (sorry, Daphne & Mutya, Keisha a (of previous Sugab fame) were out and a spot of shopping Hollywood's Sunse before getting readominate the ch with a new alb comeback si Flatline.
Babes in 'wood
MKS (or the Original Sugababes) revealed igin MKS (or the Original Sugababes) revealed their first track, Flatline, yesterday.
MKS (or the Original [...]
The script by Spin City's Jeff Lowell begins to flatline so early it becomes increasingly inevitable the film will peter out with barely a whimper.
High school player gets comeuppance; JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE (12A) VERDICT: **