across, came across as insensitive. flat out

A nationwide lockdown in India has shuttered factories and cleared streets of cars and trucks. The change is in the air.   Harish Tyagi/EPA, via Shutterstock

Across India, cities can suddenly breathe

Delhi has blue skies, and the city’s residents are stunned. The fresh air is one consequence of India’s coronavirus lockdown, the world’s biggest and one of the strictest. The measure has shuttered factories, grounded flights, evicted taxis and buses from the roads, and brought the economy to a screeching halt.

India has 14 of the 20 worst polluted cities in the world. But last week, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index reading of 38, about as good as anywhere in the world. Residents are accustomed to readings in the range of 150 — on good days.

Environmentalists are using the fresh air revelation to challenge the widely held belief that India is doomed to suffer bad air because of its geography and climate.

“Clearly, this is not something that can’t be reversed,” said Jai Dhar Gupta, an environmental activists and entrepreneur. “We’ve just reversed it.”

Related: Seismologists worldwide have been able to register big drops in vibrations levels, showing that the roar of urban life has turned into a whisper. “It’s crazy,” said the scientist in Belgium who first noticed the phenomenon.

In a statement, Mr Hartnett said: "I apologise if my remarks came across as insensitive.

"I am working flat out with my colleagues to ensure everyone's tax is correct and the new computer system will help us do this.

came across 

1. Also, come upon; run across. Meet or find by chance, as in I came across your old letters today, or He came upon her looking in the store window. or If I run across it, I'll call you. The first term dates from the 1800s. The first variant was used by Oliver Goldsmith in She Stoops to Conquer (1773): "You are to go sideways till you come upon Crack-Skull Common." The second variant was used by Mark Twain in Tramp Abroad (1880): "If I don't run across you in Italy, you hunt me up in London."
2. Also, come across with. Pay or give what is expected or demanded, as in He finally came across with some food, or The landlord wants the rent, so come across. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
3. Make a particular impression, as in He comes across as a very sincere person or Her meaning doesn't really come across; she'll have to revise the speech. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see get across; put across.

flat out

adv. Informal

1. In a direct manner; bluntly: told me the truth flat out.
2. At top speed: running flat out.