Being flattened may spread uncertainty they say (7)

I believe the answer is:

laidout

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'being flattened' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'spread uncertainty they say' is the wordplay.
'spread' becomes 'lai' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'uncertainty' becomes 'doubt' (synonyms).
'they say' shows a homophone (sound like).
'doubt' is a homophone of 'dout'.
'lai'+'dout'='LAIDOUT'

'may' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for laidout that I've seen is " prepared for burial".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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