Crossword Genius

Depressed, shattered and penniless (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flat broke

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'penniless' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'depressed shattered' is the wordplay.
'depressed' becomes 'flat' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'shattered' becomes 'broke' (I've seen this before).
'flat'+'broke'='FLAT BROKE'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for flat broke that I've seen is " cleaned out".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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