ack-ack
Americannoun
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antiaircraft fire.
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antiaircraft arms.
noun
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anti-aircraft fire
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( as modifier )
ack-ack guns
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anti-aircraft arms
Etymology
Origin of ack-ack
1935–40; for A.A. (abbreviation of a(nti) a(ircraft) ) as said by British signalmen referring to sense 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The surface vessels were throwing up a tremendous barrage of ack-ack fire.”
From New York Times ● Nov. 13, 2022
Tales are legion of journalists prepared with probing, deeply researched questions who find themselves confronted with answers consisting of “Yeah,” “No” or “I don’t know” spit back at them like ack-ack fire.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2015
Jolie begins with a superbly choreographed B-24 raid over the Pacific — pellucid morning sky, heavenly choir, the ack-ack of enemy fire — with Louie as the bombardier.
From Time ● Dec. 23, 2014
U.S. troops on the ground opened up with ack-ack, trying to get the 190.
From Time Magazine Archive
The ack-ack guns make so much noise you can’t hear your own voice.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
