flak

American  

[flak] / flæk /

Or flack

noun

1. antiaircraft fire, especially as experienced by the crews of combat airplanes at which the fire is directed.

2. criticism; hostile reaction; abuse.

   Such an unpopular decision is bound to draw a lot of flak from the press.

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flak British  

/ flæk /

noun

1. anti-aircraft fire or artillery

2. informal a great deal of adverse criticism

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Etymology

Origin of flak

1935–40; < German Fl ( ieger ) a ( bwehr ) k ( anone ) antiaircraft gun, equivalent to Flieger aircraft (literally, flyer) + Abwehr defense + Kanone gun, cannon

Example Sentences

Wine, who has been repeatedly arrested in the past, campaigned in a flak jacket, saying the race has become a "war".

From Barron's

But if New York gets hit with a snowstorm early in his administration, the new mayor could quickly take flak if the streets aren’t plowed fast enough.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, in the worst of times, do they retreat ever inwards to block out the flak?

From BBC

Apple has gotten some flak from critics on Wall Street who say the company hasn’t innovated enough in its smartphone business.

From MarketWatch

But Townsend clearly feels that the flak he has received - after his side let slip a golden opportunity to beat the All Blacks and a 21-0 lead against the Pumas - has been unfair.

From BBC