flak

or flack

[ flak ]

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.

flak

/ flæk /

noun

1. anti-aircraft fire or artillery
2. informal.
   a great deal of adverse criticism

Word History and Origins

Origin of flak¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flak¹

C20: from German Fl ( ieger ) a ( bwehr ) k ( anone ), literally: aircraft defence gun

Example Sentences

Wearing protective helmets and blue flak jackets that said “PRESS” in large white letters, they set up on an exposed hill a good distance away from the smears of smoke on the horizon.

From New York Times

He positioned himself as the man who wanted to take all the flak, to protect his players, and former players and pundits obliged.

From BBC

But Labour is having to learn what it’s like to take the flak.

From BBC

The Trump campaign, which said Harris’ acts reek of desperation, faced flak for statements the former president made about using the military to deal with “the enemy from within.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cullenward is considered a champion of carbon reduction, but sometimes takes flak when he questions the efficacy of some carbon market programs.

From Los Angeles Times