Word
flak
US/ˈfɫæk/
UK/flˈæk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. strong criticism or complaints from people. You usually get flak when you make a decision that others do not like.
n. strong, often public criticism or opposition. Derived from the term for anti-aircraft fire, it is used figuratively in informal contexts to describe verbal attacks.
Examples
“The manager took a lot of flak for the new rules.”
“The government is catching flak from environmental groups after approving the new coal mine.”
“Despite the initial flak from traditionalists, the architect's radical redesign of the city square eventually won several international awards for its innovative use of space.”
Examples
simple
“The manager took a lot of flak for the new rules.”
contextual
“The government is catching flak from environmental groups after approving the new coal mine.”
complex
“Despite the initial flak from traditionalists, the architect's radical redesign of the city square eventually won several international awards for its innovative use of space.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'take', 'get', 'catch', or 'give'.
Real-World Examples
“Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they just kept kicking and kicking me,” Levine said from a hospital bed in Ramallah.” “I had my helmet and flak jacket on which protected me.” “But Fry - an actual traitor - came in for the most flak.” “He has previously drawn flak for his take on West African dish Jollof rice.” Etymology
Borrowed from German FlaK, short for Fliegerabwehrkanone (“anti airplane cannon”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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