flak

flak

Criticism or judgment. It is a shortening of the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning "anti-aircraft gun." Come on, I'm trying my best—stop giving me so much flak. You will definitely get flak if they find out that you were responsible for the printing error. The senator deserves to catch flak for those misogynistic remarks about his opponent.

get flak

To receive a lot of criticism, judgment, or teasing (for something). It is a shortening of the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning "anti-aircraft gun." Because I'm in a family full of surgeons, I get a lot of flak for my career in the arts. You will definitely get flak if they find out that you were responsible for the printing error. The senator deserves to get flak for those misogynistic remarks about his opponent.

See also: flak, get

get the flak

To be blamed (for something). It is a shortening of the German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning "anti-aircraft gun." Henderson causes all sorts of problems with our projects, but I'm always the one who gets the flak! You will definitely get the flak if they find out that you were responsible for the printing error. The senator deserves to get the flak! He's clearly on tape making misogynistic remarks about his opponent.

See also: flak, get

take flak

To receive a lot of criticism, judgment, or teasing (for something). Because I'm in a family full of surgeons, I take a lot of flak for my career in the arts.

See also: flak, take

take the flak

To be blamed (for something). Henderson causes all sorts of problems with our projects, but I'm always the one who takes the flak!

See also: flak, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get/take (the) ˈflak (for something)

(informal) receive severe criticism: He’s taken a lot of flak for his unpopular decisions. ♢ Why do I always get the flak when something goes wrong around here?

Flak is bullets from guns on the ground that are shooting at enemy aircraft.

See also: flak, get, take

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

flak

and flack (flæk)

1. n. complaints; criticism; negative feedback. (Originally referred to antiaircraft guns and the explosions and damage they caused. The first form is an initialism from German Fliegerabwehrkanonen = flyer defense cannons. I.e., the initial fl plus the first a plus the k.) Why do I have to get all the flak for what you did?

2. n. publicity; hype. Who is going to believe this flack about being first-rate?

3. n. a public relations agent or officer. The flak made an announcement and then disappeared.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.