get flak

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

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

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