- An example of flak is the exploding ammunition that can damage a military plane when flying over enemy territory.
- An example of flak is what a CEO gets when he makes a controversial statement to the media.
- the fire of antiaircraft guns
- Informal strong, clamorous criticism, opposition, etc.
Origin of flakGerman from Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone), literally , flyer defense gun
- a. Antiaircraft artillery.b. The bursting shells fired from such artillery.
- Informal a. Excessive or abusive criticism.b. Dissension; opposition.
Origin of flakGerman from Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone) aircraft-defense gun
(countable and uncountable, plural flaks)
- Ground-based anti-aircraft guns firing explosive shells.
- Anti-aircraft shell fire.
- (figuratively, informal) Adverse criticism.
- (informal) A public-relations spokesperson.
German acronym of Fliegerabwehrkanone (“aeroplane defence cannon”). First attested 1938 as “antiaircraft gun”, 1940 as “antiaircraft fire”. Sense of “adverse criticism” attested since 1963 in American English.