flak
noun
[ flak ]
• strong criticism.
• "you must be strong enough to take the flak if things go wrong"
Similar:
criticism,
censure,
disapproval,
disapprobation,
hostility,
complaints,
castigation,
condemnation,
denunciation,
opprobrium,
obloquy,
calumny,
calumniation,
execration,
excoriation,
vilification,
abuse,
revilement,
lambasting,
brickbats,
knocking,
panning,
slamming,
tongue-lashing,
a bad press,
stick,
verbal,
slagging off,
slagging,
• anti-aircraft fire.
Origin:
1930s (in flak (sense 2)): from German, abbreviation of Fliegerabwehrkanone, literally ‘aviator-defence gun’.
