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3. flak

flak

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get/take (the) flak

  (informal)

to receive strong criticism (often + from ) Channel 4 took the flak from angry viewers protesting about the show. (often + for ) She got a lot of flak for deserting her children.

See also: flak, get

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.