Flak: meaning, definitions and examples
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flak
[ flรฆk ]
military defense
Flak refers to anti-aircraft fire or the shells used in such artillery. Originally developed in Germany, the term has become synonymous with the actions taken to defend against aerial attacks. This type of fire is typically characterized by a series of bursts around an aircraft to create a defensive perimeter. In a broader context, it can also refer to criticism or opposition, often in reference to public figures or policies.
Synonyms
anti-aircraft fire, criticism, crossfire.
Examples of usage
- The bomber had to navigate through heavy flak over the target area.
- Pilots are trained to avoid flak during their missions.
- The politician received a lot of flak for his recent comments.
to criticize
To flak someone means to criticize or reprimand them, often unfairly or harshly. This usage reflects the idea of firing at someone, figuratively speaking, as in shooting down their arguments or actions. In media and public discourse, flak can refer to backlash or negative feedback directed at individuals, organizations, or their actions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The critics flaked the movie for its lack of originality.
- After the announcement, the CEO was flaked by various news outlets.
- He was flaked for his controversial stance on social issues.
Translations
Translations of the word "flak" in other languages:
๐ต๐น flak
๐ฎ๐ณ เคซเฅเคฒเฅเค
๐ฉ๐ช Flak
๐ฎ๐ฉ flak
๐บ๐ฆ ัะปะฐะบ
๐ต๐ฑ flak
๐ฏ๐ต ใใฉใใฏ
๐ซ๐ท flak
๐ช๐ธ flak
๐น๐ท flak
๐ฐ๐ท ํ๋ฝ
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุงู
๐จ๐ฟ flak
๐ธ๐ฐ flak
๐จ๐ณ ้ซๅฐ็ฎ
๐ธ๐ฎ flak
๐ฎ๐ธ flak
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะปะฐะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แคแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ flak
๐ฒ๐ฝ flak
Etymology
The word 'flak' originates from the German word 'Fliegerabwehrkanone' (meaning 'flying defense cannon'), during World War II. It was initially used to describe the anti-aircraft guns themselves and the shells they fired. Over time, the term was abbreviated to 'flak' and became widely adopted in English to refer to any anti-aircraft fire, particularly in an air combat context. In the post-war era, the term evolved further, entering informal language to signify harsh criticism or scrutiny of someone or something, reflecting the earlier metaphor of being 'under fire' from criticism. The dual meaning has maintained its relevance in both military jargon and modern conversational English, illustrating the dynamic nature of language and how words can shift and adapt based on their context.
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #26,665, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
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