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flak Definition

flak (flak)

noun

  1. the fire of antiaircraft guns
  2. Informal strong, clamorous criticism, opposition, etc.

Etymology: Ger < Fl(ieger)a(bwehr)k(anone), lit., flier defense gun

flak Synonyms

flak

n.

  1. Antiaircraft fire

    shells, shrapnel, ack-ack*; see fire 2.

  2. *Criticism

    censure, opposition, hostility; see blame 1, objection 2.

flak Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • heavy: The heavy flak opened up, chunks of plaster fell from the ceiling.
  • light: The heavy flak batteries were still pounding away at them and they were dropping to within range of the light flak.
  • much: In particular the ninth formulation has come in for much flak.
  • German: Many aircraft were shot down by German flak as they passed overhead.
  • political: We have taken a lot of political flak for our approach.
  • accurate: Approaching the coastline they were suddenly coned in searchlights and caught in a barrage of very accurate flak.

Converse of object

  • attract: The media sector today As an industry, ' the media ' seems to attract more flak than most.
  • take: To do with taking flak from call rather than.
  • avoid: They flew night at 500ft until the enemy coast, after which they averaged just 100ft to avoid flak and fighter patrols.
  • draw: But the initiative has drawn flak from some quarters in the open source community, judging from the responses posted on Port 25 blogs.
  • get: Ever get the feeling they're getting a little flak about this?
  • receive: Glaxo raised its head above the parapet and received the flak: smaller companies will learn the lesson and lie low.

Converse of subject

  • hit: Details: Hit by flak whilst passing over the target area at 21,000 feet.

Modifies a noun

  • jacket: A flak jacket would come in much more useful!
  • cannon: Slots: 5 Weapons: 4 flak cannons and planes on deck.
  • gun: The Germans had certainly reinforced the batteries with some mobile 88 flak guns of their own.
  • battery: It appeared to be as he had been briefed with three light flak batteries on the dam wall and three more in the valley.
  • tower: Photo: the flak tower in the distance was the center of German efforts to resist the British invasion at Sword Beach.
  • vest: Use sand bags, flak vests, steel plates, or lumber to protect crew.

Noun used with modifier

  • enemy: On D Day after being struck by enemy flak he lay on the beach for eight hours.

Browse dictionary entries near flak

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  1. flak jacket
  2. flake
  3. flaky
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  5. flambé
  6. flambeau
  7. flamboyant
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  9. flame cell
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