Meaning & use
taking flak
Last updated
UK/ˌteɪkɪŋ ˈflæk/
US/ˌteɪkɪŋ ˈflæk/
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Receiving a lot of strong criticism or angry opposition.
Grammar: Usually followed by 'for' or 'from': 'taking flak for the decision'.
Patterns
- taking flak for something
- taking flak from someone
The coach is taking flak for leaving his best player on the bench.
After the price rise, the company took flak from customers online.
She knew she would take flak for speaking honestly.
Common combinations
- take flak for something
- The mayor took flak for closing the library.
- take flak from someone
- He took flak from his colleagues all week.
- come under flak
- The plan came under flak from local residents.
- heavy flak
- The minister faced heavy flak over the new tax.
Synonyms and how they differ
- criticism
- Neutral and general; 'taking flak' suggests intense, repeated attacks, often in public.
- backlash
- A strong negative reaction from many people; 'flak' can come from just a few critics.
Opposites
Word family
- flak noun
- Strong criticism, or literally anti-aircraft gunfire.
- take flak phrase
- The base phrase meaning to receive criticism.
Commonly confused: taking flak or flack?
taking flak vs flack
'Flack' is an informal word for a publicity agent; 'flak' means criticism or gunfire. They sound the same but mean different things.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The fixed pattern is 'take flak for something'. 'Of', 'to', and 'on' do not follow this phrase.
Make it your own
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