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Although the primary spelling of this word is f-l-a-k, it is sometimes spelled f-l-a-c-k. Flak Meaning: The word flak comes from a military word related to aircraft. It refers to antiaircraft guns or the shells or bullets fired from them. If a military aircraft flies into heavy flak, it means that it encounters weapons fire from the ground. The word flak was also lent to a type of body armor called a flak jacket or flak vest, which is designed to protect soldiers from the flying fragments, or ’frag’ from anti-aircraft artillery or any type of high explosive weaponry, including mines. These are not the same as bullet-proof vests. The word flak is most often used by the general public to refer to strong criticism or opposition. If you are getting flak from someone, they are severely criticizing you. If you take flak or take the flak, you are getting the blame for something. Here are some examples of how to use flak in a sentence: “My family gave me a lot of flak about becoming a musician, but music is my true passion.“ “I caught a lot of flak at work about my new tattoo.“ “The new president takes a lot of flak about his stance on immigration.“ “Apple deserves the flak it gets because of its anti-repair designs, not to mention its desire to stop customers from having their phones repaired by third-parties.“ “The company is taking plenty of flak about its union-blocking activities and its treatment of workers.“ You can easily understand how this word came to be used in this more general way. To be taking flak is to be taking enemy fire. It can be used to refer to any type of criticism, blame, or general abuse.
