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Glite Dictionary
heavy flak

heavy flak

1 6.5
Strong public criticism of a person or action
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : fuerte crítica
  • After announcing his decision, the mayor faced heavy flak from the city council and local activists.

Examples

  • We either pull out now or we go through some heavy flak together.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The new policy has received heavy flak from the public due to its controversial nature.

  • The company's latest advertisement drew heavy flak from consumers who found it offensive.

Synonyms

censure
vsheavy flak
  • Formal
141 7.4

A formal statement expressing strong disapproval of someone

is public intense criticism not limited to official condemnation
backlash
vsheavy flak
  • Literature
106 4.8

A strong negative public reaction to an action or change

is intense criticism focused on a person or action
harsh criticism
vsheavy flak
4 4.2

Very strong negative comments that show disapproval

is public intense reaction rather than mainly personal remarks
opprobrium
vsheavy flak
  • Formal
3 9.9

Strong public shame and criticism for doing something very wrong

is intense public criticism focused on reaction more than lasting shame
wave of criticism
vsheavy flak
1 3.3

A sudden large amount of criticism aimed at someone or something

is ongoing intense criticism rather than only a sudden surge
heavy backlash
vsheavy flak
4.2

A strong negative reaction from many people after a decision or action

is intense criticism aimed directly at a person or action
virulent backlash
vsheavy flak
  • Literature
8.1

A very strong angry reaction by many people against someone or something

is intense criticism that may be less openly hostile
slating
vsheavy flak
  • Literature
8.4

Strong public criticism of a person or work

is broader intense public criticism beyond media reviews

Antonyms

to support
∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

praise
161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Intense

heavy flak
  • Informal
1 6.5
flak
19 5.6
criticism
512 3.0

Surface Forms

heavy flak singular
heavy flaks plural

Morphology

heavy + flak

The adjective 'heavy' (marked by large amount or intensity) combined with 'flak' (hostile public criticism) yields the straightforward meaning 'intense criticism.' This is a regular adjective + noun intensification pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can predict.

Etymology

Heavy flak comes from wartime: flak was the name for gun fire aimed at planes, and heavy meant a lot of it. If a plane flew into heavy flak, it faced a strong attack, so today the phrase means 'intense criticism' or a 'strong public backlash' against someone or something.