call flak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call flak" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of the expression "take flak," which means to receive criticism or backlash. Example: "The politician had to take flak for his controversial decision during the press conference."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

'We don't call flak-jackets juju.

The Guardian

Mr. Navas, a Venezuelan-born dancer and choreographer, directs a troupe called Compagnie Flak in Montreal.

The New York Times - Arts

Flying a B 17 bomber called the "Flak Alley," Bernie received the Distinguished Flying Cross for completing 33 missions over enemy territory.

Los Angeles Times

A website called newgrounds.com recently got flak for a game called Kaboom!, in which the players are Palestinian suicide bombers making their way towards America.

The Economist

The late senator Ted Stevens, of Alaska, took flak for calling the Internet "a series of tubes," but his phrase, however analog, hits on a truth that we frequently forget: there is a physical infrastructure undergirding our seemingly ethereal global network.

The New Yorker

The Colonel called it his "special flak jacket" and insisted that I shoot at him to test it, while a cameraman we had met earlier filmed the exchange for CNN.

Vice

The Colonel called it his "special flak jacket" and insisted that I shoot at him to test it, while a cameraman we had met earlier filmed the exchange for CNN. .

Vice

Back in 1995 my good friend in Fairfax, Wayne-o LaPierre, took a lot of flak for calling the ATF a bunch of 'jack-booted thugs.' Wayne-o has never been known to be as a master of the understatement, but when I think about how Dave LaGuercia was treated by the ATF, I have to say that Wayne-o was right.

HuffPost

He caught flak when he called President Obama a "snob" for encouraging students to attend higher education and claimed public universities would "indoctrinate" students to become liberal.

Huffington Post

Earlier this week, the singer caught a lot of flak after she seemingly called out Taylor Swift on Twitter for donating $250,000 to Kesha to help with her legal woes.

HuffPost

While this was technically his first full quarter as CEO, he got some flak during the last earnings call for only saying a few sentences.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the non-standard phrase "call flak", opt for established expressions like "receive criticism" or "face backlash" to convey the intended meaning more clearly and effectively.

Common error

Avoid creating new phrases based on misinterpretations of existing idioms. "Take flak" is a common expression, but reversing it to "call flak" doesn't maintain the original meaning and leads to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call flak" is an incorrect construction. The correct and idiomatic expression is "take flak", which means to receive criticism. Ludwig AI confirms that "call flak" is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call flak" is not a correct or recognized expression in standard English. The proper idiom is "take flak", which means to receive criticism. As Ludwig AI indicates, "call flak" should be avoided in formal and informal writing. Instead, consider using alternatives like "receive criticism" or "face backlash" to convey your intended meaning accurately. Be mindful of using established idioms correctly to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive criticism

Emphasizes the act of being on the receiving end of critical feedback.

face backlash

Highlights the negative reaction one encounters as a consequence of an action or decision.

draw fire

Implies attracting negative attention or harsh criticism, often in a metaphorical sense.

endure censure

Focuses on withstanding formal disapproval or condemnation.

get stick

An informal way of saying someone is receiving criticism or trouble.

be reprimanded

Highlights a formal expression of disapproval.

suffer rebuke

Emphasizes experiencing a sharp expression of disapproval or criticism.

meet with disapproval

Focuses on encountering a lack of acceptance or agreement.

encounter opposition

Highlights facing resistance or disagreement from others.

undergo scrutiny

Emphasizes being subjected to detailed and critical examination.

FAQs

What does "take flak" mean?

"Take flak" means to receive strong criticism or negative feedback. It is often used when someone faces consequences for their actions or decisions.

Is "call flak" a correct phrase?

No, "call flak" is not a recognized or grammatically correct phrase in standard English. The correct idiom is "take flak", meaning to receive criticism.

What are some alternatives to saying someone is facing criticism?

You can use phrases such as "receive criticism", "face backlash", or "draw fire" to describe someone who is being criticized.

How can I avoid misusing idioms like "take flak"?

Pay close attention to the correct usage of idioms in reliable sources and avoid creating variations that are not established in standard English. When in doubt, use simpler and more direct language to convey your meaning.