draw flak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw flak" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe receiving criticism or backlash for a particular action or decision. Example: "The politician drew flak for his controversial remarks during the press conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Climate change will top the summit's agenda, and China's pollution record will draw flak, as will its human-rights record soon after, during Beijing's Olympics.

The Economist

The so-called oil majors such as ExxonMobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell draw flak when energy prices (and profits) jump.

Forbes

That new mandatory minimum is sure to draw flak.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And it has drawn flak.

The New York Times

Special Section (1975), on the Vichy collaborators, drew flak from self-styled French patriots.

The Guardian - Film

The bosses of Apple and Disney have drawn flak not only for their strategies but also for their pay.

The Economist

News drew flak for picture captions describing a black man as "looting" and whites as "finding" goods.

The Economist

Kalin himself, described as infuriating and inscrutable in a recent Inc.magazine profile, has drawn flak from some Etsy members.

Independent

Kingsolver speaks of a "backlash" after 9/11, when she drew flak for her essay "And Our Flag Was Still There".

The Guardian - Books

The Quick hamburger chain in France drew flak when in 2010 it considered removing pork from its menu.The benefits may outweigh the potential backlash.

The Economist

Facebook has drawn flak for a policy that bars users from adopting pseudonyms, even in countries where disclosing their real identities puts them at risk of arrest.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider that while grammatically sound, there are more frequent terms like "attract criticism"

Common error

Avoid using "draw flak" in situations where the criticism is minor or inconsequential. The phrase suggests a significant level of negative attention. If you want to describe less intense or serious situations consider "attract criticism".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw flak" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of receiving criticism or negative attention. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where actions or decisions lead to negative reactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "draw flak" is a verb phrase used to describe receiving criticism or negative attention. While grammatically correct, as supported by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral level of formality. If you want to find alternative options, consider options like "attract criticism" or "face backlash".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract criticism

Focuses on the act of receiving negative feedback.

face backlash

Emphasizes a strong, often public, negative reaction.

receive condemnation

Suggests a formal and severe expression of disapproval.

encounter disapproval

Highlights the experience of meeting with negative opinions.

invite censure

Implies an action that leads to formal criticism or reprimand.

become a target of criticism

Highlights that someone becomes the center of negative attention.

provoke opposition

Emphasizes the action that causes resistance or disagreement.

generate controversy

Focuses on creating a public debate or disagreement.

stir up animosity

Suggests the creation of strong dislike or hostility.

get heat

An informal way of saying someone is receiving criticism.

FAQs

How to use "draw flak" in a sentence?

Use "draw flak" to indicate that someone or something is receiving strong criticism or negative attention. For example, "The politician "drew flak" for his controversial statements." Note that there are other options that can be used such as "attract criticism" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "draw flak"?

You can use alternatives like "attract criticism", "face backlash", or "receive condemnation" depending on the context and intensity of the criticism.

Which is correct, "draw flak" or "attract flak"?

Both "draw flak" and "attract flak" are acceptable, but "draw flak" is more commonly used. They both mean to receive criticism, but you may also consider alternatives based on nuance.

What does it mean to "draw flak"?

To "draw flak" means to attract criticism or negative attention. It often implies that the criticism is intense or significant.