drew flak

USAGE SUMMARY

"drew flak" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to attract criticism or negative attention. For example: The mayor's controversial speech drew flak from the local community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Film

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

The Economist

His latest move to close three ChildLine call centre offices – switching one to an online operation – drew flak.

The Guardian

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

Nehlen drew flak again last month when he tweeted a list of his critics and claimed that most of them are Jewish.

The Washington Post

The project drew flak from Republicans earlier this year after it emerged that Obama's administration shared information with the production team.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

And it has drawn flak.

The New York Times

The Senate Intelligence Committee has more recently drawn flak for the pace at which it is proceeding.

The Washington Post

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

The Economist

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

Independent

For precisely that reason, Mrs. Shipley has drawn flak for the op-ed since it came out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drew flak" when you want to concisely convey that someone or something faced criticism, especially in response to a specific action or decision.

Common error

While "drew flak" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "attracted criticism" or "faced disapproval" in academic or highly professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drew flak" functions as a verb phrase, where "drew" is the past tense of "draw" and "flak" refers to criticism. It indicates that a subject has attracted negative attention or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Film

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drew flak" is a valid and commonly used expression that signifies attracting criticism or negative attention. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it may be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "attracted criticism". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "drew flak" serves to inform readers about negative reactions to specific events or decisions. As with any phrase, writers should consider their audience and the desired tone when choosing between "drew flak" and its many alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attracted criticism

Focuses on the act of receiving negative feedback.

faced backlash

Highlights a strong, often public, negative reaction.

received condemnation

Emphasizes a formal or strong disapproval.

came under fire

Implies an intense and possibly sustained period of criticism.

provoked outrage

Suggests the action caused strong anger or indignation.

incited disapproval

Highlights that the action led to expressions of disagreement.

garnered disapproval

Focuses on the accumulation of negative opinions.

met with resistance

Indicates opposition or unwillingness to accept something.

sparked controversy

Highlights the generation of public debate and disagreement.

invited censure

Implies a formal expression of disapproval.

FAQs

What does "drew flak" mean?

"Drew flak" means to attract criticism or negative attention as a consequence of one's actions or statements.

How can I use "drew flak" in a sentence?

You can use "drew flak" to describe a situation where someone or something received negative feedback, for example: "The company's new policy "drew flak" from its employees."

What are some alternatives to saying "drew flak"?

Alternatives include "attracted criticism", "faced backlash", or "received condemnation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "drew flak" a formal or informal expression?

"Drew flak" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for news articles and general writing. However, in very formal or academic contexts, a more formal alternative like "attracted criticism" may be preferred.