flak jacket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Military / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “flak jacket” mean?
A sleeveless padded jacket worn for protection against bullets and shrapnel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sleeveless padded jacket worn for protection against bullets and shrapnel.
Any protective covering or measure, especially one that shields against criticism or attack.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical and standard in both varieties. 'Flak' is originally a German acronym (Fliegerabwehrkanone).
Connotations
Direct military/war associations in both varieties; the metaphorical use is slightly more common in US political/journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to larger military discourse in media.
Grammar
How to Use “flak jacket” in a Sentence
VERB + flak jacket: wear, don, issue, removeADJECTIVE + flak jacket: protective, heavy, padded, military-issueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flak jacket” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soldier was flak-jacketed before the patrol.
American English
- The correspondent flak-jacketed up before entering the conflict zone.
adjective
British English
- He had a flak-jacketed look about him, prepared for any verbal assault.
American English
- The flak-jacketed officials surveyed the scene.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new policy served as a flak jacket for the CEO during the shareholder meeting.
Academic
The theoretical framework acted as an intellectual flak jacket against methodological critiques.
Everyday
He wore his confidence like a flak jacket against their jokes.
Technical
The ceramic plates in the modern flak jacket can stop high-velocity rounds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flak jacket”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flak jacket”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flak jacket”
- Misspelling as 'flack jacket' (incorrect; 'flack' is a PR agent).
- Using it to refer to any jacket, not specifically protective armor.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar, but a flak jacket is specifically designed to protect against shell fragments (flak) and may not stop all high-velocity bullets, whereas 'bulletproof vest' is a broader term for vests designed primarily to stop bullets.
Its literal use is technical/military. Its metaphorical use (e.g., 'against criticism') is acceptable in general writing and speech, but is still a relatively vivid metaphor.
'Flak' is a German acronym from WWII: Fliegerabwehrkanone, meaning 'anti-aircraft cannon'. It came to mean the shells fired from such guns, and then the fragments from their explosion.
The correct spelling for the protective garment is 'flak jacket'. 'Flack' is a slang term for a publicity agent or criticism.
A sleeveless padded jacket worn for protection against bullets and shrapnel.
Flak jacket is usually technical / military / journalistic in register.
Flak jacket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæk ˌdʒæk.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæk ˌdʒæk.ɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] provide a flak jacket against criticism”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'flak' (anti-aircraft fire) and 'jacket' (something you wear). It's a jacket that protects you from flying pieces of metal (flak).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A GARMENT / ARGUMENT IS WAR (in metaphorical use).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, a 'flak jacket' most likely refers to: