The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word FLAK
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
L
A
K
More clues leading to the result FLAK
- Small piece, incomplete, gets criticism
- US eccentric, not English, in ?erce row
- Criticism not entirely crazy
- Stick crumbling, the end falling off
- AA
- Eccentric earl dispensed with stick
- Criticism aimed at military aircraft?
- Criticism directed at military aircraft?
- King Alfred summarily returned fire
- Criticism that’s directed at flying machines?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Criticism/aimed at military aircraft" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case criticism/aimed at military aircraft = flak.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FLAK mean?
FLAK noun- Ground-based anti-aircraft guns firing explosive shells.
- Anti-aircraft shell fire.
- Adverse criticism.
- A public-relations spokesperson.