flak catcher

plural flak catchers · alternative flak-catcher · alternative flack catcher · alternative flack-catcher

1. A person whose job is to conduct public relations by shielding a more prominent person by intercepting and deflecting complaints and criticism.

   As the mau-mauing brigade heads downtown to the welfare office, they run into the chief flak catcher.

   1995, William McKeen, Tom Wolfe, page 78

   2 more examples

   But as superintendent in charge of external relationships for the RCMP — image polisher and flak catcher — Edwards had learned to become patient and thick of skin.

   2006, William Deverell, High Crimes

   We can't afford to go out there blind, hollering and acting the fool, and get to the table and don't know who it is we're talking to—or what we're going to ask them—whether it's someone with real power or just a third-string flak catcher.”

   2010, David Remnick, The Bridge