Flailing - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Flailing means waving or thrashing arms or limbs wildly, often due to panic, excitement, or lack of control. It can also describe ineffective or desperate efforts to achieve something.
Definition:
Waving or swinging wildly, often uncontrollably or in distress.
Synonyms:
thrashing, floundering, waving, swinging
Part of Speech:
verb, adjective
Antonyms:
controlled, steady
Common Collocations:
flailing arms, flailing limbs, flailing wildly
Derivatives:
flail, flailed
Usage Tips:
Use "flailing" to describe uncontrolled movements, often due to panic or lack of coordination.
Common Phrases:
flailing about, flailing wildly, flailing in the water
Etymology:
From Old English "flegil," meaning a threshing tool; later extended to describe erratic motion.
Examples:
- 1. She was flailing her arms to get attention.
- 2. The injured bird lay on the ground, flailing weakly.
- 3. He kept flailing in the pool until someone rescued him.
- 4. The toddler was flailing excitedly during playtime.