flailing
ˈfleɪlɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of flailing - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
wild movementmoving or waving wildly
  • The flailing arms of the dancer caught everyone's attention.
swinging thrashing
2.
strugglestruggling to achieve success or control
  • The flailing company tried to avoid bankruptcy.
struggling thrashing
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Origin of flailing

Old Norse, flæja (to whip)

Examples of flailing in a sentence

  • He was flailing in the water, trying to stay afloat.
  • The flailing startup struggled to find investors.
  • His flailing attempts to lead the team were evident.

View all translations of flailing

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:agité, chancelant, ...
  2. German:fuchtelnd, strampelnde, ...
  3. Italian:agitante, in difficoltà, ...
  4. Spanish:agitado, en dificultades, ...
  5. Portuguese:esbracejando, em dificuldades, ...
  6. Chinese:胡乱摆动的, 挣扎的, ...
  7. Japanese:振り回す, もがく, ...
  8. Arabic:مُتَخَبِّط, مُتَخَبِّط, ...
  9. Hebrew:מִתְנוֹפֵף בִּפְרָעוּת, מְקַרְטֵעַ, ...
  10. Russian:размахивающий, борющийся, ...
  11. Ukrainian:розмахуючий, борючийся, ...
  12. Hindi:फड़फड़ाते, संघर्षरत, ...
flail
fleɪl

Definition of flail - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

1.
movementtr./intr.wave or swing vigorouslytr./intr.
  • She flailed her arms to get attention.
2.
helpless effortintr.struggle ineffectuallyintr.
  • She flailed against the restraints..
struggle thrash
3.
toolstr.Datedbeat using a swinging farm tooltr.Dated
  • The farmer flailed the wheat to separate the grain.
lash thrash whip

Noun

1.
weaponryDatedweapon with handle and swinging part used in combatDated
  • The knight wielded a flail in battle.
mace morning star
2.
agricultureDatedtool with handle and swinging stick for threshingDated
  • The farmer used a flail to separate the grain.
scourge thresher whip
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Images of flail

  • flail: weapon with handle and swinging part used in combat
    weapon with handle and swinging part used in combat
  • flail: tool with handle and swinging stick for threshing
    tool with handle and swinging stick for threshing

Expressions with flail

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
move energetically in an uncontrolled way
The kids flail about in the pool, splashing water everywhere.
serious rib injury making part of the chest move separately
The accident caused a flail chest, making breathing difficult.
armored vehicle with chains to clear landmines
The flail tank led the convoy through the minefield.

Origin of flail

Old English, fligel (whip)

Examples of flail in a sentence

  • He flailed his legs after slipping on ice.
  • He began to flail in the water.
  • The bird flailed its wings frantically.
  • Workers flailed the barley in the traditional manner.
  • He flailed the rice stalks to loosen the grains.
  • The museum displayed an ancient flail.

View all translations of flail

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:agiter, fléau, ...
  2. German:wild herumfuchteln, Flegel, ...
  3. Italian:agitare, flagello, ...
  4. Spanish:agitar, mayal, ...
  5. Portuguese:agitar, mangual, ...
  6. Chinese:挥舞, 连枷, ...
  7. Japanese:振り回す, フレイル, ...
  8. Arabic:لَوَّحَ, مِقْمَع, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְהָנִיף, שֵׁבֶט, ...
  10. Russian:размахивать, цеп, ...
  11. Ukrainian:розмахувати, буздуган, ...
  12. Hindi:जोर से लहराना, फ्लेल, ...
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