Flounder
WordNet
noun
(1) Any of various European and non-European marine flatfish
(2) Flesh of any of various American and European flatfish
verb
(3) Walk with great difficulty
"He staggered along in the heavy snow"
(4) Behave awkwardly; have difficulties
"She is floundering in college"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- Any of various flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae or Bothidae.
Verb
- To flop around as a fish out of water.
- To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.
- Robert yanked Connie's leg vigorously, causing her to flounder and eventually fall.
- To act clumsily or confused; to struggle or be flustered.
- He gave a good speech, but floundered when audience members asked questions he could not answer well.
Quotations
to act clumsily
- 1996, Janette Turner Hospital, Oyster, Virago Press, paperback edition, page 136
- He is assessing directions, but he is not lost, not floundering.
Usage notes
Frequently confused with the verb founder. The difference is one of severity; floundering (struggling to maintain a position) comes before foundering, losing it completely by falling, sinking or failing.