flail about

Move limbs erratically

To flail about is to move one's limbs wildly and without coordination, typically in panic, distress, or loss of control: She flailed about in the water, unable to swim.

The phrase extends to any frantic, disorganized effort: The company flailed about for months before finding a new strategy.

Also flail around.

thrashBeat violently or defeat utterly
scrambleMix into disorder
jerkAbrupt pulling motion
writheTwist body in pain
flounderStruggle awkwardly, or seafood

wild gestures · fish out of water · panic · in a panic · desperation · lurch · lose balance · wobble · stagger · out of control · toss · fling · falter · convulse · twitch · windmill · struggle · spasm

Opposites

movement control

flail aboutglide

Move with effortless continuity

flow · dance · pirouette · undulate · coordinate

stillness

flail aboutstand still

Cease all movement

stay put · hold steady · freeze · be still · rest

EMOTIONAL STATE (metaphorical)

flail aboutkeep one's head

Remain calm despite stress

take control · stay focused

Family

flail, about, flails, flailed, flailing, flagellum, flagellate, flagellation, flagellant

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G