Flail Meaning in English
word
Definition
To wave or move something, especially your arms or legs, quickly and wildly. It can also mean to struggle without success or to lose control.
Usage & Nuances
"Flail" is usually used in physical contexts (e.g., "flail your arms"). It can be literal or metaphorical (as in "flail about" when confused or failing). Informal; not typically used for gentle movement. Not to be confused with "fail."
Spanish: agitar (con fuerza) - flaquear (figurado)Portuguese (BR): agitar (com força) - debater-sePortuguese (PT): agitar (com força) - debater-seChinese (Simplified): 乱动 - 挥舞Chinese (Traditional): 亂動 - 揮舞Hindi: बेतहाशा घुमाना - फड़फड़ानाArabic: يُلوّح بعنف - يتحرك بعشوائيةBengali: ছোঁড়া - নাড়ানো (উন্মত্তভাবে)Russian: махать - размахивать - метатьсяJapanese: 振り回す - ジタバタするVietnamese: vung vẩy - vùng vẫyKorean: 마구 흔들다 - 허우적거리다Turkish: çırpınmak - savurmakUrdu: ہلانا (شدت سے) - ہاتھ پاؤں مارناIndonesian: mengibaskan - mengayunkan - meronta
Example Sentences
The boy began to flail his arms in the water.
basic
She tried to flail free when caught.
basic
The bird started to flail its wings after falling from the nest.
basic
He flailed around in the dark, searching for the light switch.
natural
Don’t just flail—focus and try again.
natural
She looked like she was flailing during the dance, but she was just improvising.
natural