Floundering Meaning in English

word · lemma: flounder

US

UK

Definition

Struggling to move, act, or decide, often in a confused or awkward way. It can describe a person, business, or project not doing well or failing to make progress.

Usage & Nuances

'Floundering' is informal and commonly describes people or things failing to make progress. Often used with 'around,' as in 'floundering around.' Don't confuse with 'foundering,' which means sinking or failing completely.

• Spanish: luchando - dando tumbos - tambaleándose
• Portuguese (BR): lutando - se debatendo - cambaleando
• Portuguese (PT): a debater-se - a tropeçar - a lutar
• Chinese (Simplified): 挣扎 - 不知所措
• Chinese (Traditional): 掙扎 - 不知所措
• Hindi: संघर्ष कर रहा है - उलझन में है
• Arabic: يترنح - يتخبط
• Bengali: হিমশিম খাওয়া - বেকায়দায় পড়া
• Russian: буксовать - барахтаться - испытывать затруднения
• Japanese: もがく - 苦しむ - 行き詰まる
• Vietnamese: lúng túng - vật lộn
• Korean: 허둥거리다 - 허우적거리다
• Turkish: bocalamak - güçlük çekmek
• Urdu: پھنسنا - مشکل میں ہونا
• Indonesian: terhuyung-huyung - kebingungan

Example Sentences

She is floundering in her new job and feels lost.

basic

The company is floundering because of poor management.

basic

The project is floundering due to a lack of direction.

basic

I was floundering during the presentation and forgot what to say next.

natural

He’s been floundering ever since his best friend moved away.

natural

We were all floundering at the start of the new system, but now it’s easier.

natural