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Flailing: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘
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flailing

 

[ fleษช.lษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

physical movement

Flailing refers to the action of waving or swinging something about in an uncontrolled manner. It often conveys a sense of desperation or lack of control, similar to how a person might flail their arms in panic. This term can also describe situations where someone attempts to gain someone's attention or express frustration through erratic movements. Flailing is particularly associated with chaotic actions, often resulting in a lack of direction or intention.

Synonyms

gesture, swinging, thrashing, waving.

Examples of usage

  • She was flailing her arms while trying to signal for help.
  • The fish was flailing on the deck of the boat.
  • He was flailing about wildly during the dance.
  • The child started flailing when he was denied ice cream.

Translations

Translations of the word "flailing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น agitando

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเคฟเคฒเคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช herumfuchteln

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menggoyangkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐั…ะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ machaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆŒฏใ‚Šๅ›žใ™

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท agiter

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ agitar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sallamak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํœ˜๋‘๋ฅด๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‡ุฒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรกvat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mรกvaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‘†ๅŠจ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mahniti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veifa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัั–ะปะบั–ะปะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒฃแƒฉแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รงฤฑrpฤฑnmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ agitar

Etymology

The term 'flail' comes from the Old English word 'flรฆgel,' which means 'to swing or wave.' It originally referred to a tool that was used for threshing grainโ€”a swinging movement was involved in separating the grain from the chaff. Over time, the meaning broadened to include any uncontrolled or erratic swinging motion. The figurative use of the term emerged in the context of describing actions that lack purpose or control, often reflecting a sense of urgency or panic. The evolution of 'flailing' mirrors human experience, conveying emotions such as fear, frustration, or excitement. Today, it can describe both physical actions and metaphorical situations, such as flailing in oneโ€™s career or personal life.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,106, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.