flounder

/ˈflaʊndə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflaʊndər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflau̇n-dər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈflaʊn.dər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflaʊn.dɚ/ (ame, ipa)

flounder — verb

  • flounderpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • floundershe / she / it
  • flounderedpast simple
  • floundering-ing form

1. to cope badly in a difficult situation, making little progress because you feel

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to cope badly in a difficult situation, making little progress because you feel unsure what to do, say, or try next

例句

Baraka floundered during the live interview when the reporter challenged his numbers.

flounder when you cannot answer clearly

The small charity floundered after its main donor suddenly pulled out.

flounder when a plan loses support

同義詞
  • struggle

    broader and more neutral; it does not always suggest confusion

  • founder

    stronger; it suggests collapse or complete failure rather than helpless effort

  • stumble

    often suggests a smaller mistake or short setback, not prolonged helplessness

反義詞
  • cope

    to deal with the situation successfully enough to continue

  • manage

    to handle the difficulty and keep things under control

文法句型

flounder in [activity/situation]

flounder when + clause

用法筆記

Common with situations such as meetings, interviews, projects, or practical tasks. It suggests confusion and poor progress together, not simply hard work.

常見錯誤

❌She floundered the answer quickly.
✅She floundered when the teacher asked for an answer.
💡'Flounder' is intransitive, so it does not take a direct object.
❌The team floundered but finished the work easily.
✅The team floundered for an hour before finding a workable plan.
💡The verb implies obvious difficulty and lack of direction.

2. to twist, kick, and push your body awkwardly as you try to move through water, m

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to twist, kick, and push your body awkwardly as you try to move through water, mud, snow, or some other soft surface

例句

Ryo floundered through the marsh after losing one boot in the mud.

flounder through mud or water

A seal floundered onto the rocks when the wave pushed it ashore.

同義詞
  • thrash

    focuses more on wild hitting or kicking movements

  • wallow

    suggests rolling in mud or water rather than trying to get free

  • struggle

    broader; it does not specifically suggest awkward motion in a soft surface

反義詞
  • glide

    to move smoothly and easily over a surface

文法句型

flounder through [mud/water/snow]

flounder in [soft ground/water]

flounder onto/across [surface]

用法筆記

Usually used for awkward physical movement in water, mud, snow, or another surface that will not support you well. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about confusion in work or conversation.

常見錯誤

❌I floundered the heavy box upstairs.
✅I struggled to carry the heavy box upstairs.
💡'Flounder' describes your own awkward movement, not an object you move.
❌The swimmer floundered in the meeting.
✅The swimmer floundered in the rough water.
💡This sense needs a physical setting such as water, mud, or snow.

flounder — noun