flail about
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To wave one's arms (or upper body) about violently, rather like a flail.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Barry continued to shout obscenities and to flail about in a strait jacket, finally succumbing to the effects of intravenously administered tranquilizers.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To make efforts that are strenuous but disorganized and ineffectual.
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
cố gắng mạnh mẽ nhưng không tổ chức và không hiệu quả
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “flail about” mean?
To wave one's arms (or upper body) about violently, rather like a flail.
Is “flail about” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.