The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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flounder

verb

/ˈflaʊndə/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of flounder

To struggle or make little progress in difficult or uncertain circumstances.
"The project will flounder without clear direction or leadership."

Detailed meaning of flounder

Flounder refers to the act of It can also refer to the state of being in such a situation. The term is often used to describe a person or an organization that is in a state of confusion, uncertainty, or difficulty, and is not making progress or achieving their goals. It can also refer to a person who is struggling to find their footing or to maintain their balance, physically or metaphorically.
In a business context, floundering refers to a company or an organization that is struggling financially or operationally and is not able to achieve its goals or to sustain its growth.
In a personal context, floundering refers to someone who is struggling to make decisions or to find their direction in life.
In a fishing context, flounder refers to a type of fish that lies flat on the bottom of the body of water, where it can be caught by anglers.
It's important to note that floundering can be a temporary state and it can be overcome by finding new strategies, seeking help, or by making changes.

Example sentences containing flounder

1. The economy will flounder due to poor management.
2. The team flounder in the interview, unable to articulate their thoughts.
3. The relationship will flounder under the weight of constant arguments.
4. The startup will flounder in the competitive market, struggling to find its niche.
5. The hiker will flounder in the dense forest, losing their way.
6. The company flounder amidst internal conflicts and power struggles.

History and etymology of flounder

The verb 'flounder' has its etymological roots in Middle English and Old Norse. In Middle English, it was spelled as 'flounderen,' and it likely came from the Old Norse word 'flundra,' which means 'to hurry' or 'to hurry clumsily.' Originally, 'flounder' was used to describe clumsy or awkward movement, particularly in water. Over time, its meaning evolved to signify not just clumsiness but also the act of struggling or making little progress, especially in difficult or uncertain circumstances. The etymology of 'flounder' thus reflects the idea of awkward or unsteady movement, which metaphorically applies to situations where one is having difficulty navigating challenges or obstacles, often making little headway.

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Further usage examples of flounder

1. The students flounder in the exam, forgetting all the studied material.
2. The team flounder during the game, making numerous mistakes.
3. The cars flounder on the icy road, unable to gain traction.
4. The explorers flounder in the harsh desert, battling extreme heat and sandstorms.
5. The musicians flounder during the live performance, hitting the wrong notes.
6. The company's sales flounder due to a lack of effective marketing strategies.
7. The swimmer flounder in the rough waters, struggling to stay afloat.
8. The writer flounder with writer's block, unable to produce any meaningful words.
9. The chef flounder in the kitchen, burning dishes and creating culinary disasters.
10. The negotiator flounder in the tense negotiation, failing to reach a satisfactory agreement.
11. She began to flounder in her new job, overwhelmed by the workload.
12. Without a plan, he continued to flounder in his financial troubles.
13. The team started to flounder after losing their star player.
14. In the deep waters, the fish can flounder without proper guidance.
15. The company's profits began to flounder due to poor management.
16. He felt like he was starting to flounder in the midst of the project.
17. Without clear instructions, employees may flounder in their tasks.
18. The student began to flounder as the exam questions got tougher.
19. In uncertain times, businesses may flounder without adaptability.
20. Without support, she started to flounder in her personal life.
21. The athlete continued to flounder as injuries piled up.
22. As the competition intensified, their sales began to flounder.
23. In the complex negotiations, diplomats can flounder without consensus.
24. Without proper training, new hires may flounder in their roles.