If something is floundering, it has many problems and may soon fail completely. What a pity that his career was left to flounder The economy was floundering. = founder
any of various European and non-European marine flatfish flesh of any of various American and European flatfish behave awkwardly; have difficulties; "She is floundering in college
If you flounder in water or mud, you move in an uncontrolled way, trying not to sink. Three men were floundering about in the water. flounder flounders a type of small fish that you can eat. Any of about 300 species of flatfishes (order Pleuronectiformes). When born, the flounder is bilaterally symmetrical, with an eye on each side, and it swims near the sea's surface. After a few days, it begins to lean to one side, and the eye on that side migrates to what eventually becomes the top side. With this development comes changes in bones, nerves, and muscles, and the underside loses its colour. As an adult, the flounder lives on the sea bottom with the eyed side on top
disapproval If you say that someone is floundering, you are criticizing them for not making decisions or for not knowing what to say or do. Right now, you've got a president who's floundering, trying to find some way to get his campaign jump-started I know that you're floundering around, trying to grasp at any straw. = dither
To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce
There are many varieties of flounder around the world In the U S this category includes the Atlantic fluke, gray sole, Pacific petrale sole, rex sole, and sand dab All of these are flatfish with both eyes on one side They can be purchased either whole or as fillets They are all mild tasting and should be cooked with attention to their delicate structure