floundering
[/ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/]
verb (present participle) / adjective
debatendo-se, lutando, cambaleando, em dificuldades
1. struggling or thrashing about in water or mud; moving clumsily
The fish was floundering in the shallow water.
O peixe estava debatendo-se na água rasa.
2. having difficulty making progress; struggling to cope or succeed
The company is floundering financially after the scandal.
A empresa está enfrentando dificuldades financeiras após o escândalo.
3. moving in an unsteady or clumsy manner; stumbling
He was floundering through the snow in the dark.
Ele estava cambaleando pela neve no escuro.
4. speaking or acting in a confused or awkward way
The politician was floundering when asked tough questions.
O político ficou confuso e desajeitado quando questionado duramente.
In both American English and Brazilian Portuguese, 'floundering' is commonly used in business and media contexts to describe companies or politicians struggling with difficulties. The metaphorical use (struggling with problems) is more frequent in modern usage than the literal physical meaning (thrashing in water).
NYC Slang
struggling, sinking, going down
Related Idioms & Phrases
floundering around - andar aos tombos, andar à toa
floundering in deep water - estar em águas profundas/em dificuldades
to flounder without direction - estar perdido/desorientado
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