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flounderto struggle awkwardly or clumsily; to have trouble doing something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to struggle awkwardly or clumsily; to have trouble doing something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈflaʊndər/

Example Sentences

  • When asked about quantum physics, I completely floundered like a fish out of water.
  • The student floundered through his presentation without any preparation.
  • My cooking skills are so bad that I even flounder when making instant noodles.

flounder

VERB

[/ˈflaʊndər/]

to struggle awkwardly or clumsily; to have trouble doing something

The new intern began to flounder during his first big client presentation.
💡 Concept

The new intern began to flounder during his first big client presentation.

The founder flounders with the sounder!
🎵 Rhyme

The founder flounders with the sounder!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈflaʊndər/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈflaʊndə/

🌳Etymology

Rootflounder

Origin

From Dutch 'flounderen' or Scandinavian origins, possibly influenced by the Old Norse 'flundra' (a type of flatfish). The verb developed from the image of a fish struggling in water.

Breakdown

Likely from 'flounder' (the fish) + -er, or directly from Scandinavian root meaning to thrash about = flounder (to struggle clumsily)

🎵Rhyme

founderpoundersounder
founder
pounder
sounder

🔗Collocations

flounder in confusion
flounder through
flounder helplessly
flounder about
fresh flounder
flounder around

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

When asked about quantum physics, I completely floundered like a fish out of water.

The student floundered through his presentation without any preparation.

😄 Fun example

My cooking skills are so bad that I even flounder when making instant noodles.

The company floundered in the competitive market.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

strugglefumblestumblefalterblunder

Antonyms

succeedexcelthrive

Related

founderstruggleconfusiondifficulty

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