Basic Details
Word: Floundering
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Struggling to move or do something in a confused way; having difficulty.
Synonyms: Struggling, flailing, stumbling
Antonyms: Succeeding, thriving
Idioms and Phrases
- Floundering in the deep end: To be in a difficult situation without knowing how to get out. Example: "I felt like I was floundering in the deep end when I started my new job with no training."
- Floundering like a fish out of water: To feel uncomfortable or out of place. Example: "At the formal dinner, I was floundering like a fish out of water in my jeans."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Despite his best efforts, he found himself floundering during the difficult math exam.
Example 2: The lost puppy was floundering in the tall grass, trying to find its way home.
Example 3: She was floundering with the new recipe, unsure of how to proceed with the complicated steps.
Fun Fact
The word "flounder" comes from an Old English word that means to "struggle" or "flail," giving it a rich history relating to movement and effort.
Famous Quote
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston S. Churchill
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "floundering" mean?
a) To swim smoothly
b) To struggle or have difficulty
c) To fly high
d) To run quickly
Answer: b) To struggle or have difficulty
2. Which of these is a synonym of "floundering"?
a) Succeeding
b) Flailing
c) Improving
d) Thriving
Answer: b) Flailing
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "floundering"?
a) Struggling
b) Thriving
c) Flailing
d) Stumbling
Answer: b) Thriving
4. Which sentence uses "floundering" correctly?
a) He was floundering in the water, but he swam to safety.
b) The floundering bird flew through the sky.
c) The floundering athlete won first place in the race.
d) They were floundering with excitement at the news.
Answer: a) He was floundering in the water, but he swam to safety.
5. What does the idiom "floundering like a fish out of water" mean?
a) To be comfortable in a situation
b) To struggle and feel out of place
c) To swim gracefully
d) To play sports
Answer: b) To struggle and feel out of place
