flounder

/ˈflaʊndər/
verb
  1. To struggle or move clumsily, as if in mud or water; to have difficulty doing something.
    • The company floundered during the economic crisis.
    • He floundered through his speech, forgetting his lines.
    • The fish floundered on the deck after being caught.
  2. To be in a state of confusion or uncertainty; to not know what to do.
    • She floundered when asked a difficult question in the interview.
    • Without clear instructions, the new employee floundered for weeks.
    • The team floundered after their coach resigned.
noun
  1. A flatfish that lives in saltwater and is commonly used as food.
    • The fisherman caught a large flounder near the shore.
    • Flounder is a mild-tasting fish that is popular in many recipes.
    • We ordered grilled flounder for dinner at the seafood restaurant.