to thrash about
1
6.1
- phrasal verb
- /θræʃ əˈbaʊt/
:
debatear
- Often he or she is in a condition of delirium and thrashes about may even try to escape.
- kicked and thrashed about
- started to thrash about
- thrashed about in the water
Examples
-
Phyrra thrashed about, her eyes wide with terror.
Fiction book (1992) -
Finally, she leaps into bed, thrashing about as if possessed.
Fiction book (1998) -
I can see Maurice thrashing about in there.
-
Michael resisted, thrashing about and acting crazy.
Fiction book (2001) -
In terror, growing weak and dizzy, Bakht thrashed about on the ground, trying to get away.
Fiction book (1998) -
Quaid shouts and thrashes about in the chair, violently struggling to break the straps that hold him down.
Fiction book (1990) -
"He's on heavy-duty muscle relaxants, but when it starts to wear off, he thrashes about uncontrollably.
Fiction book (2002) -
In fear of the dark, the child thrashed about in his bed, calling for his parents.
-
The fish thrashed about on the deck, desperately trying to escape before it was put back into the water.
-
As the storm raged outside, the dog thrashed about in its crate, frightened by the loud thunder.
Synonyms
99
3.4
To move or swing quickly in a sudden way like a flag
94
1.4
To move about in a violent or restless way
60
3.9
To move something quickly from side to side
24
5.8
Move or swing violently without control
9
6.8
To move suddenly and violently to try to throw someone off
8
7.8
Shake hard and without control because of illness, a strong feeling, or a hit
6
7.6
To hit someone or something many times violently
1
7.0
To move your arms and body wildly or act in a messy way without success
1
7.9
Make quick, wild movements because you are afraid or in pain
1
8.9
Move violently without control, often by kicking when hurt
To move or shake your body suddenly and violently
Antonyms
How Violent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'thrash' already conveys uncontrolled flailing and 'about' adds the sense of moving around, so the combined meaning 'move or twist in a violent and uncontrolled way' is directly derivable from the parts. This verb + particle composition is a common, transparent pattern in English (and in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.
Etymology
Thrash about comes from the strong image of a person or animal making wild movements to get free: thrash once meant to hit or be hit, and about shows moving all around. That's why it means 'to move or twist in a violent and uncontrolled way'.