floundered
verb
Definitions
To flop around as a fish out of water.
To make clumsy attempts to move or regain one's balance.
Example: Robert yanked Connie's leg vigorously, causing her to flounder and eventually fall.
To act clumsily or confused; to struggle or be flustered.
Example: He gave a good speech, but floundered when audience members asked questions he could not answer well.
To be in serious difficulty.