1 B2 neutral
To move the body wildly and uncontrollably, usually due to pain, fear, or distress.
"The fish thrashed about desperately after being pulled from the water."
inseparable
thrash about
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move in a wild, uncontrolled, or violent way, often out of pain, panic, or distress.
In plain English
To move your body in a wild, uncontrolled way, like when you're scared, hurt, or upset.
What does "thrash about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To move restlessly and violently while sleeping or when in an anxious or distressed state.
"He was thrashing about in bed, clearly in the grip of a terrible nightmare."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To beat or whip oneself in multiple directions.
Actually means
To move your body in a wild, uncontrolled way, like when you're scared, hurt, or upset.
Usage tip
Also appears as 'thrash around'. Common in descriptions of animals, people in pain, or people having nightmares. The preposition 'about' can often be replaced by 'around' with no change in meaning. More common in British English.
Words that pair with "thrash about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wildly violently pain nightmare water arms
How to conjugate "thrash about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
thrash about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
thrashes about
he/she/it
Past simple
thrashed about
yesterday
Past participle
thrashed about
have + pp
-ing form
thrashing about
continuous
Hear "thrash about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "thrash about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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