it will thrash about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will thrash about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is moving wildly or uncontrollably, often in a physical context. Example: "The fish was caught in the net and it will thrash about, trying to escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It will thrash about and swallow the juice until its body is filled with it".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And once the shark is on board it'll thrash about, of course, making the task of fixing the tag to its dorsal fin rather tricky.

The Guardian

This is markedly different from the reaction of an infant, who will thrash about in an effort to dislodge whatever is blocking its airway.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still alive despite everything, it will thrash and twitch its limbs if a predator approaches.

BBC

If a cat is in pain, it will be extremely clear - it will thrash, hiss, and fight.

WikiHow

It's like that other old adage about how if you put a frog into boiling water it'll thrash around in panic, but if you put it into a pot of water and gently heat it, eventually the frog will make the jarring discovery that it has spent 12 months writing about Tony Abbott.

The Guardian

It thrashes about in a comic-book limbo where basic laws of cause and effect don't necessarily apply.

The New York Times

As that Arab-Muslim world fails and thrashes about, it directs its anger against a distant power.

The New York Times

However, when caught this shark will thrash and snap at anything within range, and people have been bitten attempting to handle it.

Wikipedia

"I will thrash the stubbornness out of you".

The New Yorker

Brazil will thrash us if we line up this way.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it will thrash about" to vividly depict struggling motions, whether literal (a fish caught in a net) or figurative (a company flailing to stay afloat).

Common error

Avoid using "it will thrash about" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and professional language, like "it will move erratically" or "it will exhibit uncontrolled movements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will thrash about" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a future action. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes a predicted state of uncontrolled, vigorous movement. This often implies a struggle or panicked reaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

21%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it will thrash about" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe or predict uncontrolled, vigorous movement. As Ludwig AI shows, its usage spans various contexts, but is most frequently found in news and media outlets and informal settings. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it is advisable to use more precise language in formal or technical writing. Consider alternatives like "it will move uncontrollably" or "it will struggle erratically" to maintain professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's going to flail wildly

Replaces "thrash" with "flail" and "about" with "wildly", altering the descriptive intensity and flow.

it is going to writhe around

Substitutes "thrash" with "writhe" and "about" with "around", suggesting a twisting, contorting movement.

it's going to convulse violently

Emphasizes the involuntary and forceful nature of the movement by using "convulse" and "violently".

it is going to struggle erratically

Highlights the irregular and desperate nature of the movement through "struggle" and "erratically".

it will move uncontrollably

Focuses on the lack of control in the movement, simplifying the original phrase.

it is going to jerk spasmodically

Replaces "thrash" with "jerk", adding "spasmodically" to describe the abrupt, intermittent movement.

it will twitch spastically

Uses "twitch" and "spastically" to convey rapid, involuntary muscle contractions.

it's going to heave and thrash

Combines "heave" with "thrash" to suggest a forceful, rhythmic movement.

it is set to tumble chaotically

Replaces "thrash" with "tumble" and "about" with "chaotically", giving a sense of disoriented movement.

it will kick frantically

Specifies the action as "kick" and describes it as "frantically", focusing on leg movement.

FAQs

How can I use "it will thrash about" in a sentence?

You can use "it will thrash about" to describe something moving wildly or uncontrollably. For example, "If the animal is startled, "it will thrash about" in an attempt to escape."

What's a more formal alternative to "it will thrash about"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it will move uncontrollably" or "it will exhibit uncontrolled movements" for a more professional tone.

What does "it will thrash about" imply?

"It will thrash about" suggests a wild, uncontrolled, and often desperate movement. It implies a lack of coordination and a strong, potentially panicked, effort to move.

Is "it will thrash about" always used in a physical sense?

While often used to describe physical movement, "it will thrash about" can also be used metaphorically to describe something struggling in a non-physical sense, such as a company "flailing around" trying to avoid bankruptcy.