flail about
verb1
To wave one's arms (or upper body) about violently, rather like a flail.
- Barry continued to shout obscenities and to flail about in a strait jacket, finally succumbing to the effects of intravenously administered tranquilizers.1969, Theodore Millon, Modern Psychopathology: A Biosocial Approach to Maladaptive Learning and Functioning:
2
Figuratively To make efforts that are strenuous but disorganized and ineffectual.