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fuchteln

to wave arms about, to flail

verb FOOKH-teln Rare
Body & Health Movement

Usage Note

fuchteln describes wild, uncontrolled waving of the arms or hands — flailing to attract attention, waving something away, or gesturing frantically. It has a somewhat undignified or comic quality. Mit den Armen fuchteln is the typical construction.

Examples

"Er fuchtelte wild mit den Armen, um den Taxifahrer auf sich aufmerksam zu machen."

Natural Translation

He flailed his arms wildly to attract the taxi driver's attention.

Literal Translation

He flailed wildly with the arms, to the taxi-driver on himself attentive to make.

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