Flailing refers to frantic or desperate attempts to find a solution, often with no clear plan or direction. It can also refer to wild and uncontrolled movements, as if trying to grasp for something that is out of reach.
We could hear her but it took a lot of flailing around in the icy water and debris to find her. (biggerpockets.com)
You quickly forget the arms flailing about in front of you are not your own. (evo.co.uk)
Given that Windows 10 Mobile is kind of flailing in the wind right now, this probably isn't the best time to be jumping into the ecosystem. (windowscentral.com)