flounder in the mire

If possible could someone explain the saying "flounder in the mire" to me since I'm not able to find a dutch translation of this saying anywhere.

Thanks.

[Marylin]

Originally Posted by Arnolda

If possible could someone explain the saying "flounder in the mire" to me since I'm not able to find a dutch translation of this saying anywhere.

Thanks.

It means to put a lot of time, energy and effort into something and getting nowhere.

to flounder (v.) is to act like a fish out of water...to flap around in one spot, roll about, tumble around etc.
mire (n.) is a muck, mud, soggy or wet ground.

put those two together and you can imagine something stuck in one spot trying to figure the way out of it.

ex.

I am trying to explain this to you but you won't accept my explanation. I will let you flounder in the mire then.

..the person will be still trying to figure out the answer but he will get nowhere himself.