thrash about
To move or flail about restlessly, wildly, or violently. The poor kid is in such pain with his toothache that he's been thrashing about in bed all night. The fox thrashed about trying to get free from the trap.
thrash about
Also, thrash around. Move wildly or violently, as in He thrashed about all night, unable to sleep, or The fish thrashed around on the dock, so Meg threw it back in the water. [Mid-1800s]