じたばた

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

struggling; flailing; wriggling

Describes physical, often desperate, movement of limbs or body, like kicking and thrashing about. Commonly used with する or と.

• 捕つかまった魚さかながじたばたと暴あばれている。

  The caught fish is flailing around wildly.

• 子こ供どもが床ゆかに寝ね転ころんでじたばたしていた。

  The child was lying on the floor, kicking and struggling.

noun or participle which takes 'suru', adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

panic; make a fuss; make a scene

Figurative use: to become agitated, lose composure, or react frantically to a situation. Often implies a loss of calm or overreaction.

• 試し験けんの前ぜん日じつにじたばたしても遅おそい。

  It's too late to panic the day before the exam.

• 彼かれは小ちいさなミスでじたばたする癖くせがある。

  He has a habit of making a fuss over small mistakes.