The fish thrashed a few times on the bank and then went still.
Tips
culture
Originally meant the street performances at temple fairs (庙会) where wandering martial artists would 打把势卖艺 (perform tricks and sell their skills) for coins from the crowd - a traditional form of folk entertainment.
register
Northern colloquial. The 势 here is read with a neutral tone (shi). Can also describe a fish or bird flopping desperately, or someone who fusses around without getting much done.
