To move through water by propelling oneself with arms and legs; to swim.
毎朝プールで一時間泳ぐようにしている。
I try to swim for an hour in the pool every morning.
子どもたちは海で楽しそうに泳いでいた。
The children were happily swimming in the sea.
大会でクロールを泳ぐ選手たちを応援した。
I cheered for the swimmers doing the freestyle at the competition.
寒い日は屋内プールで泳ぐのが一番だ。
On cold days, it's best to swim in an indoor pool.
To make one's way through a crowd or among obstacles (metaphorical use: to 'swim' through people).
駅の改札前で人波を泳ぐようにしてホームへ向かった。
I made my way toward the platform, weaving through the crowd in front of the ticket gates.
祭りでは屋台の間を泳ぐように歩かなければならない。
At the festival you have to walk through the stalls like swimming through them.
彼は押し合いの店の中をうまく泳いで進んだ。
He skillfully made his way through the crowded shop.
To get along in life or to make one's way through society; to manage or survive socially (figurative).
彼は営業の世界で巧みに泳いで成功した。
He skillfully navigated the world of sales and succeeded.
社会に出てからは、自分なりに世の中を泳ぐ術を覚えた。
After entering society, I learned how to get by in my own way.
To totter or lose one's balance; to be unsteady (physically or sometimes figuratively).
酔って足が泳いでいるので、しっかりつかまってください。
He's drunk and unsteady on his feet, so please hold him firmly.
足元が泳いで歩きにくい路面だった。
The surface made my footing unstable and it was hard to walk.