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Quicksand - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Quicksand is a wet, loose mixture of sand and water that traps anything sinking into it. It appears solid but behaves like a liquid when disturbed, making escape difficult.

quicksand

/ˈkwɪkˌsænd/ /ˈkwɪkˌsænd/

Definition:

Loose, wet sand that yields under weight and can trap objects or people.

Synonyms:

Mire, bog, morass, swamp

Part of Speech:

Noun

Antonyms:

Solid ground, firm footing

Common Collocations:

Sink into quicksand, trapped in quicksand, struggle in quicksand

Derivatives:

Quicksandy (adj.), quicksanded (v.)

Usage Tips:

Use "quicksand" metaphorically for situations that trap or overwhelm someone gradually.

Common Phrases:

Stuck in quicksand, sinking like quicksand, quicksand of debt

Etymology:

From Old English "cwic" (living) + "sand," referring to sand that seems alive as it shifts.

Examples:

  • 1. The hiker accidentally stepped into quicksand and panicked.
  • 2. Quicksand can appear solid but collapses under pressure.
  • 3. She felt like she was in emotional quicksand after the breakup.
  • 4. The movie scene showed the hero escaping deadly quicksand.

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