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.
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.