Quicksand: meaning, definitions and examples
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quicksand
[ ˈkwɪksænd ]
dangerous ground
Quicksand is a wet, soft, spongy, and extremely treacherous ground that appears solid when it is not. It consists of sand, clay, and saltwater, and can suck in anything that steps on it.
Synonyms
bog, mud trap, sinking sand
Examples of usage
- Be careful when walking near the river, there might be quicksand.
- The explorers got trapped in quicksand while crossing the desert.
difficult situation
Quicksand is also used metaphorically to describe a difficult or inescapable situation that seems to get worse the harder one tries to get out of it. It is often associated with being trapped or overwhelmed.
Synonyms
dilemma, predicament, quagmire
Examples of usage
- She felt like she was sinking in quicksand with all the work piling up.
- The company is in financial quicksand and struggling to stay afloat.
Translations
Translations of the word "quicksand" in other languages:
🇵🇹 areia movediça
🇮🇳 धंसने वाली रेत
🇩🇪 Treibsand
🇮🇩 pasir hisap
🇺🇦 пливун
🇵🇱 ruchome piaski
🇯🇵 流砂 (りゅうさ)
🇫🇷 sables mouvants
🇪🇸 arenas movedizas
🇹🇷 bataklık kumu
🇰🇷 유사 (流砂)
🇸🇦 رمال متحركة
🇨🇿 tekutý písek
🇸🇰 tekutý piesok
🇨🇳 流沙 (liúshā)
🇸🇮 premični pesek
🇮🇸 kviksandur
🇰🇿 жылжымалы құм
🇬🇪 მოძრავი ქვიშა
🇦🇿 sürüşkən qum
🇲🇽 arenas movedizas
Word origin
The word "quicksand" originated from the Middle English term "quick" (living, moving) and "sand", referring to sand that behaves like a fluid. Quicksand has been a popular subject in literature and films, often symbolizing danger, entrapment, or the struggle to escape. While real quicksand is not as common or deadly as portrayed in fiction, it continues to capture the imagination of many.
See also: quick, quicken, quickening, quickly, quickness.