quicksand Definition
- 1loose wet sand that sucks in anything resting on or falling into it
- 2a situation that is dangerous and difficult to escape from
Using quicksand: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "quicksand" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The hiker got stuck in the quicksand.
Example
The company is sinking in a financial quicksand.
Example
Her addiction to drugs was like quicksand, pulling her deeper and deeper into trouble.
quicksand Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with quicksand
to become trapped in a difficult or dangerous situation that is hard to escape from
Example
The company is sinking in quicksand, with no clear path to recovery.
a situation where bureaucratic processes are so complex and slow that they hinder progress or change
Example
The project was delayed by the quicksand of bureaucracy, with endless forms and approvals needed before anything could be done.
a situation where debt accumulates faster than it can be paid off, leading to financial instability and difficulty
Example
The family was sinking in the quicksand of debt, with bills piling up and no way to make ends meet.
Origins of quicksand
from Middle English 'quyk', meaning 'living' + 'sande', meaning 'sand'
Summary: quicksand in Brief
The term 'quicksand' [ˈkwɪkˌsænd] refers to loose wet sand that can trap anything resting on or falling into it. It also extends to metaphorical contexts, such as 'The company is sinking in a financial quicksand,' where it denotes a dangerous and difficult-to-escape situation. Phrases like 'sink in quicksand' and 'quicksand of bureaucracy' further illustrate this sense of entrapment.
