quicksand

Meaning

Noun

• Wet sand that appears firm but in which things readily sink, often found near rivers or coasts.
• Anything that pulls one down or buries one metaphorically

Origin

• From Middle English quyksande, from Old English cwecesand, equivalent to quick + sand. Cognate with Swedish kvicksand, Icelandic kviksandur, kviksyndi. More at quick, sand.