quicksand

Meanings

1. Wet sand that appears firm but in which things readily sink, often found near rivers or coasts.
2. Anything that metaphorically pulls one down or buries one; a treacherous, risky danger

Etymology

From Middle English quyksande, from Old English cwecesand (“quicksand”), equivalent to quick (“living”) + sand. Cognate with Swedish kvicksand (“quicksand”), Icelandic kviksandur, kviksyndi (“quicksand”). More at quick, sand.