There are those moments when a single crossword clue stops you dead in your tracks. You’ve sailed through the rest of the grid, confident in your wordplay prowess, only to be confronted by a linguistic riddle that feels like it’s laughing at you from the page. It’s not just a blank space; it’s a challenge, an invitation to delve deeper into the fascinating world of cryptic crosswords. For many avid puzzle solvers, cracking a truly ingenious crossword clue is the highlight of their day, a small but mighty victory against the cunning minds of clue setters.
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on just such a brain-bending entry:
“Left on plate? You, say! Tidy up! (7)“
. Take a moment to read it aloud. Ponder its multiple layers. This isn’t your average straightforward definition; this is a masterclass in cryptic clue construction, designed to stretch your grey matter and tickle your linguistic fancy. When faced with a cryptic crossword clue like this, the key is to remember that every single word, every punctuation mark, is there for a reason. There’s a carefully crafted definition lurking within, typically at the beginning or end, and then there’s the wordplay, which guides you to the answer through clever devices like anagrams, reversals, hidden words, or, in this case, a potential homophone.
Let’s dissect this particular crossword clue without giving away the satisfying solution. The first part, “Left on plate?”, immediately conjures images of dinner scraps or perhaps something literally remaining behind. Is this the definition? Or is it part of a larger wordplay mechanism? In the realm of cryptic crosswords, appearances can be deceiving, and what seems like a simple phrase can often hide a deeper, more abstract meaning. The ambiguity is part of the fun, compelling you to think beyond the obvious. This segment of the crossword clue could be subtly hinting at a state of being, an outcome, or perhaps even a more abstract concept related to what remains. The beauty of a well-crafted cryptic crossword clue is its ability to lead you down several plausible paths, only one of which ultimately leads to the correct destination.
Then we hit “You, say!”. This is a classic indicator of a homophone. “Say!” or “we hear” or “reportedly” are all common signals that a part of the answer
sounds like
something else. So, what could sound like “you”? This element alone opens up a myriad of possibilities, forcing your mind to consider phonetic similarities rather than just semantic ones. It’s a delightful twist that adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate crossword clue. Many a puzzle solver has been stumped by a seemingly simple “say” clue, only to have an “aha!” moment when the right sound-alike clicks into place. The challenge here is not just identifying the homophone, but ensuring it fits seamlessly with the other components of this multifaceted crossword clue.
Finally, we arrive at “Tidy up!”. This imperative verb could be doing several things. Is it part of the definition, suggesting something is being organized or made neat? Or, more likely in a cryptic crossword clue of this caliber, is it an anagram indicator, signaling that the letters of a certain word or phrase need to be “tidied up,” or rearranged, to form part of the solution? The power of a well-chosen anagram indicator lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate into the surface reading of the clue while simultaneously providing a vital instruction for the solver. It’s a testament to the clue setter’s skill when a phrase like “tidy up” can both make perfect sense in a sentence and subtly guide you towards a letter rearrangement. And, of course, the ever-present “(7)” tells us precisely how many letters we’re looking for, acting as the final piece of the structural puzzle, ensuring all the components fit together perfectly to form one cohesive word.
This “Left on plate? You, say! Tidy up! (7)” crossword clue is a prime example of the elegance and ingenuity that makes daily crosswords such an enduring and rewarding pastime. It’s a mini-story, a linguistic game, and a mental workout all rolled into one compact phrase. Solving it isn’t just about finding a word; it’s about appreciating the cleverness behind its construction, understanding the interplay of its parts, and feeling that satisfying click when all the pieces fall into place.
What are your initial thoughts on this challenging crossword clue? Does it spark any immediate ideas? Share your first impressions or any similar clues that have given you pause. The journey to deciphering a cryptic crossword clue is often as rewarding as the solution itself, and clues like this one remind us why we keep coming back for more of the daily linguistic gymnastics. Keep puzzling, and keep enjoying the intricate dance of words and wit that these remarkable puzzles offer.
Available Answers:
UNEATEN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 14 June 2025