That feeling when a crossword clue just
clicks
– it’s pure, unadulterated gold for any puzzle enthusiast. But then there are the ones that make you pause, coffee growing cold, perhaps muttering to yourself in pleasant bewilderment. Today, we’re diving into one such intriguing challenge: “Mischievous child to broadcast damage (6)“.
At first glance, this particular
crossword clue
presents a fascinating blend of concepts, doesn’t it? A playful imp, a verb of transmission, and a state of disrepair, all neatly packaged into a six-letter solution. This specific
crossword clue
is a prime example of elegant misdirection and clever wordplay, a hallmark of what makes cryptic crosswords so endlessly captivating. It’s designed to tease your brain, inviting you to look beyond the obvious and delve into the delightful ambiguities of language.
When confronted with a
crossword clue
of this nature, the seasoned solver instinctively begins by identifying the core components. In the world of cryptic puzzles, one part of the clue invariably provides a straightforward definition of the answer. The other part, or often parts, forms the “wordplay” – a clever linguistic game involving anagrams, hidden words, charades, reversals, or, as we might strongly suspect with our current challenge, sound-alikes. The six-letter length of the answer is always a crucial piece of information, significantly narrowing down the field of possibilities and guiding your thought process.
Let’s zoom in on the phrase “to broadcast damage.” The word “broadcast” is a very common and potent signal within many a
crossword clue
. What does it typically imply in the intricate world of cryptic crosswords? More often than not, it’s a sly, ear-tickling hint for a homophone. This means you’re on the hunt for a word or phrase that
sounds exactly like
another. If “to broadcast damage” is indeed the wordplay mechanism here, you’re essentially asking yourself: what noun or verb for “damage” could, when spoken aloud, perfectly mimic a word describing a “mischievous child”? This is where the sheer beauty of language, with its playful ambiguities and phonetic quirks, truly shines through in a
crossword clue
. It’s about tuning your ear to the words, rather than just decoding their literal meaning on the page.
Then we turn our attention to “mischievous child.” The English language is wonderfully rich with terms for youthful exuberance, often bordering on naughtiness. From imp to urchin, rogue to rascal, there’s a broad spectrum of words that could potentially fit this description. The real intellectual puzzle lies in finding the specific one that aligns flawlessly with the sound-alike element derived from the word “damage.” This intricate, often surprising, connection between the direct definition and the ingenious wordplay is the very essence of what makes solving such a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Every single word within this
crossword clue
has a precise purpose, serving as a vital piece in the larger mental jigsaw.
The true art of solving this particular
crossword clue
lies in patiently sifting through these layers of meaning and implication. You have your clear potential definition, “mischievous child.” You have your very strong indicator for a sound-alike, subtly provided by “to broadcast.” And you have the pivotal word at the heart of the phonetic play, “damage.” It becomes a process of taking the word “damage,” contemplating its various pronunciations, and then considering which other word, fitting the description of a mischievous child, might share that very same sound. The “aha!” moment, when these disparate pieces click into place and the six letters of the answer reveal themselves, is incredibly satisfying, a small victory in the intellectual arena.
This type of
crossword clue
beautifully exemplifies why so many of us are utterly captivated by crosswords. They are so much more than mere vocabulary tests; they are finely crafted linguistic riddles, expertly designed to challenge our assumptions, tickle our brains, and delight us with their inherent cleverness. The intricate interplay between the literal and the phonetic, the seemingly straightforward definition and the cunning wordplay, culminates in a puzzle that is both delightfully frustrating and ultimately profoundly rewarding.
So, take another thoughtful look at “Mischievous child to broadcast damage (6)“. How do these elements begin to combine for you? What common crossword solving techniques do you find yourself instinctively applying here? It’s a fantastic example of a well-crafted
crossword clue
that truly tests your lateral thinking and your ear for language. Keep pondering, and most importantly, enjoy the intellectual journey of unlocking its delightful secret!
Available Answers:
IMPAIR.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 15 June 2025