Hello fellow word warriors and puzzle enthusiasts! There are days when a particular
crossword clue
lands on your grid, seemingly innocuous, and yet it plants itself firmly in your mind, refusing to budge until every letter clicks into place. It’s those delightful brain-teasers that keep us coming back to the daily challenge, isn’t it? Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one such intriguing
crossword clue
that recently caught my eye and, I’m sure, presented a pleasant head-scratcher for many of you: “Dad is in trouble – show contempt (7)“.
Now, if you’re a seasoned solver of cryptic crosswords, you know that the true magic lies in the duality of these magnificent linguistic constructs. Every well-crafted cryptic
crossword clue
offers two pathways to its solution: a precise definition and an intricate piece of wordplay. Our focus today, “Dad is in trouble – show contempt (7)“, is a prime example of this elegant design, inviting us to unravel its layers.
Let’s start with the more straightforward half, the definition. “Show contempt” serves as the literal meaning we are seeking. This is the bedrock of the clue, the part that ensures our eventual seven-letter answer truly fits the bill. When you think about words that mean to express disdain, scorn, or a lack of respect, a few might immediately spring to mind. But the trick, as always with a cryptic
crossword clue
, is to make sure our chosen word aligns perfectly not just with the definition, but also with the clever wordplay woven into the fabric of the clue.
And speaking of wordplay, here’s where “Dad is in trouble” really shines. This is the cryptic half, the part designed to amuse, misdirect, and ultimately guide you to the solution through a linguistic puzzle. When you see phrases like “Dad is in trouble” in a
crossword clue
, your cryptic antennae should immediately twitch. Is “Dad” a simple abbreviation like ‘PA’ or ‘POP’? Or is it hinting at something larger, perhaps a less common synonym? And what about “in trouble”? This phrase is a masterclass in misdirection. It could suggest an anagram, where letters are mixed up to form a new word. It might hint at an insertion, where one set of letters is placed ‘within’ another. It could even imply a reversal, a state of disarray, or something completely different, playing on the many nuances of the English language. This particular cryptic
crossword clue
uses a common, yet always satisfying, technique to arrive at its conclusion. The beauty of these clues lies in how an everyday phrase can, with a little lateral thinking, become a stepping stone to an unexpected word.
The challenge, and indeed the joy, of solving this kind of
crossword clue
is piecing together how “Dad is in trouble” ingeniously leads to a word meaning “show contempt.” It’s about recognizing the indicators, playing with the letters, and allowing your mind to wander down various linguistic alleys until that ‘aha!’ moment strikes. The satisfaction of cracking a
crossword clue
like this, where the wordplay is as clever as the definition is precise, is truly unmatched. It’s why we spend countless hours with our pens poised, ready to fill in the squares of our favorite word puzzles.
So, how did you fare with this one? Did you spot the ingenious connection between the troubled father and the act of showing contempt? We’re about to delve into the full breakdown of this captivating
crossword clue
and reveal the answer that perfectly bridges these two seemingly disparate phrases. Get ready for that satisfying click as all the pieces fall into place!
Available Answers:
DISDAIN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 16 July 2025