Hello, fellow word sleuths and puzzle enthusiasts! Another day dawns, bringing with it another delightfully perplexing challenge from the grid. Today, we’re zeroing in on a particularly clever
crossword clue
that, at first glance, might send you down a winding rabbit hole. But fear not, for understanding the
type
of
crossword clue
it is, is half the battle won.
The specific
crossword clue
we’re dissecting is:
“Some consternation is strict (5)“
.
Isn’t that a beauty? It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that epitomizes the setter’s genius for misdirection. Your initial instinct, like many seasoned solvers, might be to look for synonyms of “consternation” or “strict,” or perhaps even an anagram. You might consider the juxtaposition of the two words, searching for a deeper, more abstract meaning. But this, my friends, is precisely where the setter wants you to go. And it’s not where the answer resides for this type of
crossword clue
.
This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of what we call a ‘hidden word’ or ’embedded’ clue. These are among the most satisfying discoveries in any grid because the solution isn’t cleverly disguised by wordplay or obscure definitions; it’s literally sitting there, in plain sight, waiting for a keen eye to spot it. The answer is directly contained within the string of letters presented in the clue itself.
The key to unlocking such a
crossword clue
often lies in recognizing certain indicator words. Phrases like “some,” “part of,” “contains,” “found in,” “a bit of,” “subset of,” or even implications like “within” or “is in” are typically huge red flags that scream “hidden word!” In our current
crossword clue
, “Some consternation is strict,” that innocent little word “Some” is practically shouting, “Look closer! The answer is right here, nestled amongst these letters!”
So, how do we approach such a deceptive
crossword clue
? The strategy shifts dramatically. Instead of racking your brain for definitions or anagramming letters, you need to engage your visual processing skills. Take the entire phrase given in the
crossword clue
– “consternation is strict” – and treat it as a continuous string of letters. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to scan this entire sequence for a five-letter word that forms naturally within it.
Forget for a moment what “consternation” means, or the definition of “strict.” These words, while seemingly pivotal, are actually just the clever camouflage for the hidden gem. Their purpose is to create a plausible-sounding sentence that distracts you from the simple truth: the answer is a contiguous sequence of letters. It’s about seeing the forest for the trees, or rather, the word within the words.
This type of
crossword clue
doesn’t test your encyclopedic knowledge or your mastery of vocabulary. It tests your observation, your ability to think outside the conventional box of definition-based clues, and your readiness to trust the subtle signals left by the puzzle setter. The true joy comes from that “Aha!” moment when the word suddenly pops out at you, clear as day, after you’ve been looking
through
it instead of
at
it.
So, take another look at “Some consternation is strict (5)“. Run your eyes over the entire phrase, letter by letter. Can you spot that five-letter word hiding in plain sight? It’s a wonderful feeling when you do, a testament to the brilliance of a well-crafted
crossword clue
and your own sharp-eyed solving prowess. Happy hunting!
Available Answers:
STERN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 17 October 2025