The air crackles with that familiar thrill, doesn’t it? That moment you encounter a
crossword clue
that just…
stops
you. Not because it’s impossible, but because it’s so beautifully crafted, so elegantly deceptive, that you know you’re in for a genuine treat. Today, we’re diving into one of those gems: “Even so, always the more? (12)“.
What a brilliant piece of wordplay! This particular
crossword clue
immediately draws you in with its duality. On the one hand, “Even so” suggests a well-known conjunctive phrase, something that indicates a continuation despite a previous statement. It’s a classic setup for a definition or a synonym. But then, the intriguing second half, “always the more?”, layered with a question mark, hints at something entirely different, perhaps a literal interpretation of its components or a clever twist on the initial phrase. This is the hallmark of a truly ingenious cryptic
crossword clue
, where the surface meaning often hides a completely different path to the answer.
For seasoned solvers, a
crossword clue
like this represents the peak of the daily challenge. It’s not just about knowing vocabulary; it’s about understanding the subtle mechanics of language itself. You start by pulling apart each element. What does “Even so” really imply? What words or phrases spring to mind that mean “despite that” or “nevertheless”? Then you pivot to “always the more.” How could that phrase be interpreted literally or figuratively to align with the first part? The tension between these two seemingly disparate ideas is precisely where the magic happens.
The beauty of tackling such a complex
crossword clue
lies in the process. It’s a mental gym workout, a delightful puzzle that engages different parts of your brain. You might initially jot down a few possibilities for “Even so,” perhaps testing them against the letter count – in this case, a precise 12 letters. Then, you consider how “always the more” could act as a secondary definition, a cryptic indicator, or even a clever literal breakdown of the very words that form the answer to the initial definition. The question mark is your friendly warning, a little wink from the setter that the solution might not be as straightforward as it first appears, often indicating a playful or idiomatic interpretation.
Unpacking a
crossword clue
of this caliber requires patience, a flexible mind, and an appreciation for the setter’s artistry. You might try thinking about antonyms or literal meanings of concepts. If something is “always the more,” what is it
not
? What word implies a continuous upward trend, or a state of never decreasing? And how does that connect back to a phrase meaning “even so”? The delightful “aha!” moment, when these two seemingly unrelated parts of the
crossword clue
suddenly click into place, is the very reason we keep coming back to these challenging puzzles. It’s the moment the seemingly opaque clue transforms into a perfectly transparent answer, revealing the elegance of its construction.
Every great
crossword clue
is a miniature triumph of language. It teaches us to look beyond the obvious, to dissect phrases, and to play with words in ways we might not otherwise. This particular clue, with its compelling balance of directness and subtle misdirection, exemplifies why the daily crossword remains such an enduring and beloved intellectual pursuit. It’s a masterclass in how a few well-chosen words can lead you down a fascinating path to discovery. What approach did you take to unravel this magnificent
crossword clue
? Share your thoughts below on how you tackle these dual-meaning challenges!
Available Answers:
NEVERTHELESS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 23 October 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 18 October 2025