Some days, the daily crossword clue just glares back at you, a seemingly impenetrable wall of words. You’ve tackled countless word puzzles, cracked challenging anagrams, and deciphered the most obscure definitions, yet occasionally a cryptic crossword clue lands with such elegant misdirection that it sends even the most seasoned solver into a delightful head-scratching frenzy. Today, we’re diving into one such gem: “Boy singer holding music’s beginning to shake (7).”
This isn’t just any crossword clue; it’s a masterclass in cryptic construction, a miniature puzzle in itself, designed to reward careful thought and a keen eye for wordplay. If you’re a fan of the cerebral workout a good cryptic crossword clue provides, you’ll immediately appreciate the layers here. For those looking to solve crossword clue challenges, understanding the mechanics of such clues is key.
Let’s break down this intriguing crossword clue, piece by delightful piece, without giving away the final solution. The first thing to notice is the structure. Cryptic clues typically have two parts: a definition and some form of wordplay. Often, the definition might appear at the beginning or end of the clue, and the wordplay leads you to the answer. The real art is blending these elements seamlessly, making the entire phrase sound like a natural sentence.
Consider “Boy singer.” This segment is rich with possibilities for a crossword puzzle hint. Is it referring to a specific type of young vocalist? Or perhaps a well-known individual who fits that description? Cryptic clues often employ proper nouns or common phrases to cleverly mislead, suggesting one thing while truly pointing to another. This part of the crossword clue could be the main subject for the wordplay, or it could be the entire definition itself, cunningly disguised. Many a daily crossword clue relies on you spotting these double meanings.
Next, we have “holding.” In the language of cryptic crosswords, words like ‘holding,’ ‘containing,’ ’embracing,’ or ‘around’ often serve as indicators for inclusion. This suggests that one part of the clue is going to literally
hold
or
contain
another part. This is a common device to solve crossword clue mysteries, so keep it in mind whenever you encounter similar wording. What exactly is being held here?
The phrase “music’s beginning” offers a more direct pointer within this complex crossword clue. In cryptic wordplay, “beginning of X,” “first of X,” or “start of X” almost invariably refers to the very first letter of that word. So, “music’s beginning” very clearly indicates a single, specific letter. This is a solid anchor in what can otherwise feel like a sea of ambiguity when trying to solve a cryptic crossword clue. Knowing this helps to pin down one element of our wordplay.
Finally, we arrive at “to shake.” This could be the definition for our seven-letter answer. If so, what common seven-letter word means “to shake”? But wait, “to shake” could also be an anagrind – an anagram indicator, suggesting that some letters need to be rearranged or “shaken up” to form part of the solution. Words like ‘mix,’ ‘stir,’ ‘jumble,’ or ‘confuse’ are classic anagrinds. The beauty of this particular crossword clue is how elegantly “to shake” can perform double duty, pointing to both meaning and method. This dual functionality is often what makes a cryptic crossword clue truly satisfying.
The challenge of this crossword clue, and indeed any good cryptic, lies in assembling these disparate pieces. How does a “boy singer,” holding a specific letter, relate to “to shake” to form a seven-letter word? It requires you to consider all possibilities for each segment, combine them logically, and then test your proposed answer against both the definition and the wordplay. The moment everything clicks into place, and you see the cleverness of the construction, is immensely rewarding.
This “Boy singer holding music’s beginning to shake (7)” crossword clue is a testament to the wit and ingenuity of crossword setters. It’s a fantastic example of why we love spending our time grappling with these word puzzles. It tests our vocabulary, our logic, and our ability to think laterally. So, take another look, try combining those elements, and see if you can unlock the secret of this brilliant crossword clue!
Available Answers:
TREMBLE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 19 October 2025