Ah, the daily crossword. That moment when you’re cruising along, filling in answers with satisfying clicks, and then you hit a wall. Not just any wall, but a cleverly constructed edifice of linguistic cunning. Today, for many of us, that wall took the form of the rather intriguing crossword clue: “Get rid of cricket side – great deal (7)“.
What an absolute gem of a cryptic prompt, isn’t it? At first glance, your mind might leap straight to the sporting arena. “Cricket side” immediately conjures images of batsmen, bowlers, and wickets. And “get rid of”? Perhaps a strategic move to dismiss an opposing team? But then you look at the second part: “great deal”. Suddenly, the sporting context feels a little… off. Does a cricket team getting ‘gotten rid of’ truly equate to a ‘great deal’ in any conventional sense? This very question is the hallmark of a perplexing crossword clue designed to make you think.
This, my fellow puzzle enthusiasts, is where the brilliance of a well-crafted crossword clue truly shines. It forces you to shed your initial assumptions, to peer beyond the obvious, and to dance through the myriad interpretations of common words. The very essence of what makes a good crossword clue so captivating lies in this delightful misdirection, where a seemingly straightforward phrase hides layers of alternative meanings.
Consider the word “cricket” itself. While it’s prominently known as a sport, how else might it manifest in our vocabulary? What other connotations does it carry? And what about “side”? Is it literally a team, or could it signify something else entirely – a part of something, an aspect, or even a particular angle? Then there’s the phrase “get rid of”. A straightforward instruction, yes, but often these simple phrases are the most potent tools for a setter to twist meaning, hinting at elimination or dismissal in a less literal sense. And finally, “great deal”. Is it a fantastic bargain, an immense quantity, or something more nuanced, perhaps an agreement or a state of being? Unpacking a challenging crossword clue like this requires an open mind and a willingness to explore every linguistic alleyway.
The challenge here, and it’s a beautiful one, is sifting through these layers. It’s about recognizing that a single word in a crossword clue can hold multiple identities, each waiting to be uncovered. This particular seven-letter marvel demands that we think laterally, to consider not just the primary definitions, but the secondary, tertiary, and even idiomatic meanings that might be lurking beneath the surface. It’s a testament to the English language’s richness and the setter’s skill in exploiting it.
For those who relish the linguistic gymnastics of a challenging crossword clue, this one provides ample opportunity for mental calisthenics. It’s a testament to the setter’s art, weaving together disparate concepts into a single, cohesive answer. It’s the kind of clue that, once solved, elicits an “Aha!” moment so satisfying it makes all the head-scratching worthwhile, solidifying your understanding of how these cryptic challenges operate.
So, if you’ve been staring at this particular crossword clue, feeling that familiar tug-of-war between obvious interpretations and the nagging sense that there’s more to it, you’re in good company. Let’s delve into the thought process behind unraveling such a clever piece of wordplay. We won’t just solve it; we’ll understand
how
it’s solved, ensuring that the next time a similarly deceptive crossword clue appears, you’ll be armed with the strategies to conquer it with confidence and flair.
Available Answers:
OFFLOAD.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 24 October 2025