There are few greater joys in the world of wordplay than encountering a truly brilliant crossword clue. You know the kind – the one that makes you pause, chuckle inwardly, and then spend a delightful stretch of time turning it over in your mind like a precious gem. It’s a mental workout, a linguistic dance, and a testament to the ingenious minds behind our beloved puzzles. Today, I want to dive into one such gem that recently graced my grid: “Snakes and ladders not started (6)“.
Immediately, this crossword clue sets the stage for a delightful challenge. Six letters. A familiar game, “Snakes and ladders,” paired with the intriguing phrase “not started.” This isn’t just a straightforward definition; it’s a prompt for deeper thought, a wink from the setter inviting you to explore the nuances of language. What does it mean for a game to be “not started”? And how can that concept be encapsulated in a six-letter word? This is where the magic of a well-crafted crossword clue truly shines.
The art of solving such a compelling crossword clue lies in dissecting its components. We have “Snakes and ladders,” a game universally recognized, bringing with it connotations of beginnings, progress, setbacks, and ultimately, conclusions. Then there’s “not started,” a phrase that immediately draws our attention to the initial state, the precursor to any action or movement within the game. It’s about the potential, the dormant phase before the dice are rolled and the pawns take their first tentative steps. The number six, of course, provides the crucial length constraint, narrowing down the field of possibilities significantly.
For many, including myself, this type of crossword clue is particularly satisfying because it pushes beyond simple synonym finding. It requires you to think about context, implication, and often, a clever twist of phrase or an unexpected angle on a common concept. Is “not started” referring to the
game
itself, or a
state
within the game, or even something broader that applies to any endeavor yet to begin? These are the questions that spiral through the mind of a dedicated crossword solver.
The initial read of a challenging crossword clue like this can often lead to a moment of bewilderment, quickly followed by that familiar thrill of anticipation. You might try to brainstorm words related to “beginning,” “waiting,” or “pre-game.” You consider words that mean “incomplete” or “idle.” But the beauty of this specific crossword clue is how elegantly it combines these elements, hinting at a singular, precise answer that perfectly captures the essence of a situation that is yet to unfold.
It’s this journey of exploration that makes solving a crossword clue so incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about filling in the squares; it’s about the mental process, the linguistic acrobatics, and the sheer joy of that ‘aha!’ moment when all the pieces click into place. A good crossword clue is a mini-puzzle in itself, offering a delightful intellectual exercise that sharpens the mind and expands the vocabulary.
This “Snakes and ladders not started (6)” crossword clue serves as a prime example of why we keep coming back to these puzzles day after day. It’s a testament to the elegance and wit that can be packed into a few words, a reminder that language is a playground for the clever, and a brilliant challenge that truly tests one’s ability to see beyond the obvious. It’s an invitation to think laterally, to consider every angle, and ultimately, to discover the perfectly formed word that brings the entire grid into focus.
Available Answers:
ADDERS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 25 November 2025