Navigating the Nuance: Decoding the “Target’s Target” Crossword Clue
Welcome back to the daily breakdown, fellow solvers! If you opened up your favorite puzzle today and found yourself staring at a blank space for the
crossword clue
“Target’s target, for one,” you are certainly not alone. This specific bit of wordplay is a classic example of why we love—and sometimes lose our minds over—the art of the crossword.
When you see this
crossword clue
appear in the New York Times, the LA Times, or the Wall Street Journal, the first thing you have to do is pay very close attention to the typography. Crossword constructors are masters of misdirection, and in this case, the shift from a capital “T” to a lowercase “t” is the key that unlocks the entire grid.
The Power of Capitalization in a Crossword Clue
In the world of the
crossword clue
, capitalization is never accidental. When a word like “Target” is capitalized at the start of a clue, it can be ambiguous—it might just be the start of the sentence, or it might be a proper noun. However, when the clue reads “Target’s target,” the constructor is explicitly pointing you toward the big-box retailer.
This is a classic “hidden in plain sight” tactic. Your brain might immediately jump to archery, bullseyes, or goals. You might start looking for synonyms for “aim” or “objective.” But by focusing on the retail giant, the clue transforms into a question of business and demographics. It’s asking: who is the retail giant trying to reach? Who is walking through those automatic sliding doors with a red cart in hand?
Why This Clue Trips Solvers Up
The difficulty of this
crossword clue
often depends on the length of the required answer. Depending on the day of the week, the constructor might be looking for a general term for someone who buys things, or perhaps a more specific marketing term.
What makes it a great
crossword clue
is that it operates on two levels. On one level, it’s a literal description of a business relationship. On another, it’s a playful nod to the brand’s own iconic “Bullseye” logo. Is the “target” the person, or is the “target” the person’s wallet?
Tips for Solving Retail-Themed Clues
When you encounter a
crossword clue
that references a specific brand like Target, Macy’s, or Apple, try these strategies:
1.
Think about the Stakeholders:
Is the answer the employee, the owner, or the person being marketed to?
2.
Check the Inflection:
Does the clue end in “for one” or “perhaps”? This usually indicates that the answer is just one example of a broader category.
3.
Look at the Intersecting Words:
If you have a few “down” clues crossing this “across” clue, the vowels will often give away the suffix. Are you looking for a word that ends in “-ER” or “-OR”?
The beauty of the
crossword clue
“Target’s target, for one” lies in its simplicity. It’s a short, punchy phrase that forces you to pivot from literal thinking to lateral thinking.
As you continue to fill out your grid today, keep an eye on how these types of clues interact with the rest of your puzzle. Sometimes, the most frustrating clues become the most satisfying ones to solve once that “Aha!” moment finally strikes.
Happy solving, and may your eraser stay unused and your ink flow freely! Stay tuned for our next deep dive into the world’s most puzzling wordplay.
Available Answers:
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Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Tuesday’s Daily By Dylan Schiff / Ed. Patti Varol