There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of cracking a particularly tricky
crossword clue
. Some days, the answers just leap out at you, a direct hit from your mental dictionary. Other days, you’re left scratching your head, staring blankly at a cleverly disguised definition or a wickedly intricate bit of wordplay. Today, we’re diving into one of those delightful head-scratchers that truly tests your
crossword clue
skills: “A politician’s after gold for public speaking (7)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems straightforward enough, but as seasoned solvers know, the devil is always in the details. Let’s break down each element to understand how the constructor might be guiding us – or misguiding us – towards the seven-letter solution.
The phrase “A politician’s” immediately presents a couple of possibilities. Is it a possessive – something belonging to a politician? Or is it a contraction, short for “a politician is” or “a politician has”? In the world of cryptic
crossword clues
, this kind of ambiguity is a common tactic designed to make you think laterally. How often have we seen a simple apostrophe ‘s’ throw a wrench into our gears, only for the reveal to be surprisingly simple once you’ve considered all angles? This particular part of the
crossword clue
could be defining part of the wordplay or a characteristic linked to the answer itself.
Next, we have “after gold.” This is where things get truly interesting. In
crossword clue
parlance, “gold” frequently, almost instinctively, brings to mind ‘Au’, its chemical symbol. If this is the case, “after gold” would imply that ‘Au’ follows something else in the word structure. But could it be more literal? Could “gold” refer to wealth, a prize, or even a colour? Constructors love to play with these dual meanings, forcing you to consider both the common and the more obscure interpretations of a word. The word “after” is also a crucial directional indicator. Does it mean “subsequent to,” “in pursuit of,” or “in the style of”? Pinpointing the exact role of “after gold” is key to unlocking this particular
crossword clue
.
Finally, “for public speaking.” This is most likely our definition part, or at least a very strong definitional hint for the seven-letter answer. What exactly falls under “public speaking”? Oration, rhetoric, addresses, lectures, speeches, or even a specific style or quality of speaking. When tackling any
crossword clue
, narrowing down the definition to its precise meaning is vital. Given the “politician” context, the answer will undoubtedly be something closely associated with their common activities. Think about what a politician
does
when they address the public. The seven-letter constraint helps us immensely here, ruling out many longer or shorter possibilities.
When faced with a
crossword clue
like this, it’s always helpful to consider typical cryptic mechanisms. Are we looking for a charade (pieces put together)? An anagram (less likely given the structure, but never say never)? A hidden word (unlikely, but a quick scan is always good)? Or a more complex construction involving synonyms and specific letter indicators? The combination of “politician’s,” “gold,” and “public speaking” hints at a clever blend of these elements, likely involving the ‘Au’ trick, which is a common and beloved staple of the cryptic
crossword puzzle clue
.
This
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of how constructors weave together everyday language with specific crossword conventions to create a challenging yet satisfying puzzle. It encourages you to think about the different facets of a word, from its literal meaning to its scientific symbol, and how these can be manipulated to form a cohesive whole.
What were your initial thoughts on this intriguing daily
crossword clue
? Did “gold” immediately scream ‘Au’ to you, or did you go down a different path? Share your solving strategies in the comments below, and let’s unravel the beauty of these daily brain teasers together. Keep an eye out for more
crossword clue
breakdowns right here!
Available Answers:
ORATORY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 9 August 2025