Ever stared blankly at a grid, convinced you’ve hit a wall, only for a sudden flash of insight to light up the whole puzzle? That exhilarating “aha!” moment is precisely what keeps us coming back for more, isn’t it? It’s the thrill of the linguistic chase, the satisfaction of unlocking a cleverly hidden secret. And sometimes, a single
crossword clue
can embody that entire experience.
Recently, one particular
crossword clue
caught my eye and, for a delightful spell, utterly stumped me before yielding to a truly brilliant solution. It was a masterclass in misdirection and elegant construction, the kind that makes you want to applaud the setter. The clue in question? “A US city, very small, to gain back imminently (3,6,3).”
Let’s unpack this little gem. First, “A US city, very small.” This immediately sets a specific parameter. We’re not looking for your Bostons or your Los Angeleses. This points to a lesser-known locale, perhaps one whose very obscurity lends itself to clever wordplay. It forces your mind away from the obvious, suggesting a name that might be unique, perhaps even quaint, fitting its “very small” description. For seasoned solvers, a geographical
crossword clue
often hints at a pun or a phonetic twist, especially when the location is obscure.
Then we get to the core definition: “to gain back imminently.” This phrase carries a double weight. “To gain back” implies recovery, retrieval, or re-possession. It’s about getting something that was lost or taken. “Imminently” adds a crucial layer of urgency and time – something that is about to happen, very soon. Is the city itself literally about to recover something? Or is this a subtle hint at a phrase that
sounds like
gaining something back, just around the corner? This is where the magic of a great
crossword clue
truly lies, in the artful blending of literal meaning with suggestive interpretation.
And finally, the structure: “(3,6,3).” Three words, broken down into specific letter counts. This isn’t a single, long city name; it’s a phrase. This numerical key is invaluable, narrowing down the possibilities dramatically. It confirms that the solution isn’t just a place, but a sequence of words that, when combined,
are
the name of a US city. This pattern immediately makes you think of idioms, common sayings, or descriptive phrases that could double as a proper noun. The cleverness here is in how these three words don’t just form a city name, but also perfectly encapsulate the “to gain back imminently” definition in a delightfully unexpected way.
What makes this
crossword clue
so exceptional is how it seamlessly integrates all these elements. The city, its size, the action of gaining something back, and the temporal urgency, all wrapped up in a three-word structure. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that makes you circle it, come back to it, and then, with a jolt of recognition, experience that wonderful click as all the pieces fall perfectly into place. It’s a testament to the creative genius behind the puzzle, a true example of how a simple phrase can hold so much linguistic depth and challenge. This particular
crossword clue
is one you won’t soon forget.
Available Answers:
ANYMINUTENOW.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 25 September 2025