Welcome, fellow wordsmiths and daily crossword puzzle aficionados! There are some crossword clues that, at first glance, seem like they should be a breeze, yet they have a knack for stopping us dead in our tracks. They’re the ones that hide a precise, often singular, action behind a seemingly common phrase. Today, we’re diving into one such deceptively simple yet often perplexing entry: “Adjust, as a lock.”
This particular crossword clue is a fantastic example of the kind of wordplay that makes solving crosswords so incredibly rewarding, and sometimes, incredibly frustrating! When you encounter a verb phrase like “Adjust, as a lock,” your mind likely races through a myriad of possibilities. The word “adjust” itself is wonderfully versatile. You can adjust your glasses, adjust your attitude, adjust a radio dial, or even adjust to new circumstances. Each sense implies a slight alteration, a fine-tuning, or a change to achieve a better state.
Then we come to the object: “a lock.” This little word carries significant weight and, in the world of crossword puzzles, can open up a whole new set of possibilities – or cleverly close them off. Is it a lock of hair? A canal lock? A wrestling hold? Or, most commonly, the mechanical device that secures a door or a safe? The “as a lock” part of the crossword clue strongly steers us towards the mechanical interpretation, narrowing the field but by no means giving away the specific verb required for a perfect fit in your grid. This is where the magic, and the challenge, of a great crossword clue truly lies.
Many a seasoned solver and newcomer alike have paused over such a phrase, pondering the precise action. What exactly does one
do
to “adjust a lock”? Do you tighten it? Loosen it? Realign it? Lubricate it? Change its settings? The answer isn’t a general concept of modification; it’s a very specific, often technical, action. This is the beauty of well-crafted crossword clues – they demand not just understanding, but precision in language. They push us to think beyond the obvious synonyms and dig into the nuanced vocabulary of everyday actions.
For those of us who live for the thrill of completing the daily crossword, clues like “Adjust, as a lock” are the bread and butter of our intellectual pursuits. They test our vocabulary, our lateral thinking, and our ability to parse the exact meaning the puzzle constructor intended. It’s not enough to just know what “adjust” means; you need to understand how it applies specifically to a “lock” in a way that yields a common, precise, and often satisfyingly short answer.
The journey to finding the right word for this kind of crossword clue often involves a combination of considering letter counts, cross-referencing with intersecting words, and a deep dive into the specific mechanics implied. It’s about more than just finding
an
answer; it’s about finding
the
answer that perfectly slots into place, making all the surrounding letters sing in harmony. When you’re staring at an empty slot and this particular clue, it can feel like trying to pick an actual lock with a thousand different keys. But once you find the right one, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled.
So, if you’ve found yourself scratching your head over this particular crossword clue, know that you’re in excellent company. It’s a classic for a reason, designed to challenge and delight. The exact word required for “Adjust, as a lock” is a testament to the power of concise language and the brilliance of crossword puzzle construction. Let’s explore the depths of this intriguing verbal challenge further.
Available Answers:
REKEY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Saturday’s Daily By Brian Callahan & Matthew Luter / Ed. Patti Varol