Ah, the daily ritual! Coffee brewed, pencil poised, and then it leaps out at you – that one
crossword clue
that makes you pause, tilt your head, and maybe even let out a soft groan of delightful frustration. Today, we’re diving into a prime example of a
crossword clue
that perfectly encapsulates the blend of poetry, misdirection, and sheer brilliance that makes these puzzles so utterly addictive.
The
crossword clue
in question? “An old lover on fire! (6)“. Just reading it, you can almost feel the spark, couldn’t you? It’s evocative, dramatic, and instantly conjures images that might be a little
too
literal for your typical grid. This isn’t just any
crossword clue
; it’s a tiny, six-letter saga waiting to unfold.
When a
crossword clue
like this appears, the seasoned solver knows immediately that direct interpretation is likely a red herring. “Old lover” immediately sends our minds down paths of forgotten romances, past passions, perhaps even historical figures. “On fire!” ignites thoughts of literal flames, intense passion, or perhaps even something being destroyed. The beauty, and often the challenge, of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its ability to paint a vivid picture that cleverly disguises its true, often simpler, meaning.
You find yourself pondering: Is it an anagram? A clever double definition? A hidden word? Or is it something far more subtle, playing on a common phrase or a less obvious connection between the two seemingly disparate elements? Every fantastic
crossword clue
relies on this precise dance – leading you down one garden path only to reveal the true solution is blooming in an entirely different patch. The best
crossword clues
don’t just ask you to recall a word; they invite you to rethink language itself.
This particular
crossword clue
is a masterclass in elegant misdirection. It uses vivid imagery to create a narrative that tugs at your emotions, while the actual answer demands a precise, often logical, leap of deduction. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that, once solved, elicits that satisfying ‘aha!’ moment – the kind where you might even quietly applaud the setter for their ingenuity.
Every time a
crossword clue
like “An old lover on fire! (6)” pops up, it reinforces why we keep coming back to these grids. They aren’t just tests of vocabulary; they’re exercises in lateral thinking, wordplay, and the delightful art of deciphering linguistic riddles. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that feels deeply satisfying to untangle, revealing the elegant simplicity behind the poetic façade. Stay tuned to unravel the cleverness woven into this delightful, fiery
crossword clue
.![]()
Available Answers:
AFLAME.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 12 July 2025