Grappling with ‘Consents to keeping engineers in a long time’ – A Six-Letter Saga
Right, let’s dive straight into another head-scratcher! Today’s quarry is a six-letter word hidden within the cryptic clue: “Consents to keeping engineers in a long time.”
As seasoned crossword solvers know, brevity is the soul of wit, and the economy of words in a clue is paramount. Every single word, from the humble “to” to the seemingly innocuous “a,” is deliberately placed and potentially vital to cracking the code.
The initial scan suggests a few possible avenues. We’re dealing with a word that conveys agreement or permission, that’s what “consents to” suggests. This immediately brings synonyms like “agrees,” “allows,” “grants,” and “permits” to mind. However, we need to find a six-letter word lurking within that conceptual zone.
The phrase “keeping engineers in” is where things get interesting. This strongly suggests some sort of container or enclosure concept. The solution is likely something that can hold the letters or abbreviation of “engineers” within it. Think of words like “around,” “within,” “inside” – they all imply containment. This is often signaled by wording like “hiding,” “holding,” or, as in our case, “keeping in.”
The final component is “a long time.” This points towards a duration, a period of extended existence. Could it be hinting at a word that signifies something ancient, established, or perhaps simply… lengthy? This is the trickiest part of the clue so far, due to its potential abstraction. The link to this ‘long time’ may not be directly to do with the ‘consents’ or the ‘engineers’.
Putting it all together, we need a six-letter word that means “consents to” while simultaneously incorporating the concept of “engineers” being held “in” something, and somehow relating to “a long time.”
Let’s deconstruct the ‘engineers’ part a little further. It’s quite common in cryptic crosswords for occupations to be represented by their abbreviations. “Engineer” or “engineers” could be shortened to simply “Eng,” “E,” or even “EN.” Is the puzzle writer expecting us to slot one of these inside our mystery word? It’s a strong possibility.
Consider also the subtle nuances of the word “keeping.” Is it actively “keeping,” as in
doing
the action of keeping, or does it relate to something which enables the act of keeping? Is it a noun or a verb-related gerund, or something that enables the act?
With so many paths to consider, the best approach is systematic elimination. Try substituting potential synonyms for “consents to” into the clue. For example, could “permits” work? How could we then fit “engineers” (or its abbreviation) inside “permits” and connect it to “a long time”? Similarly, explore the possibilities with other synonyms.
Similarly, try thinking of any common phrases or idioms which use either ‘long time’, ‘engineers’ or any synonym of ‘consents’. It is possible that the clue writer is drawing on familiar usage of the word in a larger context.
Keep in mind that cryptic clues often rely on wordplay, puns, and double meanings. Don’t take anything at face value. Question every assumption, and be prepared to think outside the box!
This clue demands careful consideration of all its elements. Good luck, fellow solvers! May your dictionaries be well-worn, and your thesauruses overflowing. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
AGREES.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 2 November 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 24 July 2025