Every seasoned solver of a daily crossword puzzle knows the feeling: that one elusive
crossword clue
that seems deceptively simple, yet locks up your entire grid. It’s not a cryptic
crossword clue
designed to trick you with elaborate wordplay, nor is it an obscure piece of trivia from a forgotten corner of history. Instead, it’s a straightforward prompt about an everyday action, yet somehow, the perfect five-letter word just won’t surface.
Today, we’re diving into precisely that kind of brain-teaser: a five-letter
crossword clue
related to a fundamental human process. The specific
crossword clue
we’re unraveling asks us to identify a word for drawing air inward, specifically using the olfactory organ. Yes, that’s right – the
crossword clue
in question is ‘Draw in air through the nose (5)‘.
At first glance, this particular
crossword clue
might seem elementary. We all do it hundreds of times a day without a second thought. But finding the
exact
five-letter verb that encapsulates ‘drawing air inward via the nasal passages’ can be surprisingly tricky for a crossword puzzle. Think about the broader concept: taking air into the lungs. Many words come to mind: ‘breathe,’ ‘inhale,’ ‘gasp.’ But notice the crucial qualifiers in our
crossword clue
. It’s not just any form of breathing; it specifies ‘through the nose.’ This specificity is what makes certain
crossword clues
rewarding to solve, demanding precision in vocabulary.
What distinct actions involve pulling air through the nose? There’s the general act of breathing in. Then there are more specific, sometimes involuntary, actions. Perhaps you’re trying to detect a scent, or maybe you’re reacting to a sudden change in temperature or emotion. Each scenario offers a slightly different shade of meaning, and a good
crossword clue
often hinges on these subtle distinctions. When tackling such a
crossword clue
, consider the common verbs associated with this action. Is it a gentle, deliberate act, or something more forceful? The five-letter constraint is vital here. It immediately rules out longer, more descriptive phrases and pushes us toward a concise, commonly understood term.
Experienced solvers know that sometimes the simplest actions hide behind the trickiest
crossword clues
. One approach is to mentally list all five-letter verbs you know related to breathing or the nose. Don’t be afraid to experiment, even if a word feels ‘too obvious’ or ‘not quite right’ at first. Often, the answer to a daily crossword’s seemingly tricky clue is right under your nose, so to speak.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its ability to make you pause and reconsider words you use every day. It forces you to delve deeper into your lexical memory, pulling out the exact word that fits all parameters: the action, the method, and the letter count. For ‘Draw in air through the nose (5)‘, the satisfaction comes from pinpointing that perfect verb that perfectly aligns with this specific physical act. It’s these moments of linguistic triumph that keep us coming back to the daily challenge of solving crosswords.
So, when you encounter this particular
crossword clue
in your next grid, take a moment. Don’t rush. Consider the nuances of human respiration, the specificity of the nasal passage, and the constraint of those five crucial letters. The answer isn’t designed to be obscure; it’s designed to make you
think
. Happy solving, and may your dictionary — or your own brilliant mind — guide you to unlock even the most stubborn of daily crossword clues!
Available Answers:
SNIFF.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Tuesday, 2 December 2025