Stuck on a particularly vexing crossword clue today? You’re definitely not alone. There’s nothing quite like that moment when you’ve navigated through most of the grid, feeling like a wordplay wizard, only to be utterly stumped by one single, elusive phrase. And if you’ve landed here, searching for a lifeline, chances are that elusive phrase is “Even nuisances hide boredom (5)“.
This isn’t just any daily crossword clue; it’s one of those brilliant little brain-teasers designed to make you pause, rethink, and maybe even let out a frustrated groan before that glorious ‘aha!’ moment strikes. The beauty of a well-crafted cryptic crossword clue lies in its ability to present a perfectly coherent sentence that means one thing on the surface, and something entirely different once you peel back the layers. Deciphering a clever crossword clue like this is an art.
Let’s talk about “Even nuisances hide boredom (5)“. At first glance, it seems straightforward, almost philosophical. Nuisances, by their very nature, can certainly make you feel a certain way, and perhaps that feeling is what the clue is subtly suggesting. But this is a crossword, and in the world of crosswords, nothing is ever quite as it seems. We’re looking for a five-letter word, which is a fantastic constraint to help narrow down our possibilities for this cryptic crossword clue.
When you encounter a challenging crossword clue like this, your first instinct might be to take the entire phrase literally. “Even nuisances,” you might think, “what about them?” And “hide boredom” – is it a direct definition of something that conceals a lack of interest? Or is there a more playful interaction between the words? The setter here is doing an excellent job of creating a misdirection, leading our minds down several plausible, yet ultimately incorrect, paths when tackling this specific crossword clue.
Consider the different elements at play in this particular crossword clue. Could “Even” be an instruction or an indicator, subtly hinting at a certain type of wordplay? Is “nuisances” a direct synonym, or part of a more elaborate wordplay mechanism, perhaps an anagram, a charade, or even a clever definition in disguise? And what about “hide boredom”? This phrase itself holds multiple interpretations in the English language, let alone in the specialized grammar of a cryptic crossword. Is it an indication that the answer is literally
hidden
within the letters of the surrounding words? Or is it a more abstract pointer to a state or condition that these nuisances might bring about? Solving a crossword clue often depends on understanding these nuances.
This crossword clue challenges us to think about common phrases and concepts in an uncommon way. It forces us to examine the very definitions of ‘nuisances’ and ‘boredom,’ and how they might connect. What state of being do nuisances often lead to? And what word, exactly five letters long, perfectly encapsulates that state, or perhaps even the
cause
of that state, when considering the nature of a nuisance? If you’re stuck on a crossword clue like this, it’s worth revisiting these fundamental concepts.
If you’re trying to solve this crossword clue, don’t be afraid to break it down. Look at each word individually. Think about synonyms for ‘nuisances,’ particularly how they relate to the emotions or states they evoke. Consider the various meanings of ‘hide,’ both as a verb and as part of a compound phrase. And then, crucially, remember that five-letter limit. It’s a powerful guide for any crossword clue. This is the kind of crossword clue that makes you appreciate the incredible flexibility of the English language. It’s a puzzle wrapped in a riddle, hinting at an emotion or a state that is often associated with the very things we call nuisances.
Unlocking a tricky crossword clue like “Even nuisances hide boredom (5)” often requires a leap of lateral thinking. It’s about recognizing how the setter has cleverly disguised the definition and the wordplay within a seemingly innocuous sentence. So, take another look, let your mind wander through the possibilities, and remember that sometimes, the most obvious answer is hiding in plain sight, just waiting for you to connect the dots. You’re closer than you think to conquering this compelling crossword clue.
Available Answers:
ENNUI.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 30 August 2025