Oh, the sheer delight and occasional delightful vexation of a well-crafted crossword clue! We’ve all been there, poised over the grid, pencil hovering, certain we grasp the essence of the word, only for it to remain stubbornly elusive. Today, we’re unraveling one such intriguing puzzle that recently caught my eye and sparked quite a bit of thought: “Extended part of a collar (5).” What a wonderfully deceptive little piece of wordplay, isn’t it? It sounds so straightforward, almost disarmingly simple, yet it demands a specific kind of mental agility to pinpoint the exact term the setter has cleverly hidden within those five letters.
When you first encounter a crossword clue like this, the immediate instinct might be to conjure up images of your everyday dress shirt or casual polo. But seasoned solvers know that crosswords, in their glorious complexity, revel in playing with context, multiple meanings, and the more precise corners of our vocabulary. “Extended part of a collar” brings to mind a myriad of styles – the classic spread, the sharp point, the relaxed revere – but which
specific
extended part are we looking for, and how does it perfectly distill into a five-letter word? This, my friends, is where the genuine beauty and challenge of the daily crossword clue lie.
The key to unlocking this particular crossword clue often resides in a deep dive into the word ‘extended.’ Does it imply something that adds length? Perhaps a section that projects beyond the main body? Or something that simply reaches out further than expected? The nuanced interpretation of such descriptive words is frequently the linchpin for solving a tricky clue. It’s not just
any
part, but an
extended
part – that precision is what elevates a basic vocabulary test into an engaging and deeply satisfying mental workout.
Many of us approach a challenging crossword clue by first trying to visualize the object in question. So, let’s take a moment to picture various types of collars. What are their distinct components? What are the individual sections that collectively form that neat frame around the neck? And, crucially, which of those sections could most accurately be described as ‘extended’? This kind of visual association can be an incredibly potent tool when you find yourself momentarily stuck. Sometimes, merely sketching a quick diagram or even running your fingers over the collar of your own shirt can magically spark that forgotten term, bringing the correct answer to the forefront of your mind.
The five-letter constraint is another critical element of this particular crossword clue. It acts as an immediate filter, narrowing down a potentially vast lexicon of possibilities. If the clue were, for instance, for an eight-letter word, our internal mental Rolodex would spin in an entirely different direction. But five letters? That’s often a sweet spot, frequently indicating a common, everyday term that we might simply be overthinking because of the puzzle’s clever wording. The very best crossword clues often hide their solutions in plain sight, challenging us to look beyond the obvious without straying too far afield.
For those moments when the answer to a seemingly simple crossword clue feels just out of reach, remember to broaden your perspective slightly. Are we exclusively talking about a garment collar? Could there be a less common, yet perfectly valid, interpretation of ‘collar’ that leads to a five-letter ‘extended part’? While the most common context for this phrasing certainly leans towards clothing, a true crossword enthusiast always keeps an open mind for playful misdirection. The setter wants us to think broadly, then to narrow down with laser-like precision.
The immense satisfaction that washes over you when you finally crack a crossword clue like “Extended part of a collar (5)” is unparalleled. It’s that wonderful, almost electric ‘Aha!’ moment when all the pieces snap perfectly into place, and you’re left wondering how you could have possibly missed it for so long. It’s a powerful testament to the beauty of language, the vastness of our vocabulary, and the sheer cleverness of those who craft these daily brain-teasers. So, the next time you’re faced with a deceptively simple five-letter word related to fashion, garments, or any other topic, take a deep breath, visualize the possibilities, and let your mind explore. Happy solving, fellow word enthusiasts!
Available Answers:
LAPEL.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Tuesday, 14 October 2025