Greetings, fellow word wranglers and cryptic connoisseurs! Today, we’re diving deep into a particular
crossword clue
that has all the hallmarks of a classic head-scratcher. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that makes you pause, scratch your chin, and then perhaps reach for another cup of tea as you ponder its delightful complexities. The clue in question? “Fifty going in create disaster, something sticky (7)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
presents a fascinating duality. We have the seemingly straightforward numerical reference, the imperative “going in,” and then a pair of definitions that might seem disconnected but are almost certainly pointing to a singular, precise answer. This is the beauty of a well-crafted cryptic
crossword clue
: it simultaneously offers all the pieces of the puzzle while cleverly obscuring their true arrangement.
Let’s unpack the first part of this intriguing
crossword clue
: “Fifty going in.” Seasoned solvers know that “Fifty” is a well-established indicator for the Roman numeral ‘L’. This solitary letter, ‘L’, is our first tangible piece of the wordplay. The phrase “going in” is a common cryptic instruction, signalling that ‘L’ needs to be inserted into another word. This immediately tells us a vital piece of information about the structure of our seven-letter solution: it will be a six-letter word with an ‘L’ placed somewhere within its boundaries. The exact placement (at the beginning, end, or somewhere in the middle) often becomes clear as we explore the definitional component of the
crossword clue
. The joy in tackling such a
crossword clue
lies in deciphering these subtle cues.
Then we come to the definitional half, which is equally compelling: “create disaster, something sticky.” This isn’t just one definition; it’s a wonderfully ambiguous pairing that demands a word capable of carrying both meanings, or perhaps one meaning that strongly implies the other. Does the target word refer to something physically sticky, like treacle or glue, which also has the capacity to “create disaster” in the form of a mess? Or does “sticky” refer to a difficult or problematic situation – a “sticky wicket,” if you will – which itself constitutes a form of “disaster”? The brilliant ambiguity means we’re looking for a word that perfectly encapsulates both a tangible, gooey characteristic and a more abstract, calamitous consequence. This multifaceted approach to the definition is what elevates a simple word puzzle into a true mental workout.
The seven-letter count, indicated by (7) at the end of the
crossword clue
, serves as our ultimate validator. Once we’ve toyed with the Roman numeral, considered the insertion indicator, and found a word that satisfies both “create disaster” and “something sticky,” we then verify that it perfectly fits the allocated number of letters. This final check is always incredibly satisfying, confirming that our journey through the cryptic landscape has led us to the correct destination.
Solving a complex
crossword clue
like this isn’t just about finding the answer; it’s about appreciating the artistry of the setter. It’s about the dance between wordplay and definition, the thrill of the “aha!” moment when all the seemingly disparate elements click into place. These are the moments that keep us coming back to the daily challenge, sharpening our minds and expanding our vocabulary with every successful solve. If you’ve ever found yourself staring blankly at a
crossword clue
, rest assured, you’re not alone! It’s part of the shared experience that makes the world of crosswords so engaging. Stay tuned as we break down the path to unraveling this specific
crossword clue
and reveal its clever solution.
Available Answers:
TREACLE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 1 November 2025