Welcome back, fellow word sleuths, to another dive into the delightfully perplexing world of cryptic crosswords! Today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing
crossword clue
that, at first glance, seems to paint a very clear picture, but then, as all good clues do, unravels into a labyrinth of possibilities. This is the kind of
crossword clue
that truly tests your lateral thinking and your understanding of the setter’s crafty mind.
The
crossword clue
that’s captured our attention today reads:
“Flaw in emblem is highlighted (7)“
.
A seven-letter word awaits us, and immediately, several pathways open up. Let’s break down this fascinating
crossword clue
and explore the potential avenues a seasoned solver might take, all without, of course, giving away the elusive answer. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it? The journey of discovery!
First, consider the components of this
crossword clue
. We have “Flaw,” which points to a defect, an imperfection, something amiss. This could be a direct definition, or it could be a crucial part of the wordplay. Then there’s “emblem.” An emblem is a symbol, a badge, a distinctive device. It represents something. The combination of “flaw” and “emblem” immediately suggests a discrepancy or something wrong within a representation.
The phrase “is highlighted” is where things get truly interesting. In a conventional sense, “highlighted” means emphasized, made prominent, or brought to attention. If a flaw
is highlighted
in an emblem, it implies that the imperfection is being shown or made visible. Could this be the definition? A word that means a highlighted flaw in an emblem? Or is “highlighted” acting as an indicator for a different kind of wordplay?
Think about the various techniques setters employ. Could this be a cryptic definition, where the entire phrase acts as an elaborate description of the answer? “Flaw in emblem is highlighted” certainly has a poetic, almost abstract quality to it, which often characterizes cryptic definitions. You’re looking for a word that perfectly encapsulates that concept.
What if “highlighted” is an anagram indicator? While “highlighted” isn’t a common anagram indicator itself, sometimes a setter might use a descriptive phrase that implies a jumbling or rearrangement. However, given the structure of this
crossword clue
, it’s less likely to be a direct anagram of the surrounding words. The number of letters in “flaw in emblem” is too high to form a 7-letter word easily, and “is highlighted” doesn’t lend itself to direct scrambling.
Perhaps we are looking for a word hidden within the clue itself? A hidden word
crossword clue
would typically use phrases like “some of,” “part of,” “contained in,” or even “is highlighted” in a very literal sense, pointing to the answer spanning across several words of the clue. Let’s scan “Flaw in emblem is highlighted” for a seven-letter word. A quick visual check doesn’t immediately reveal one, but setters are clever, sometimes hiding them in plain sight or across word breaks.
Consider the possibility of a charade or a container-and-contents clue. Could “flaw” be one part of the word, contained within or adjacent to another word relating to “emblem” or “highlighted”? For example, if “flaw” was one component, and an “emblem” was another, coming together to form the answer. Or perhaps a word for “flaw” is placed
inside
something that signifies an “emblem” to make the final seven-letter solution.
The key with this particular
crossword clue
is to not get fixated on the most obvious interpretation. “Flaw,” “emblem,” and “highlighted” each have multiple synonyms and shades of meaning. The setter might be using one of the lesser-known definitions, or playing on a double meaning. For instance, “highlighted” could refer to a literal highlighting with colour, or a figurative emphasis. “Emblem” could be a very specific type of symbol.
The challenge of a seven-letter answer is also significant. It’s long enough to be complex but short enough to be a common word. Often, a longer answer offers more scope for intricate wordplay, but with seven letters, it could be a compound word or a single, precise term.
So, take a moment, ponder “Flaw in emblem is highlighted (7)“. What’s your first instinct? What common
crossword clue
tricks come to mind? The beauty of these puzzles is in the journey to the solution, piecing together the linguistic puzzle. Keep those cogs turning, and remember, every good
crossword clue
is a mini-mystery waiting to be solved!
Available Answers:
BLEMISH.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 1 November 2025