Welcome back, puzzle enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving deep into a particularly intriguing cryptic crossword clue: “Full up? Peer somehow gets allowed inside (7)“. This isn’t just any ordinary crossword clue; it’s a prime example of the clever misdirection and ingenious wordplay that makes cryptic puzzles so captivating for solvers around the globe.
As with all cryptic crossword clues, our first step is to identify the definition and the wordplay. The definition here is “Full up?”, which points to a state of being completely filled, satisfied, or complete. This gives us our target meaning for the seven-letter answer we’re searching for. The remaining part, “Peer somehow gets allowed inside”, is where the real cryptic magic happens, challenging us to unravel a hidden construction.
Let’s dissect the wordplay. We have three key elements to consider: ‘Peer’, ‘somehow’, and ‘gets allowed inside’. Each element contributes a vital piece to the puzzle, and understanding their individual roles is crucial for deciphering this particular crossword clue.
First, let’s tackle ‘Peer’. This is a classic cryptic word that can carry multiple meanings, often intended to lead you down a delightful garden path of possibilities. Is it a noble – a Lord or an Earl? Cryptic crossword clues frequently use specific examples of a category to stand for the category itself. Or perhaps it refers to an equal, someone on the same level or of the same status? Alternatively, could it even be the verb, ‘to peer’, meaning to look intently or with difficulty? The beauty of a well-crafted crossword clue lies in these layers of interpretation; choosing the correct meaning is the first hurdle in solving.
Next, we have the word ‘somehow’. In the fascinating world of cryptic crossword clues, ‘somehow’ is a very common and reliable indicator for an anagram. It tells us that the letters of another word or phrase will need to be jumbled, rearranged, or confused to form part of our solution. So, the critical question arises: is ‘peer’ itself the fodder for an anagram? Or is ‘somehow’ indicating an anagram of a larger phrase that incorporates ‘peer’? The precise scope of the anagram is key to unlocking this crossword clue.
Finally, consider the phrase ‘gets allowed inside’. This construction strongly suggests a container-type clue, where one set of letters or a word is inserted within another. Think of common cryptic indicators like ‘inside’, ‘within’, ’embraces’, ‘contains’, or ‘holds’. So, is an anagram of ‘peer’ being placed inside another word? Or is ‘peer’ (in one of its various meanings) being inserted into something else, with ‘somehow’ acting as an anagram indicator for the outer word or an accompanying part of the wordplay? The precise interplay between ‘somehow’ and ‘gets allowed inside’ is crucial for unlocking this challenging crossword clue.
And let’s not forget the crucial (7) at the end, telling us our answer is a seven-letter word. This length is incredibly helpful; once you have a strong candidate based on the definition “Full up?”, you can then test if its letters can be derived from the elaborate wordplay involving ‘peer’, ‘somehow’, and ‘gets allowed inside’.
When faced with such an elegant crossword clue, it’s often helpful to try out different combinations of these elements. Ponder the various meanings of ‘peer’, consider the implications of ‘somehow’, and visualize what ‘gets allowed inside’ truly signifies. The satisfaction of finally seeing how all the pieces of a cryptic crossword clue fit together is unparalleled.
Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
REPLETE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 5 July 2025