That Sentimental Crossword Clue: Unpacking “Get Teary”
There’s a certain kind of crossword clue that feels less like a test of vocabulary and more like a test of empathy. You’re sailing through the grid, filling in state capitals and three-letter birds, when you land on a square with a clue that asks you to define a feeling. Today, that clue is “Get teary.” It’s a beautifully simple phrase, one we all understand instantly, yet it can send a crossword solver down a fascinating rabbit hole of possibilities.
This isn’t a clue about full-blown sobbing or a dramatic outburst. It’s about the moment
before
the tears fall. It’s the quiet welling up of emotion that pricks at the corners of your eyes. A great crossword puzzle often hinges on this kind of nuance, asking you to pinpoint a precise state of being. Are you thinking of a physical reaction or an emotional one? This question is the first junction you’ll come to when tackling this particular puzzle clue.
Consider the literal interpretation first. What is the most common, almost comically mundane reason a person might “get teary”? Picture a kitchen, a cutting board, and a certain pungent vegetable. It’s a purely physical response, an involuntary action that has nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with chemical irritants. A word puzzle will often play on this kind of misdirection, offering a clue steeped in potential emotion while hinting at a more practical, everyday answer. The length of the answer boxes in your daily crossword is your best guide here.
But let’s be honest, the heart of this crossword clue lies in its emotional depth. This is where the true challenge for the crossword solver emerges. To “get teary” is to be moved. It’s the lump that forms in your throat during the final scene of a powerful movie. It’s the shimmer of pride and nostalgia you feel watching a loved one graduate. It’s the bittersweet pang of a goodbye at an airport or the overwhelming joy of a long-awaited reunion.
The constructor of the crossword puzzle knows this. They’ve chosen these two simple words because they are universally relatable and wonderfully ambiguous. The answer could be a gentle, poetic term, or it could be a more common, two-word phrasal verb. Your task is to look at the intersecting letters and let them guide you. Does the “P” from a down clue suggest one path, while a “W” might suggest another entirely?
So, as you ponder this crossword clue, let your mind wander through those sentimental moments. Think about the quiet, overwhelming feelings that don’t need loud expression. Consider both the kitchen and the cinema, the happy occasion and the poignant memory. The answer is sitting right at the intersection of language and experience, a perfect little word puzzle waiting for that final, satisfying click of understanding. This is the magic of a well-crafted crossword clue; it makes you think not just about the words themselves, but about the human moments they represent.
Available Answers:
CRY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Sunday’s Daily By Marc Goldstein / Ed. Patti Varol