“Great if it becomes a ship (7)” – A Cryptic Crossword Challenge
Ah, the cryptic crossword clue. A delightful puzzle, a mind-bending challenge, and sometimes, a source of immense frustration. Today’s clue, “Great if it becomes a ship (7),” falls squarely into the “delightful puzzle” category. It’s a classic example of a cryptic clue that requires a bit of lateral thinking and a healthy dose of wordplay.
Let’s break it down, shall we? The first part, “Great,” is a straightforward indicator. It tells us that the solution is a word synonymous with “great” or “excellent.” The second part, “if it becomes a ship,” is where the wordplay kicks in. This is a classic example of a “container” clue, a common type in cryptic crosswords.
Here’s how container clues work:
The “container”
: The clue tells you that the solution will “contain” or “enclose” another word. In our case, the “container” is a “ship.”
The “contained”
: The clue hints at a word related to the “container,” in this case, a word associated with ships or sailing.
The challenge, of course, is figuring out which word fits both the “great” and “ship” criteria.
This clue is a great example of how cryptic crosswords combine clever wordplay with a solid understanding of language and vocabulary. It’s not about simply knowing the definition of words, but about using those definitions in creative and unexpected ways.
So, are you ready to tackle this cryptic challenge? Grab a pen and paper, and let’s see if you can sail into the solution!
Available Answers:
FRIGATE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 26 June 2024