Have nothing further to do with dear tie-up (9)

Decoding the Ties That Bind: A Cryptic Crossword Conundrum

Ah, the joy of a good cryptic crossword! That moment when you finally decipher the wordplay, the satisfaction of seeing the letters fill the grid – it’s a feeling like no other. But sometimes, even the most seasoned crossword solver can find themselves stumped.

Today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing clue:

“Have nothing further to do with dear tie-up (9).”

This one has a bit of a deceptive quality to it, making it a perfect example of the kind of clever wordplay that cryptic crosswords are known for.

Let’s break it down, shall we?

“Have nothing further to do with” suggests an action of separation, a severing of ties. The “dear tie-up” adds a touch of familiarity and implies a close connection, perhaps even a relationship.

But how do we combine these elements into a single, nine-letter word? Is it a verb, an adjective, a noun?

The clue’s structure is intriguing. The nine-letter count gives us a good starting point.

Now, let’s think about the individual words. “Dear” could be a simple adjective, but it might also be a clue in itself, a hint at a specific type of word. “Tie-up” is trickier. It could be a literal tie-up, a knot, or it could be a figurative phrase referring to a situation or a problem.

As crossword solvers, we must be prepared for the unexpected. The answer could be something completely obvious, hiding in plain sight, or it could be a more obscure word, requiring a bit of lateral thinking.

This is where the beauty of cryptic crosswords lies. They challenge us to think creatively, to look beyond the surface and uncover the hidden meanings.

So, take a deep breath, sharpen your pencil, and join me on this journey to unravel the mystery of this cryptic clue. Let’s see what we can find!

Available Answers:

REPUDIATE.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 29 October 2024