He has to tangle men up (9): Unraveling the Cryptic Clue
Ah, the joys of a good cryptic crossword! Those little squares of white, filled with the promise of intellectual challenge and the sweet satisfaction of a correctly solved puzzle. But sometimes, a clue comes along that throws you for a loop, leaving you staring at the grid with a furrowed brow.
This week, we’re tackling a particularly tricky one: “He has to tangle men up (9).” This cryptic clue is a real head-scratcher, but with a bit of logic and a healthy dose of lateral thinking, we can crack it wide open.
Breaking Down the Clue
The first step in deciphering any cryptic clue is to break it down into its constituent parts. We have a “definition” – the meaning of the answer – and a “wordplay” element – a hint that helps us arrive at the answer.
In this case, the definition is “He has to tangle men up.” This suggests a person or an entity responsible for creating confusion or entangling people in some way.
The wordplay element is a bit more ambiguous. “Tangle men up” could refer to a physical act of entanglement, like a wrestling match or a game of tug-of-war. It could also refer to a more figurative entanglement, like a web of deceit or a complex situation.
Where to Begin?
The challenge here is to find a word that fits both the definition and the wordplay. We need a word that implies both a person who creates confusion and a way of physically or metaphorically entangling people.
It’s tempting to go down the path of literal tangling, but remember, cryptic clues often play with language and double meanings.
Let’s explore the different angles:
The person who entangles:
Think about roles or figures that are known for creating chaos or confusing situations. Could it be a politician, a lawyer, a detective, or a trickster?
The act of entangling:
Consider different ways people can be tangled up. It could be through physical actions, like a game or a battle, or through verbal manipulation, like a debate or a trick.
Unraveling the Mystery
This clue demands we think outside the box, exploring different possibilities and connecting seemingly disparate concepts.
Are you ready to tackle this challenge? The answer is hiding somewhere in the tangled web of words, waiting to be discovered.
So, put on your detective hat, grab a pencil, and let’s crack this cryptic riddle together!
Available Answers:
GENTLEMAN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 25 June 2024