You know that feeling. The pen hovers over the grid, a familiar sense of triumph just out of reach because one elusive
crossword clue
refuses to yield. It’s a common experience for anyone who regularly tackles the daily puzzle, a delightful mental tug-of-war where every letter counts and every synonym holds a key. Today, we’re diving into a particularly intriguing example, one that blends subtle nuance with a precise definition, inviting us to explore the hidden depths of language.
The specific
crossword clue
at hand is ‘Hides, keeps secret (8)‘. On the surface, it seems straightforward. Two clear synonyms point us in a definite direction, and the eight-letter count gives us a solid parameter. But as any seasoned solver knows, simplicity in a crossword can often be the most deceptive trap. The art of the setter lies in crafting clues that are both perfectly accurate and fiendishly elusive, leading you down garden paths of plausible but ultimately incorrect solutions.
Unpacking this
crossword clue
begins, as always, with its components. We have two verbs: “hides” and “keeps secret.” While closely related, there’s a subtle distinction. “Hides” can refer to physical concealment – stashing something away, making it invisible. “Keeps secret,” on the other hand, often implies a more informational or emotional withholding – guarding knowledge, preventing disclosure. The brilliant part of this clue is that the solution must perfectly encompass both aspects, a word that seamlessly bridges the physical and the abstract.
Our initial brain dump for “hides” might bring up words like ‘conceal,’ ‘bury,’ or ‘obscure.’ For “keeps secret,” we might think of ‘withhold,’ ‘suppress,’ or ‘confide’ (though the latter is an antonym, it’s part of the mental web). The challenge then becomes finding the eight-letter word that fits both bills without a hitch. Is it a word primarily about physical concealment that also implies a secret? Or a word about secrets that inherently involves putting something out of sight? This is where the precise vocabulary of the English language truly shines, and where the setter’s choice becomes paramount.
The beauty of this particular
crossword clue
is how it forces us to consider the various shades of meaning. Does the word imply an active effort to keep something out of sight, or a passive state of being hidden? Is it about personal information, or tangible objects? These subtle distinctions are what separate a good guess from the truly satisfying “aha!” moment that defines crossword solving.
When tackling such a clue, it’s always beneficial to think about the broader context of the puzzle. Are there any intersecting letters already filled in from other clues? Those crossing letters are invaluable navigational tools, often eliminating dozens of possibilities and narrowing down the field considerably. Sometimes, it’s not about finding the perfect word for the clue in isolation, but finding the one that
fits
the pattern of the grid.
So, ponder this: what eight-letter word acts as a perfect synonym for both “hides” and “keeps secret”? It’s a word that suggests an intentional act of concealment, whether of an object, a fact, or an emotion. It’s a common enough verb, yet in the context of this
crossword clue
, it asks us to delve deeper into its full semantic range. The satisfaction of unearthing that precise word is what makes the daily crossword such a consistently rewarding mental exercise. Keep those dictionaries close and those minds sharp!
Available Answers:
CONCEALS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Friday, 11 July 2025