Here we are again, fellow word wranglers and linguistic adventurers! Another day, another grid, and inevitably, another
crossword clue
that makes you pause, smile, and perhaps even scratch your head in delightful contemplation. That’s the magic, isn’t it? The sheer satisfaction of untangling a cleverly woven piece of wordplay, the “aha!” moment when all the pieces click into place. Today, we’re diving deep into a particularly intriguing
crossword clue
that’s sure to give your brain a delightful workout:
Holding breath let icon physically fit (8)
At first glance, this
crossword clue
might seem a bit whimsical, even poetic. But for us seasoned solvers, those lyrical phrases are often the very signals of intricate construction and layers of misdirection. Let’s unpack this eight-letter marvel and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in a genuinely brilliant
crossword clue
.
The first thing any experienced solver does is hunt for the definition. In this specific
crossword clue
, “physically fit” leaps out as the most likely candidate. It’s a direct, unambiguous phrase that points straight to a characteristic or state of being. With an eight-letter answer, our minds immediately start scanning for synonyms of “physically fit” that match that precise length. Think about words that describe someone in peak condition, someone robust and healthy.
Now, for the wordplay – the engine that drives the solution to this
crossword clue
. The phrase “Holding breath let icon” is where the setter truly earns their stripes. When you see phrases like “holding,” “stirred,” “mixed,” “broken,” “gasping,” or “confused,” your internal alarm bells for an anagram should be ringing loud and clear. “Holding breath” is a fantastic example of an anagram indicator, suggesting that the letters are being held in, jumbled up, or rearranged in some way. It’s wonderfully evocative of the mental gymnastics we perform when tackling such a
crossword clue
.
But here’s where this
crossword clue
gets particularly interesting, and where it separates the casual solver from the true enthusiast. If “Holding breath” is our anagram indicator, then “let icon” must be the fodder – the letters we need to rearrange. Let’s count them: L-E-T-I-C-O-N. That’s seven letters. Our target word, however, is eight letters long.
This discrepancy immediately tells us that this isn’t a straightforward “anagram of X gives Y” type of
crossword clue
. No, this is a masterclass in subtle misdirection, a common technique setters employ to add an extra layer of challenge. It means we might need to look for a letter or two
within
the anagram indicator itself, cleverly embedded, or perhaps there’s a more nuanced interpretation of “holding breath” that suggests it contains more than just the action of jumbling. Perhaps some letters from “holding breath” are literally
held
within the resulting word, or are themselves part of the jumbled fodder. This kind of sophisticated play is what makes a
crossword clue
truly satisfying to solve.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its ability to combine misdirection with absolute fairness. There’s always a logical path, however winding, to the correct solution. When faced with a
crossword clue
like this, don’t despair! Write down “L E T I C O N” and start thinking about how those seven letters, combined with one more, could spell an eight-letter word meaning “physically fit.” Consider words where ‘L’, ‘E’, ‘T’, ‘I’, ‘C’, ‘O’, ‘N’ are prominent, and what additional letter might be necessary to complete the picture.
This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of why we love crosswords so much. It’s not just about knowing words; it’s about understanding the playful language of the setter, the conventions, and the sheer delight of a puzzle well solved. So, take another look at “Holding breath let icon physically fit (8)“. Ponder the possibilities, scribble down those letters, and see if you can feel that satisfying click as the solution emerges. We’ll delve into the full breakdown and reveal the answer in a moment, but for now, enjoy the thrill of the hunt!
Available Answers:
ATHLETIC.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 16 July 2025