Cracking the Code: “Hugging and dancing can be grim (9)“
Ah, the joy of a good crossword puzzle! That moment of triumph when you finally crack a tricky clue, the satisfying click of the pen as you fill in the answer… there’s nothing quite like it. But sometimes, those clues can leave you scratching your head. Take today’s puzzle, for example.
“Hugging and dancing can be grim (9)” – a cryptic clue that’s got me pondering. It’s got that classic cryptic twist, where the words themselves are a red herring, leading you down a path of false assumptions.
Is it a type of dance that’s known for its somber mood? Or perhaps a word that describes a person who’s awkward at both hugging and dancing? The “grim” part throws in another layer of complexity – is it something that’s unpleasant, dark, or simply serious?
Let’s break down the clue and see what we can deduce:
“Hugging and dancing”
– This part of the clue is clearly a misdirection, as it’s unlikely to be the direct answer. However, it could be hinting at a word that relates to both actions in some way.
“Can be”
– This phrase suggests that the answer isn’t a literal description of hugging or dancing, but rather something that they can represent.
“Grim”
– This is the key word. It tells us that the answer has a negative connotation.
We’re looking for a 9-letter word that connects to both hugging and dancing and has a negative connotation. It’s a challenging clue, but I’m confident that with a bit of deduction and a little bit of lateral thinking, we can crack this code!
Let me know what you think in the comments! Have you managed to solve this cryptic puzzle? What’s your strategy for tackling tough crossword clues? Let’s discuss and see if we can crack this mystery together!
Available Answers:
EMBRACING.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 3 July 2024