The pursuit of the perfect word, the thrill of a newly revealed letter, the sudden
aha!
moment when a tricky phrase clicks into place – that’s the magic of a good crossword. And sometimes, a
crossword clue
comes along that perfectly encapsulates this blend of straightforward language and clever misdirection, pushing us to think just a little bit harder. Today, we’re diving into one such phrase: “Hunts, with ‘on’.”
At first glance, this might seem deceptively simple. “Hunts” is a verb, we know what hunting is. But the crucial addition, “with ‘on’,” immediately elevates it from a mere definition to something more intricate. This isn’t just about the act of chasing game through the woods; it’s about how the word “hunts”
interacts
with the preposition “on” to form a new, often idiomatic, meaning. This structure is a staple in many daily
crossword puzzles
, a delightful challenge for solvers everywhere.
When you encounter a
crossword clue
like “Hunts, with ‘on’,” the first step is to shift your mindset. Don’t just think about synonyms for “hunts” in isolation. Instead, consider verbs that, when paired with “on,” create a phrase that signifies a form of searching, pursuing, or focusing intently. The “with ‘on'” isn’t a suggestion; it’s a demand that the final answer is part of a phrasal verb.
Many phrasal verbs involving “on” imply continuation, dependence, or a directed action. Think about how we use phrases like “carry on,” “dwell on,” or “keep on.” In the context of “Hunts,” the “on” likely pushes the meaning towards a sustained effort, a continuous search, or an active pursuit of something, perhaps in a less literal sense than tracking wildlife. This requires us to explore the broader semantic field of “hunts” – not just as a physical act, but as a metaphor for seeking, investigating, or following up.
This type of
crossword clue
is a masterclass in how language works. It highlights the flexibility of English verbs and prepositions to create new meanings that are often quite distinct from the individual words themselves. It’s a common tactic in
crossword puzzles
to test your knowledge of idioms and phrasal verbs, encouraging you to think beyond the most obvious dictionary definitions.
To crack clues like “Hunts, with ‘on’,” seasoned solvers often start by brainstorming verbs that mean “to search” or “to pursue.” Then, they mentally (or physically, with a pen and paper) append “on” to these verbs. Does the resulting phrase make sense? Does it align with the number of letters provided in the grid? More importantly, does it capture the essence of “hunts” but in a way that incorporates the “on” modifier? It’s a process of elimination and creative association, a true test of linguistic agility.
The satisfaction of solving such a
crossword clue
lies in unraveling this linguistic knot. It’s not just knowing the answer, but understanding
why
it’s the answer – appreciating the clever way the puzzle constructor guided you there. These are the moments that make
crossword puzzles
so enduringly popular, turning a simple grid into a daily mental workout. Keep an eye out for these “with ‘on'” clues; they’re a common and rewarding feature of the crossword landscape.
Available Answers:
PREYS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Brent Sverdloff / Ed. Patti Varol