There are some days when a
crossword clue
simply sings. It offers a beguiling challenge, just enough resistance to make the eventual ‘aha!’ moment truly satisfying, yet not so much that you throw your pen across the room in frustration. This week, one particular five-letter
crossword clue
captured my attention with its elegant misdirection and clever construction: “Ignited again when roof worker turned up (5)“.
At first glance, it presents a vivid scene. You might picture a construction site, perhaps a bit of accidental re-ignition, and then a worker appearing on the roof, perhaps to extinguish it or prevent further issues. This narrative, while charming, is precisely the kind of red herring that the best cryptic
crossword clues
employ to lead you astray. Our job, as keen solvers, is to peel back these layers of surface meaning and uncover the linguistic acrobatics hidden beneath.
Let’s dissect this intriguing
crossword clue
piece by careful piece. The first part, “Ignited again,” immediately suggests a definition. What does it mean to ignite something again? To rekindle it, to set it alight once more, to cause it to burn anew. We’re looking for a five-letter word that captures this essence. Keep that definition firmly in mind, as it’s the anchor for our quest.
Now we move to the wordplay section: “when roof worker turned up.” This is where the magic of cryptic crosswords truly shines. “Roof worker” is our first component. What kind of individual works on a roof? There are several possibilities: a roofer, a tiler, a slater, even a general builder. Each of these terms carries its own set of letters and phonetic qualities, and any one could potentially be part of the solution. The trick here is to consider common, perhaps even slightly archaic, terms for such a professional, especially those that might lend themselves to further manipulation. We’re looking for a specific type of worker, one whose professional title, when subjected to the right cryptic treatment, will yield our five-letter answer.
The final piece of the puzzle, and often the most crucial indicator in a cryptic
crossword clue
, is “turned up.” This seemingly innocuous phrase is a staple in the cryptic solver’s toolkit. In the realm of crosswords, “turned up” frequently signals a reversal. If something is “turned up,” it might mean its letters are read in reverse order. Think of turning a page upside down, or a card turning from face down to face up, revealing its reverse. This indicator is a powerful signal that we’re likely dealing with a word that needs to be spelled backward.
So, bringing these elements together: we have a definition (“Ignited again”) and wordplay (“when roof worker turned up”). If “turned up” signifies a reversal, then we need to find a type of “roof worker” whose name, when spelled backward, matches our five-letter definition for “Ignited again.”
The challenge now is to cycle through the potential “roof worker” terms you considered. Which one, when reversed, magically transforms into a word meaning “ignited again”? It’s a delightful moment when these disparate parts click into place, revealing the elegance of the setter’s construction. This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of how a simple phrase can conceal a wonderfully intricate linguistic puzzle, rewarding those who take the time to deconstruct its components.
Think about the common five-letter terms for someone who works with roofing materials. What are the letters involved? Now, apply that “turned up” reversal. Does the resulting sequence of letters match your primary definition? The answer, when it comes, is often accompanied by a quiet nod of appreciation for the setter’s wit. This
crossword clue
perfectly illustrates the joy of cryptic solving – the journey from confusion to clarity, guided by the precise language of the clue itself.
It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the
crossword clue
that such intricate verbal puzzles continue to captivate and challenge us, offering a daily dose of intellectual exercise wrapped in playful language. Take a moment to ponder the possibilities, and enjoy the process of unlocking this clever little gem.
Available Answers:
RELIT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 16 September 2025