Welcome back, fellow wordplay enthusiasts and cryptic champions! There’s a distinct thrill that washes over you when you first lay eyes on a perfectly crafted crossword clue. It’s that blend of challenge and tantalizing promise, the whisper of a hidden answer just waiting to be unearthed. And today, oh boy, do we have a delicious little morsel for your grey matter to chew on.
For those of us who live and breathe the intricacies of the daily crossword puzzle, we know that some clues just leap off the page, demanding our immediate attention. They wink at us, daring us to unravel their secrets, often hiding in plain sight behind a veil of clever misdirection. It’s what makes the cryptic crossword clue such a captivating pursuit – the sheer artistry involved in packing so much meaning, and so much delightful trickery, into a single line of text.
Today’s focus is a particularly intriguing crossword clue that landed on my desk, and I simply couldn’t resist sharing it with you all. It’s got all the hallmarks of a classic, elegant construction, promising a satisfying “aha!” moment once the penny finally drops. So, without further ado, let’s cast our eyes upon this gem:
In-form person chews her chocolates (13)
Just reading it, you can almost taste the wordplay, can’t you? Thirteen letters long – that’s a good chunk of real estate for a solution, suggesting a word with a bit of substance, or perhaps a compound word. This specific crossword clue immediately flags up several potential avenues of attack, which is exactly what we want in a well-constructed cryptic.
The first thing that often jumps out at seasoned solvers when tackling a crossword clue of this nature is the sheer length of the phrase “chews her chocolates.” When you see a relatively long phrase that sounds a bit out of place, or perhaps just a little too descriptive, your cryptic radar should be screaming “anagram!” Anagrams are a staple of the cryptic crossword clue, where the letters of one part of the clue are jumbled to form the solution. The word “chews” could very well be an anagram indicator, hinting that the letters within “her chocolates” need to be rearranged. Or perhaps “chews her chocolates” itself is the fodder for the anagram, with “chews” acting as the instruction. It’s a delightful ambiguity that forces us to consider all possibilities.
Then there’s the first part of the crossword clue: “In-form person.” This looks like the definition – the actual meaning of the word we’re trying to find. But in cryptic crosswords, definitions can be incredibly deceptive. They might be a straight synonym, or they could be a much more abstract, lateral connection. “In-form person” suggests someone who is performing well, or someone who has a particular shape or characteristic. The hyphen in “in-form” is also something to pay attention to; sometimes it’s there for a reason, sometimes it’s just to throw you off. A good cryptic crossword clue often plays with these subtleties.
What makes this particular crossword clue so compelling is how well the two parts – the definition and the wordplay – seem to blend. There’s a certain logical flow to “In-form person chews her chocolates,” as if one naturally leads to the other, even though we know cryptically it’s a cunning misdirection. It’s not just a random collection of words; there’s a narrative, albeit a short one, that adds to its charm and the difficulty of instantly seeing the solution.
When faced with such a captivating crossword clue, it’s always helpful to break it down. Consider the potential anagram of “her chocolates” and what words could be formed from those letters. Does any of those words fit the definition of an “in-form person”? Think about synonyms for “in-form” or phrases that describe someone who is “in form.” Could there be a double meaning hidden within “chocolates” or “person”? The beauty of a brilliant cryptic crossword clue is its ability to hold multiple interpretations until the moment of revelation.
So, take a moment. Ponder this intriguing crossword clue. Let your mind wander through the possibilities. What leaps out at you? What anagrams can you spot? How does “In-form person” connect to the rest of the clue? The joy of the crossword puzzle isn’t just in finding the answer, but in the journey of discovery, the mental gymnastics required to navigate the clever twists and turns.
We’ll dive deeper into the full solution and the precise mechanics of this superb crossword clue in our next update. But for now, let the contemplation begin!
Available Answers:
SCHOOLTEACHER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 10 July 2025