Welcome, fellow word sleuths, to another dive into the fascinating world of cryptic puzzles! There’s nothing quite like that moment when a particularly intriguing
crossword clue
lands in your lap, promising a delightful brain-teaser. Today, we’re dissecting one that’s been causing quite a stir, a classic example of clever wordplay wrapped in a neat package: “Intolerant person to leave piece outside (5)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
might seem straightforward, but as seasoned solvers know, the most innocent-looking clues often hide the most cunning traps. This one, with its precise five-letter answer, is a perfect blend of definition and wordplay that truly tests your lateral thinking.
Let’s break down this intriguing
crossword clue
. We’re looking for a five-letter word, and we immediately have two distinct components to consider: the definition and the wordplay. The definition here appears to be “Intolerant person.” This is our starting point, the target concept we need to match. What kind of words, five letters long, could describe an intolerant person? Your mind might already be buzzing with possibilities, from common terms to more obscure synonyms. But hold that thought, because the real magic of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its cryptic elements.
The second part of this
crossword clue
is “to leave piece outside.” This is where the wordplay comes into full effect. It’s a classic example of how setters use misdirection and clever construction to guide you, or misguide you, to the solution. “To leave piece outside” strongly hints at a specific type of wordplay. Could it be a removal of letters from a larger word? Or perhaps it suggests something being literally on the “outside” of another word? The phrase itself has a very literal, almost physical, feel to it, which is often a strong indicator in cryptic crosswords. Is it an anagram indicator in disguise? Or perhaps a container clue, where one word sits ‘outside’ another? This particular phrasing is delightfully ambiguous, allowing for multiple lines of thought.
The beauty of such a
crossword clue
lies in how these two seemingly disparate parts – “Intolerant person” and “to leave piece outside” – must come together to form a single, coherent five-letter answer. The “Intolerant person” defines the concept, while “to leave piece outside” provides the blueprint for constructing the word. It’s a dance between meaning and construction, a hallmark of excellent crossword setting.
When faced with a
crossword clue
like this, experienced solvers often cycle through common cryptic techniques. Are we looking for a hidden word? A reversal? A charade (where parts of the word are clued separately)? Or, as the phrase “to leave piece outside” strongly suggests, some form of letter manipulation? The constraint of it being a five-letter word is crucial, limiting the scope of your search and forcing you to be precise in your deductions. Every letter matters, and every potential word must fit both the definition and the intricate wordplay.
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 how language can be twisted, turned, and reassembled. It’s about the satisfaction of that “aha!” moment when the definition clicks perfectly with the cryptic construction. Stay tuned as we unravel the full breakdown of how “Intolerant person to leave piece outside (5)” leads to its ingenious solution, and the fascinating journey of wordplay behind it.
Available Answers:
BIGOT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 22 June 2025