The daily ritual of tackling a fresh crossword clue is one of life’s true delights, isn’t it? That moment when you first scan the grid, then dive into the cryptic depths, searching for that elusive connection between words and meaning. Some days, the answers leap out; other times, a single, deceptively simple-looking crossword clue can stop you dead in your tracks, demanding a second, third, or even fourth cup of coffee.
Today, we’re zeroing in on a fantastic example of a clever construction that often leaves solvers chuckling once the penny drops: “Keen on badminton, in part (4)“. What a beauty! At first glance, it might seem like a straightforward definition, perhaps hinting at some aspect of the sport itself, or a synonym for enthusiasm. But savvy crossword aficionados will immediately spot those two crucial words at the end: “in part”. Ah, the magic words!
For anyone new to the wonderful world of cryptic and semi-cryptic crosswords, “in part” is a classic indicator, a friendly little wink from the setter. It tells you that the answer isn’t a synonym or an anagram, nor is it a complex bit of wordplay needing a deep dive into obscure knowledge. Instead, it’s a hidden gem, literally nestled somewhere within the very words of the clue itself. Yes, you heard that right! The solution to this crossword clue is a contiguous sequence of letters found
inside
“Keen on badminton”.
This type of hidden word crossword clue is a favourite of many solvers because it rewards close observation rather than extensive vocabulary. It’s like finding a secret message. Your task is to carefully scan the entire phrase, “Keen on badminton”, looking for a four-letter word that flows naturally from one part of the phrase to another. It could span across words, or be entirely contained within one word. The trick is not to let your brain get bogged down by the surface meaning of “keen on badminton” but to treat it purely as a string of letters.
Think of it as an exercise in pattern recognition. You slide your gaze along the letters, k-e-e-n-o-n-b-a-d-m-i-n-t-o-n, searching for any four-letter sequence that forms a legitimate English word. Don’t overthink the connection to badminton or keenness; that’s just misdirection, albeit a very artful one. The setter wants you to focus on the “in part” instruction. It’s a wonderful example of how precision in clue-setting can guide, or delightfully mislead, the solver.
The brilliance of such a crossword clue lies in its simplicity once you know the mechanism. Before that “aha!” moment, however, it can be maddeningly elusive. You might try breaking “Keen on badminton” into its constituent words, “keen,” “on,” “badminton,” and then examine the overlaps. Does “on” combine with the start of “badminton” to form something? Does “keen” blend with “on”? Or is the entire word tucked away somewhere in the middle of “badminton”? The possibilities might seem endless, but with only four letters to find, it’s a finite, manageable search.
This specific four-letter crossword clue provides that perfect balance of challenge and satisfaction. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the answer isn’t hidden in plain sight because it’s too complex, but because it’s
too
plain. You’re looking for something that just fits. Give it a try, carefully re-reading the phrase “Keen on badminton,” and let your eyes search for that four-letter segment. The joy of solving this kind of crossword clue is immense, proving that a little bit of lateral thinking and an understanding of the setter’s tools can unlock even the trickiest of puzzles.
Happy solving!
Available Answers:
INTO.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 6 August 2025