The daily crossword clue can often feel like a friendly, yet formidable, challenge. There are those clues that immediately spark recognition, and then there are the ones that demand a bit more mental gymnastics, requiring you to unravel layers of meaning and context. It’s in these moments of delightful struggle that the true magic of crossword puzzles shines through, transforming a simple grid into a captivating brain teaser.
Today, we’re diving into a particular style of crossword clue that brilliantly uses colloquialisms and common phrases to nudge solvers towards the correct answer. Picture this: a clue that reads “‘Let’s put it to __’: ‘Show of hands'”. Right away, your brain likely starts buzzing, trying to connect those two seemingly disparate yet deeply intertwined ideas. The parenthetical “Show of hands” isn’t just a throwaway hint; it’s the key, the very mechanism by which the first part of the phrase is completed. This kind of wordplay is a staple in many a challenging crossword clue, asking us to think beyond the literal and into the idiomatic.
What makes this particular crossword clue so engaging? It’s the way it leverages everyday language. “Show of hands” is an action, a method of polling or making a decision. When you hear “Let’s put it to __,” your mind instantly races through various ways one might ‘put’ something – a vote, a test, a stop. But the trailing “Show of hands” narrows the field considerably, creating a focused path for the solver. This is the beauty of a well-crafted crossword clue: it guides you without giving everything away, allowing for that satisfying ‘aha!’ moment when the pieces click into place.
For seasoned crossword solvers, this type of clue often triggers a specific approach. You’re not just looking for a synonym; you’re looking for a completion, a natural fit within a common expression. The “Show of hands” part serves as a direct, albeit playful, indicator of the action implied by the first part of the phrase. It’s a classic example of how a good crossword clue can use a familiar setup to lead you to an answer that feels obvious only after you’ve found it. These are the moments that truly make daily crossword puzzles so addictive, turning a quick mental break into a rewarding cerebral workout.
So, when you encounter a crossword clue that presents a partial phrase and then gives you a telling hint in parentheses, remember to think about the action or concept being described. How does the hint illuminate the missing word? What common expressions or procedures does it evoke? The solution isn’t just a word; it’s the completion of an idea, revealed through clever wordplay. Mastering these types of crossword clues can significantly enhance your solving speed and overall enjoyment of the puzzle. It’s all about understanding the subtle signals embedded within the crossword clue itself, transforming ambiguity into clarity, one brilliant word at a time. The journey to decode such a crossword clue is a testament to the power of language and the thrill of discovery.
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Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Michael Hobin / Ed. Patti Varol