Oh, the tantalizing dance of a truly brilliant crossword clue! Today, we’re diving into one that conjures such vivid imagery, you can almost smell the chocolate – and then perhaps recoil slightly. The cryptic crossword clue in question? “Lift out Hershey wrappers – grubby! (6)“.
Just reading it paints a picture, doesn’t it? A rumpled pile of iridescent foil, sticky remnants clinging to the edges, perhaps rescued from the couch cushions or the bottom of a backpack. The “Hershey wrappers” part is so specific, so tactile, bringing an immediate real-world scenario to mind. And then, that emphatic “grubby!” – a perfectly clear, unmistakable definition for our six-letter target. There’s no ambiguity there; we know exactly what kind of word we’re hunting for in this particular crossword clue.
But the magic, the true head-scratcher, the delightful twist that sets a cryptic crossword clue apart, lies in those opening words: “Lift out”. Ah, “Lift out”! A deceptively simple phrase that, in the intricate world of cryptic crosswords, can be a master of disguise. What does it truly signify for this particular crossword clue?
Is it an instruction to literally extract letters from the following words? Does it hint at an anagram, a jumble of letters from “Hershey wrappers” waiting to be rearranged into something cohesive and, well, grubby? Or is it a more subtle indicator, suggesting that the entire scenario of “lifting out Hershey wrappers”
is
intrinsically linked to the resulting state of “grubby” – almost a descriptive vignette pointing directly to our answer? This is where the beauty of a well-crafted crossword clue truly shines. The solver is invited to ponder the multiple layers of meaning, to dissect the verb phrase and consider its various applications in solving crosswords.
Consider the potential techniques for this crossword clue. If “Lift out” means to remove certain letters, which letters, and from where? From “Hershey” itself? From “wrappers”? Or perhaps from the combined pool of letters within “Hershey wrappers”? And if it’s an anagram, what combination of letters, when ‘lifted out’ and scrambled, results in a six-letter word for ‘grubby’? The joy of deciphering such a crossword clue comes from exploring these avenues, eliminating possibilities, and homing in on the ingenious mechanism the setter has employed. It’s a classic example of a clue that seems to offer its meaning plainly, only to hide a delightful linguistic puzzle beneath the surface. Each word in a cryptic crossword clue is chosen with precision, and “Lift out” here is no exception. It’s the key that unlocks the whole thing, but finding the right lock for it can be quite the cerebral workout, distinguishing a simple crossword puzzle from a truly engaging challenge.
This “Lift out Hershey wrappers – grubby! (6)” crossword clue is a prime example of why we love solving crosswords. It’s evocative, it’s challenging, and it forces us to think beyond the obvious. It’s a wonderful piece of wordplay that perfectly encapsulates the charm of a well-designed crossword puzzle. What’s your take on it? How did you approach this delightful piece of wordplay? Share your thoughts – but remember, no spoilers for those still wrestling with this brilliant crossword puzzle!
Available Answers:
FILTHY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 5 November 2025