Alright, fellow word enthusiasts, pull up a chair! Today, we’re sinking our claws into a particularly intriguing cryptic crossword clue that’s been making the rounds. If you love a good challenge, especially one that blends cunning wordplay with a dash of natural history, then you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just any
crossword clue
; it’s a masterclass in misdirection.
Our focus for today’s deep dive is the seven-letter stunner:
“Like a big cat, one disturbed in row (7)“
.
Let’s begin by dissecting the definition part of this fascinating
crossword clue
: “Like a big cat.” This paints a clear picture, doesn’t it? We’re looking for an animal, specifically a member of the feline family known for its size and power. Think majestically, think apex predator. The parenthetical “(7)” tells us our answer is a seven-letter word. Simple enough, right? If only cryptic crossword clues were always that straightforward!
Now, for the real brain-teaser, the wordplay: “one disturbed in row.” This is where the magic, and sometimes the delightful frustration, of a cryptic
crossword clue
truly lies.
The immediate standout here is “disturbed.” In the world of cryptic puzzles, “disturbed” is a very strong, almost universally accepted, indicator for an anagram. This means the letters of some part of the clue need to be rearranged to form our answer. So, we know we’re looking for an anagram of something.
But what exactly are we anagranming? This is where the clue starts to get delightfully tricky.
Consider “one.” What could “one” signify in a cryptic context? Is it literally the word “one”? Or perhaps the letter ‘I’ (as in, the Roman numeral for one)? Sometimes “one” can even subtly hint at a specific letter based on a characteristic it shares with that letter. This little word carries a lot of potential weight in a
crossword clue
.
Then we have “in row.” Does “in row” suggest that something is literally “inside” the word “row”? Or is “row” simply part of the anagram fodder? And here’s another classic cryptic twist: the word “row” itself has two common pronunciations and meanings. Does it mean a line (like a row of seats), or a noisy argument (like a spat or a quarrel)? The beauty of this
crossword clue
is how it plays on these dual interpretations. Depending on which meaning you lean towards, your path to the solution might twist and turn.
Now, let’s put it all together and consider the elephant in the room – or should I say, the big cat. If we combine the letters of “one,” “in,” and “row,” we get a total of eight letters (O, N, E, I, N, R, O, W). Yet, our target answer is only seven letters long! This is a classic cryptic
crossword clue
device: the wordplay fodder is subtly longer than the actual answer, implying that one letter, or perhaps a specific interpretation, needs to be discarded or overlooked. This requires a very precise understanding of how “disturbed” interacts with “one” and “in row.” It’s not just an anagram of everything, but an anagram with a clever condition.
This specific
crossword clue
truly exemplifies the elegance and clever misdirection that makes cryptic puzzles so addictive. It asks you to think beyond the obvious, to consider multiple meanings, and to apply your knowledge of common cryptic indicators with precision.
So, what’s your take on this fascinating
crossword clue
? How do you unravel “one disturbed in row” to arrive at that majestic feline? The challenge is set! Share your thoughts on the wordplay below – but remember, no spoilers for the answer! Let’s keep the mystery alive for those still wrestling with this brilliant clue. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
LEONINE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 8 August 2025