There are those crossword clues that simply make your day, aren’t there? The ones that snag your attention, refuse to let go, and then, with a click, reveal a delightful twist you never saw coming. Today, we’re diving into one such gem that’s been circulating and sparking conversations among solvers: “Like some starts and returns.”
At first glance, this particular crossword clue appears deceptively simple. “Starts” and “returns” are common words, carrying a multitude of meanings. You might initially think of a car engine
starting
up, or perhaps a student
returning
to school after a break. Maybe it’s about the
starts
of a race, or the
returns
on an investment. This is precisely where the brilliant mind of the crossword setter comes into play. They’ve given us a crossword clue that leverages the inherent ambiguity of everyday language, leading us down a path of plausible, yet ultimately incorrect, interpretations.
This isn’t just any ordinary crossword clue; it’s a masterclass in misdirection. The setter knows how our brains work, how we instinctively gravitate towards the most common or literal definitions. But the magic of a truly great crossword clue lies in its ability to make us pivot, to think beyond the obvious, and to explore the less trodden linguistic paths. “Like some starts and returns” is a prime example of a crossword clue that forces this mental gymnastics. It demands a shift in perspective, a willingness to consider meanings that might, at first blush, seem entirely unrelated to the primary contexts of “starts” and “returns.”
Solving a challenging crossword clue like this isn’t just about filling in squares; it’s about engaging with the artistry of language. It’s an exercise in lateral thinking, a playful battle of wits with the constructor. Every time you encounter a crossword clue that makes you pause, that forces you to dig deeper into your vocabulary and your understanding of wordplay, you’re sharpening your mind and strengthening those crucial cognitive connections. This specific crossword clue is a testament to the setter’s cleverness, transforming familiar words into a puzzling enigma that, once solved, elicits that satisfying “aha!” moment.
When approaching a tricky crossword clue such as this, seasoned solvers know to consider all angles. Is it a pun? A homophone? A hidden word? Does it refer to a specific field, like sports, finance, or even knitting? The beauty of “Like some starts and returns” lies in how it cleverly blends into various contexts, making it universally relatable while simultaneously narrowing down the true path to the solution. It’s the kind of crossword clue that you might stare at for a while, perhaps even walk away from, only for the answer to pop into your head when you least expect it – a testament to the subconscious work our minds do when presented with a truly engaging intellectual challenge.
This isn’t merely a test of vocabulary; it’s a test of intuition, of pattern recognition, and of the ability to connect seemingly disparate concepts. It’s why we keep coming back to the daily crossword, eager for the next puzzle, the next clever crossword clue that will push our boundaries and reward our persistence. “Like some starts and returns” is one of those wonderfully crafted clues that exemplifies everything we love about the daily grid: its wit, its subtlety, and its profound capacity to surprise and delight. In the full post, we’ll unravel the linguistic thread of this crossword clue, exploring
why
it’s so brilliant and how it perfectly encapsulates the art of crossword construction.
Available Answers:
FALSE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –LA Times Crossword, Fri, Jun 13, 2025
Washington Post Crossword -Friday’s Daily By Katherine Simonson / Ed. Patti Varol