There’s nothing quite like that ‘aha!’ moment when a tricky crossword clue finally clicks into place. It’s a feeling every dedicated solver lives for, a testament to the elegant dance between language, logic, and a dash of lateral thinking. Some days, the answers flow like a gentle stream; other times, you hit a wall, staring blankly at a cleverly disguised crossword clue that seems impenetrable.
Today, we’re diving into one such gem that recently graced the grids: “Mountain expert’s turn of phrase (6).” At first glance, it’s a wonderfully evocative crossword clue, promising a blend of specialized knowledge and linguistic flair. It’s got all the hallmarks of a classic head-scratcher, the kind that makes you pause, chuckle, and then kick yourself for not seeing it sooner.
Let’s dissect this intriguing crossword clue. We have “Mountain expert,” immediately drawing our minds to concepts of altitude, climbing, perhaps even geology or meteorology. What does a ‘mountain expert’ truly
do
? What vocabulary might they employ? Your mind might race through terms like ‘alpinist,’ ‘climber,’ ‘geologist,’ or even ‘sherpa,’ but remember, we’re looking for a specific type of expression.
Then comes “turn of phrase.” This is the linguistic signal, a clear indicator that we’re dealing with an idiom, a saying, or some kind of idiomatic expression. It’s not just a single word definition; it’s about how words are used together in a non-literal sense. This aspect of the crossword clue often requires a deeper dive into common English expressions, sometimes even those that have slipped slightly out of mainstream use but are still perfectly valid.
The brilliance of this particular crossword clue lies in how it marries these two distinct elements. It’s not simply asking for a synonym for a mountaineer, nor is it just asking for a random idiom. The trick, as is often the case with the most satisfying crossword clues, is in the subtle wordplay, the way one element cleverly hints at the other, or how the literal meaning is twisted to form a new, unexpected connection.
Many solvers might initially go down a rabbit hole, trying to think of specific mountaineering jargon. Are there particular phrases used only by those who scale peaks? While that’s a valid initial thought, the “turn of phrase” part of the crossword clue guides us away from pure technicality and towards something more broadly understood, albeit with a clever twist relevant to the “mountain expert” context.
This is the kind of crossword clue that can sit stubbornly in your grid for a while, just out of reach. You might have all the surrounding letters filled in, offering tempting hints, but until that specific ‘click’ happens, it remains elusive. It’s about letting your mind wander, making connections that aren’t immediately obvious, and trusting that the setter has crafted something genuinely clever.
Think about the
essence
of a ‘mountain expert.’ What do they achieve? What is their relationship with heights and descents? And how can that be interpreted in a way that forms a common expression? It’s a masterclass in misdirection and revelation, a truly satisfying crossword clue that perfectly encapsulates the joy of linguistic discovery.
So, if you’ve been wrestling with this six-letter challenge, take a moment. Re-read the crossword clue. Let the words resonate. The answer, when it finally dawns on you, is likely to elicit a smile, perhaps even a groan of playful exasperation at how elegantly simple, yet perfectly hidden, it truly is. We’ll explore the solution and its clever mechanics in just a moment, but first, take one last shot at this fantastic example of a well-crafted crossword clue.
Available Answers:
SHERPA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 24 June 2025