Welcome back, fellow word wranglers and clue conquerors! Today, we’re dissecting a real gem that popped up in a recent daily crossword puzzle, a
crossword clue
that truly exemplifies the art of cryptic construction. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that makes you groan with delightful frustration before that satisfying “AHA!” moment washes over you.
The
crossword clue
in question is:
“Musician to just beat hesitation (5)“
.
Isn’t that just
beautiful
? As a
crossword clue
, it’s got all the hallmarks of a perfectly crafted, brain-teasing challenge. When you first read it, you probably, like me, found yourself immediately drawn to a few key elements. First, “Musician.” That’s your broad category, your target. It tells you exactly what kind of answer you’re looking for – someone who makes music. Five letters, too, which is always a crucial piece of the puzzle in any
crossword clue
.
But then comes the really intriguing part: “to just beat hesitation.” This is where the magic of the cryptic
crossword clue
truly shines. What does it mean “to beat hesitation”? Is it about overcoming a pause? A moment of doubt? Or is “hesitation” itself a word, or a sound, that needs to be ‘beaten’ in some clever, wordplay-driven way? This is the kind of rich, layered phrase that makes a cryptic
crossword clue
so incredibly rewarding. It’s not just a straightforward synonym or a simple definition. It’s a puzzle within a puzzle.
Many of us approach a challenging
crossword clue
like this by first identifying the definition part (the “Musician”). Then, we turn our attention to the wordplay. Is it an anagram? A charade (where parts of the word are clued separately)? A hidden word? Or perhaps a homophone, where the answer sounds like something else? The brilliance of this particular
crossword clue
lies in how it subtly directs your thoughts, leading you down intriguing paths before the correct one reveals itself.
When tackling a
crossword clue
of this caliber, my mind starts to wander through possibilities. What sounds do we associate with “hesitation”? How could a musician ‘beat’ or ‘overcome’ such a sound, or even a feeling? The word “beat” itself is multi-layered, especially when linked to a “musician.” Is it a musical beat? To defeat something? To strike something? This deliberate ambiguity is what makes a great
crossword clue
so engaging. It encourages you to explore different interpretations of common words.
This specific
crossword clue
is a masterclass in misdirection and elegant wordplay. It forces you to think beyond the literal, to consider the nuances of language and how words can be twisted and turned to create a satisfying mental exercise. It’s a classic example of why we love cryptic crosswords – they challenge our assumptions and expand our linguistic horizons.
So, when you encountered this
crossword clue
, what was your initial approach? Did you instantly spot the clever wordplay, or did you, like many of us, spend a delightful moment or two pondering the various meanings of “beat” and “hesitation” before the solution illuminated itself? Share your thought process in the comments below! It’s always fascinating to see how different solvers unpack the brilliance of a truly great
crossword clue
.
Available Answers:
PIPER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 28 June 2025