Wrangling with Wisdom: A Tricky Seven-Letter Crossword Clue
Alright, crossword enthusiasts, gather ’round! Today’s mental workout brings us face-to-face with a seven-letter beast that’s proving surprisingly slippery: “
Outclass sage (put out) (7)
“.
This seemingly straightforward clue throws a delightful curveball. At first glance, the words “Outclass” and “sage” point us toward notions of superiority and knowledge. We’re thinking of words that represent surpassing someone in skill or intellect. Then the parenthetical “put out” adds another layer. It suggests a sense of extinguishing, frustrating, or even annoying someone.
The challenge, of course, lies in seamlessly merging these seemingly disparate ideas into a single, elegant seven-letter solution. That’s the beauty (and occasional frustration) of a well-crafted cryptic crossword clue.
Let’s break down the component parts a little further. “Outclass” definitely steers us towards concepts of excelling, exceeding, or surpassing. Think about synonyms for “better than,” “superior to,” or even “dominate.” We need a word that embodies the act of overshadowing someone else.
Now consider “sage.” This instantly brings to mind images of wise old men, gurus dispensing profound advice, or simply someone possessing deep understanding. But remember, crossword clues often employ misdirection. Could “sage” be used in a less literal sense? Perhaps it’s a reference to the herb, or even someone’s name? Keeping an open mind is key to cracking this particular conundrum.
Finally, “put out” is the trickiest element. The parenthetical indicates that this isn’t simply descriptive; it’s likely part of the wordplay itself. We need to find a word that means “to extinguish,” “to frustrate,” or “to annoy,” and somehow connects to the concepts of outclassing and wisdom.
This is where the real detective work begins. Do we look for a word that literally means to “put out” a wise person? Unlikely, but don’t dismiss any possibility too quickly. More likely, we need to find a clever connection, a subtle nuance that links all three elements.
Think about the different ways someone might be “put out.” They could be irritated, inconvenienced, or even rendered speechless. Could any of these states be connected to being outclassed or encountering a sage?
The length of the word is crucial here. Seven letters gives us a specific framework. Start brainstorming seven-letter words associated with each element of the clue. What seven-letter words mean “to surpass?” What seven-letter words evoke the image of a wise person? What seven-letter words describe the act of frustrating or extinguishing?
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations. Perhaps a word meaning “to outdo” contains a hidden reference to wisdom or the act of being “put out.” Maybe a word associated with sages has a less obvious meaning related to frustration or suppression.
Ultimately, the solution will likely involve a clever bit of wordplay, a subtle double meaning, or a less-obvious synonym. The beauty of this particular clue is that it forces us to think laterally, to explore the nuances of language, and to consider the multiple layers of meaning embedded within seemingly simple words.
So, grab your dictionaries, thesauruses, and maybe a cup of tea. It’s time to put your thinking caps on and unravel this seven-letter enigma. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
UPSTAGE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 14 August 2025