Welcome back, fellow word-wranglers and clue-connoisseurs! Today’s deep dive takes us into the delightful, often devious, world of cryptic crossword clues with a real gem that landed on my desk recently. It’s the kind of crossword clue that makes you smile when you finally crack it, but might have you staring blankly for a good while before that glorious “aha!” moment arrives.
The particular crossword clue we’re dissecting today reads: ‘Russian dramatist, say, will finish work (5,3)‘. Just reading it, you can almost hear the setter chuckling to themselves, can’t you? It immediately signals that classic cryptic misdirection, drawing you into its perfectly crafted surface reading. For many, the initial thought might race straight to names like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, perhaps even a lesser-known playwright, trying to fit them into that neat (5,3) structure. But the seasoned cryptic solver knows better than to be caught by the obvious.
That crucial little word, ‘say’, is a true beacon in the landscape of cryptic crossword clues. It’s almost always a reliable indicator of a homophone, urging you to listen closely to the sound of a word rather than its spelling. So, while your brain might initially fixate on famous figures from Russian literature, the ‘say’ whispers, ‘Listen carefully to what a “Russian dramatist” might
sound
like.’ This immediately shifts your focus from a direct name to something that simply
alludes
to it acoustically. It’s a beautifully subtle trick that setters employ to elevate a crossword clue from mere definition to a clever linguistic puzzle.
Then we have the second half of this ingenious crossword clue: ‘will finish work’. Now, ‘work’ itself can be quite ambiguous in a cryptic context. Is it referring to employment? A creative piece, like a play or novel? Or is it something more abstract? And ‘finish’ – does it mean to complete something, to bring it to an end, or perhaps the last part of a word or phrase? The beauty of a well-constructed crossword clue lies in these layers of meaning, forcing you to consider all possibilities before settling on the most elegant fit. It’s about peeling back those layers of meaning, one by one, until the true intent of the setter is revealed.
This particular crossword clue exemplifies why we love cryptic crosswords so much. It’s not just about knowing facts or vocabulary; it’s about understanding the unique language of the setter. It tests your lateral thinking, your ability to play with words, and your ear for subtle nuances. The combination of a cleverly disguised homophone for one part of the answer and a seemingly straightforward, yet subtly ambiguous, definition for the other, creates a truly satisfying challenge. It’s a masterclass in how a compact phrase can hide a multi-faceted solution.
When you finally see the connection, when the pieces click into place for this crossword clue, there’s a real sense of accomplishment. It’s that moment where the light bulb goes on, and you realize just how brilliantly simple the solution was all along, hidden in plain sight. It reminds us that every crossword clue, no matter how intimidating it seems at first glance, holds its secrets, waiting for the patient and persistent solver to uncover them.
So, what were your initial thoughts on this ‘Russian dramatist’ crossword clue? Did the ‘say’ immediately point you in the right direction, or did you find yourself down a literary rabbit hole? Share your solving journey with this kind of challenging crossword clue in the comments below – I’m always fascinated to hear how different minds approach these linguistic puzzles!
Available Answers:
CHECKOFF.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 10 July 2025