The hum of a quiet morning, a freshly brewed coffee, and a brand-new crossword laid out before you – there’s a certain magic to that ritual, isn’t there? And then, you hit
that
clue. The one that makes you pause, scratch your head, and maybe even let out an involuntary chuckle as the layers begin to peel back. These are the moments we live for as solvers, the delightful mental gymnastics that make the pursuit of a tricky
crossword clue
so utterly captivating.
Today, we’re spotlighting one such gem that recently caught my eye and, frankly, sent me on a delightful detour down the rabbit hole of wordplay and lateral thinking. It’s the kind of cryptic
crossword clue
that initially seems to be narrating a whimsical scene, almost like a miniature play unfolding on the page: “Schoolteacher takes on swimming style – a skilful manoeuvre (6,6).”
Doesn’t that just paint a picture? A diligent educator, perhaps by day, suddenly diving into the pool with unexpected grace, adopting a specific aquatic posture. But as any seasoned solver knows, with cryptic crosswords, what you see is rarely what you get, at least not at first glance. The surface reading is often a delightful misdirection, designed to lead you down a scenic but ultimately incorrect path. This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of that cunning artistry.
Let’s break down the intrigue without giving too much away, because the true joy lies in the unraveling. Firstly, we have “Schoolteacher.” Immediately, your mind might leap to famous fictional teachers, or perhaps even literal schools of fish. But in the realm of cryptic
crossword clue
construction, every word is a potential component of a larger linguistic puzzle. Is “schoolteacher” a literal definition? Is it part of an anagram? Does it hint at something far more abstract? The possibilities are boundless, and that’s precisely why we love these puzzles.
Then comes “takes on swimming style.” This phrase is pregnant with possibilities. “Takes on” could mean to assume a role, to adopt a characteristic, or even to engage in a challenge. And “swimming style”? Well, there are a few well-known strokes that spring to mind. But how does a schoolteacher, in the wordplay sense, intertwine with a specific method of propulsion through water? This is where the magic of the cryptic
crossword clue
truly begins to shimmer.
Finally, we have the definitional part of the clue: “a skilful manoeuvre.” This tells us what the answer
is
, once all the wordplay is deciphered. It assures us that whatever the combination of the teacher and the swimming style yields, it must embody skill and a certain artfulness of execution. The (6,6) letter count is our trusty guide, confirming we’re looking for two six-letter words that, together, perfectly encapsulate both the clever wordplay and the ultimate definition.
This particular
crossword clue
is a masterclass in combining disparate elements into a cohesive and incredibly satisfying solution. It’s the kind of clue that, once solved, elicits an “aha!” moment, a feeling of intellectual victory that only a beautifully constructed cryptic puzzle can provide. It reminds us why we return to our daily
crossword clue
challenges again and again, eager to untangle the linguistic knots and celebrate the ingenuity of the setters.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the world of challenging clues and clever solutions, uncovering the secrets behind the most enigmatic entries. For now, ponder this intriguing scenario of a schoolteacher and their aquatic transformation. What kind of skilful manoeuvre could possibly bridge such a gap? The answer, as always, is elegantly hidden in plain sight, just waiting for the astute
crossword clue
enthusiast to find it.
Available Answers:
MASTERSTROKE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 16 August 2025