There are some crossword clues that don’t just ask for an answer; they demand your full attention, a deep dive into linguistic nuance, and an appreciation for the setter’s ingenious craft. These are the ones that linger long after the grid is filled, becoming benchmarks for brilliance in the cryptic world. This past week, one particular six-letter marvel presented itself, prompting a delightful struggle and ultimately, immense satisfaction. It was a perfect storm of misdirection and precise instruction, the kind of
crossword clue
that defines the joy of the pursuit.
The moment you read “Score disappeared amid try, gutted (6),” it’s a masterclass in immediate, compelling narrative. You instantly picture a dramatic sports moment, perhaps a crucial point vanishing from the scoreboard mid-match, leaving everyone involved utterly dejected. The image is vivid, almost cinematic, and that’s precisely where the setter hooks you. This initial, seemingly straightforward scenario is the elegant trap, leading your mind down a charming garden path while the true path to the solution lies hidden in plain sight, just beyond the clever wordplay. It’s the hallmark of a truly great
crossword clue
– one that creates a plausible real-world situation to disguise its mechanical underpinnings.
The genius of this specific
crossword clue
lies in its layers. Let’s start with that powerful six-letter definition: “gutted.” On its surface, it perfectly encapsulates the emotional fallout from a score disappearing amid an attempt. Anyone who’s ever poured their heart into something, only to see their efforts nullified, understands that profound sense of disappointment. But in the cryptic realm, “gutted” isn’t just an emotion; it’s a verb, an action. And setters are notorious for exploiting these dual meanings, turning common feelings into active instructions within the wordplay. This is where the initial emotional hook morphs into a crucial directive, guiding the solver towards a more literal interpretation.
Then we come to the operative phrase: “Score disappeared amid try.” This is where the construction of the
crossword clue
truly shines. The word “score” itself is a wonderful piece of ambiguity. It could refer to points in a game, a musical composition, or even a scratch or mark. Each interpretation sends the solver down a slightly different mental alley, each one a dead end until the correct one is identified. The phrase “disappeared amid try” is an exquisite indicator. It’s not just telling you something is gone; it’s telling you precisely where it vanished from. The word “amid” is key here, signalling an internal removal, a surgical extraction from within another word. The “try” is given to you as the host, the vessel from which something must be skillfully ‘gutted.’
The challenge, therefore, becomes a delightful linguistic puzzle: identifying which meaning of “score” is relevant and, more importantly, understanding how its “disappearance” from “try” leads directly to a six-letter word meaning “gutted.” It requires a careful deconstruction of each element, stripping away the surface narrative to reveal the precise, almost mathematical equation beneath. It’s a testament to the setter’s skill that they can weave such intricate instructions into a phrase that feels so natural and evocative. This kind of
crossword clue
is a gift, a mental workout that leaves you feeling sharper and more appreciative of the English language’s incredible versatility.
Solving such a
crossword clue
isn’t just about finding the answer; it’s about appreciating the journey. It’s the slow dawning of understanding, the gradual peeling back of layers, until the elegant mechanism of the wordplay is revealed. When that moment hits, and all the pieces slot perfectly into place, it’s not just a correct entry in the grid; it’s a small victory, a testament to cleverness on both sides of the puzzle. This particular clue, with its compelling surface and multi-faceted wordplay, stands out as a prime example of cryptic crosswording at its absolute best.
Available Answers:
TWENTY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 17 October 2025