Another week, another fantastic grid, and as always, there are those particular
crossword clues
that just demand a little extra brainpower, don’t they? You stare at them, the pen hovers, and you can almost feel the gears grinding in your mind. Sometimes they click instantly; other times, they become that delightful, nagging thought in the back of your head as you go about your day. It’s that feeling of an imminent breakthrough, the ‘aha!’ moment that keeps us coming back for more.
Today, I want to shine a light on one such gem that truly made me pause and appreciate the setter’s cleverness. It’s a seven-letter beauty that, at first glance, seems to pull you in multiple directions, yet its elegance lies in its deceptive simplicity once you unravel its layers. The
crossword clue
we’re dissecting is:
‘Shifts it back up inside, giving reasons (7)‘
.
Isn’t that just a delightful mouthful? This specific clue perfectly encapsulates why we adore cryptic puzzles. It marries a clear definition with some wonderfully evocative wordplay, sending you down a path that requires both linguistic nimbleness and a keen eye for subtle indicators.
Let’s unpack this a little, without giving away the delicious solution, of course. We’re looking for a seven-letter word that essentially means ‘reasons’ or ‘justifications.’ That’s our target, our definition, plain and simple. But as any seasoned solver knows, the real magic, and the real challenge, lies in the first part of the clue: ‘Shifts it back up inside.’
This phrase is a masterclass in cryptic misdirection and instruction. ‘Shifts it,’ ‘back up,’ ‘inside’ – each word is loaded with potential meaning in the world of cryptics. Are we looking at an anagram here, where letters are ‘shifted’? Is there a reversal indicated by ‘back up’? And what about ‘inside’? Does it imply a container element, where one word or set of letters is placed
within
another? Or perhaps it’s suggesting something is contained
within
the clue itself? The beauty is that it could be a combination, or a clever twist on a single technique. The setter has given us a rich tapestry of possibilities.
The art of solving this kind of
crossword clue
is about methodically testing these different interpretations. You identify the definition, then you scrutinize the wordplay for anagrinds, reversal indicators, hidden words, containers, or homophones. This particular clue feels like it’s winking at you, almost daring you to pick the right interpretation from its carefully chosen vocabulary. The sheer number of potential mechanisms at play makes it a truly engaging brain-teaser. It’s not just about knowing words; it’s about understanding the grammar of cryptic construction.
It’s these moments, when a challenging
crossword clue
finally yields its secret, that truly make the effort worthwhile. That spark of recognition, the satisfaction of seeing how all the pieces fit together perfectly – it’s a small victory, but a deeply satisfying one. So, take a moment with ‘Shifts it back up inside, giving reasons (7).’ What do you see? How do those cryptic elements whisper their secrets to you? It’s a fantastic example of a
crossword clue
that rewards careful thought and an understanding of the cryptic craft. Dive in and see if you can feel that ‘aha!’ moment coming…
Available Answers:
MOTIVES.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 3 September 2025