Cracking the Code: ‘Small man admitting it!’ (6) – A Crossword Clue That Packs a Punch!
Every now and then, a crossword clue lands on your grid that just… makes you pause. It’s not necessarily the hardest clue you’ve ever encountered, but it’s got that delightful blend of misdirection and cleverness that makes you nod in appreciation once the penny drops. Today, we’re diving into one such gem: ‘Small man admitting it! (6)‘. This particular six-letter crossword clue is a prime example of how setters combine seemingly disparate ideas into a perfectly formed answer, leaving solvers both stumped and ultimately delighted.
Let’s break down this intriguing crossword clue. The phrase ‘Small man’ immediately conjures images of diminutive figures. Is it a literal reference to stature? Or is the setter hinting at something more metaphorical? In the vibrant world of cryptic crossword clues, ‘man’ can often be a stand-in for a variety of common masculine names or even a specific male pronoun. And ‘small’ – well, that could indicate a prefix, a suffix, or simply a descriptor of the final answer’s core meaning. The beauty here lies in the ambiguity. Is it a little fellow, a tiny chap, or perhaps a concept related to a reduced state? Unpacking this part of the crossword clue is a crucial first step for any solver.
Then we come to the second half of this fascinating crossword clue: ‘admitting it!’. This phrase strongly implies a declaration, a confession, or a verbal acknowledgement. It’s an active statement. How does one ‘admit’? Typically, through speech, through a statement, or a direct declaration. This part of the clue is often where the action, or the ‘doing’ word, of the answer resides. When you combine ‘admitting it!’ with the preceding ‘Small man,’ the puzzle setter is daring you to find the nexus where a diminutive person or concept issues a specific type of declaration. The exclamation mark itself often signals a direct action or a call to attention, reinforcing the verbal nature of this part of the crossword clue, nudging you towards a spoken outcome.
The real genius of such a crossword clue lies in how these two seemingly unrelated elements – a ‘small man’ and the act of ‘admitting it!’ – coalesce into a single, six-letter word. It’s not about finding two separate words and mashing them together; it’s about discovering the elegant solution where one concept cleverly leads to the other. Seasoned solvers often find themselves cycling through various synonyms for ‘small,’ for ‘man,’ and for ‘admitting,’ trying to find that perfect fit. It’s a testament to the setter’s craft that they can take such seemingly straightforward concepts and twist them into something that requires a genuine ‘aha!’ moment. This particular crossword clue challenges you to think beyond the obvious, to delve into the nuances of language and the delightful trickery inherent in a well-crafted puzzle. It’s about more than just definitions; it’s about understanding the clever misdirection.
So, if you’ve been scratching your head over ‘Small man admitting it! (6),’ you’re in good company. This crossword clue is a wonderful example of the intricate wordplay and lateral thinking that makes crosswords so addictive. It’s not just about knowing words; it’s about understanding the clever mechanics behind how those words are clued. Take another look, ponder the definitions, and let the magic of the cryptic unravel. The satisfaction of cracking a challenging crossword clue like this is immense, and it’s precisely why we keep coming back for more, week after week.
Available Answers:
PETITE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 10 September 2025