Welcome back, fellow word sleuths and cryptic conundrum conquerors! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a
crossword clue
that truly embodies the magic and mischief of cryptic puzzles. It’s one of those gems that initially makes you scratch your head, perhaps even let out a little groan, but ultimately rewards with an “Aha!” moment of pure satisfaction.
The
crossword clue
on our radar today reads: “Sob about letter, it will prey on one’s mind (6)“.
Isn’t that a beauty? Just six short letters for the answer, yet the clue itself paints such a vivid, almost emotional, picture. This isn’t just a simple word search; it’s a journey into linguistic artistry. When tackling a
challenging crossword clue
like this, the first thing seasoned solvers do is dissect its anatomy. We look for the definition, the part of the clue that tells us
what
the answer means, and then we seek out the wordplay, the clever linguistic trick that shows us
how
to get there.
“It will prey on one’s mind” – immediately, this phrase conjures up images of persistent thoughts, nagging worries, or something that truly bothers us. It’s evocative and sets a clear target for our definition. Think about all the things that can haunt you, that can stay with you, leaving you unsettled. This part of the
crossword clue
is our compass, guiding us towards the semantic field of the solution.
But then there’s the wordplay: “Sob about letter”. Ah, here’s where the cryptic charm truly shines. “Sob” suggests a sound, an act of weeping, or perhaps even a mournful feeling. And “letter”? This isn’t just any letter; in cryptic crosswords, “letter” can mean a single character from the alphabet, or a piece of mail, or something else entirely, used in a way that’s designed to mislead or amuse. The word “about” is often a strong indicator in these types of puzzles, hinting at containment or proximity. Could it mean one part of the clue literally wraps around another? Or perhaps it implies a theme related to the general vicinity of a letter?
The genius of this specific
crossword clue
lies in its ability to combine these disparate elements – a human emotion and a seemingly mundane linguistic component – into a single, cohesive phrase that makes perfect sense on the surface, while concealing a deeper layer of instruction. It’s a testament to the skill of the clue-setter, who crafts these mini-masterpieces of wordplay.
Unraveling this kind of
crossword clue
requires a flexible mind, a willingness to think outside the box, and an appreciation for the subtle nuances of the English language. Is “sob” meant literally or metaphorically? And what about “letter”? Is it a vowel, a consonant, or something else entirely? The number in parentheses, (6), confirms our answer is a six-letter word, providing the final piece of the structural puzzle.
So, take a moment. Ponder this intriguing
crossword clue
. Consider the various interpretations of “sob” and “letter” within a cryptic context. How do they combine, perhaps unexpectedly, to point towards something that would genuinely “prey on one’s mind”? The satisfaction of cracking a
crossword clue
like this is immense, offering a mental workout that’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Stay tuned, and happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
OBSESS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 29 June 2025