All Aboard! Decoding ‘Somebody Important Turned Up On Board (7)’
Right, grab your favourite cuppa, sharpen that pencil (or fire up the digital pen!), and let’s dive into the crossword clue of the hour:
“Somebody important turned up on board (7)“
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This deceptively simple-sounding clue holds a wealth of possibilities within its seven letters. The key, as always with a good crossword puzzle, lies in teasing apart the various elements and considering them from multiple angles.
Firstly, we need to dissect the core meaning. “Somebody important” is broad, isn’t it? It could refer to anyone from royalty and high-ranking officials to celebrities and renowned figures. Think about the power dynamics inherent in the word “important.” Who wields influence? Who commands respect? Who might be described as having a significant role or standing? Brainstorming a mental list of potential ‘important’ people is a great place to start.
Then we have the phrase “turned up on board.” This suggests a specific location – something that has ‘board’ characteristics. Now, while our minds might immediately jump to the literal definition of a ship or airplane, it’s crucial to remember the delightfully tricksy nature of crosswords. Could “board” be used figuratively? Perhaps representing a committee, a team, or even a stage? Don’t limit yourself to nautical or aviation themes just yet!
The cleverness of this clue also comes from the double meaning possibilities with wordplay. “Turned up” can imply a physical appearance, as in “they turned up at the party.” But it could also suggest something being revealed or discovered. Perhaps the “somebody important” was hiding or their presence was previously unknown. The phrase “turned up” might be concealing a synonym for being “found” or “revealed”. Consider words that are synonymous with that notion.
The length of the answer – seven letters – provides a crucial constraint. This limits the pool of potential solutions considerably. We must find an “important” person or thing that can be related to being on a “board” in some fashion, all within the confines of those seven precious spaces.
Let’s also not ignore the tense of the clue. It’s in the past tense (“turned up”). This suggests an event that has already occurred, further narrowing down the possible solutions. Are there any famous cases of important individuals being found in unexpected circumstances?
Consider different areas where important people show up. Think about political figures, historical events, fictional characters, figures of power, and even slang terms that might fit. Remember to look for overlaps. Does a political figure tie into a phrase about a board? Does a term relate to a naval vessel?
Crossword solving is a process of elimination, a dance between deductive reasoning and creative thinking. Don’t be afraid to scribble down possibilities, explore related terms, and let your mind wander down unexpected paths. Sometimes, the answer emerges from the most unlikely corner of your brain!
So, with all that in mind, take another look at the clue:
“Somebody important turned up on board (7)“
. Consider every angle, explore every possibility, and let the seven-letter constraint guide your search.
Good luck, and happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
NOTABLE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 18 November 2025