“Stop hogging it!” What a cracker of a crossword clue! There are some
crossword clues
that just jump out at you, not because they’re overtly complex or laden with obscure trivia, but because they’re so utterly, delightfully,
human
. This particular crossword clue is a prime example. It’s a phrase we’ve all probably uttered, or had directed at us, countless times in our lives. From the last slice of pizza to the remote control, or even that engaging conversation with a friend, the sentiment behind “Stop hogging it!” resonates deep within our shared experiences.
But taking such a common, conversational command and translating it into a grid-fitting solution? That’s where the true magic, and often the maddening genius, of a good crossword puzzle lies. You see this
crossword clue
and your brain immediately conjures scenarios: siblings squabbling, friends vying for attention, colleagues perhaps hoarding a shared resource. The mental image is vivid, the meaning crystal clear in everyday language. Yet, when presented as a challenge on the page, its familiarity can almost be a trap.
It forces us to strip away the situational context and look for the core action, the essential truth that the phrase implies. What
is
someone doing when they’re ‘hogging it’? What’s the fundamental behavior being called out? That’s the puzzle within the puzzle, the elegant dance between common idiom and cryptic construction.
This kind of
crossword clue
is a fantastic reminder that the best puzzles aren’t always about arcane knowledge. Sometimes, they’re about recognizing the everyday, turning it over in your mind, and finding the precise, often pithy, word that captures its essence. It’s about thinking beyond the literal, beyond the immediate scenario, and pinpointing the action or state that sits at its heart.
So, for those of you who paused at this particular
crossword clue
, feeling the tug of its familiarity but struggling to pin down the grid-worthy answer, you’re in excellent company. Let’s unpack the brilliance behind “Stop hogging it!” and explore how to unravel such wonderfully conversational challenges.
Available Answers:
LETGO.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Sunday’s Daily By Amie Walker & Wendy L. Brandes / Ed. Patti Varol