Every seasoned solver knows the unique thrill – and occasional torment – of a truly well-crafted crossword clue. Some clues sparkle with wit, others demand a deep dive into wordplay, and then there are those that simply stump you, forcing you to stare at the grid with a blank expression. Today, we’re dissecting one such intriguing puzzle that has likely given more than a few solvers pause: “Take out permit entering river (6).” This particular crossword clue is a fantastic example of how seemingly straightforward words can twist into complex mental knots, offering a delightful challenge for anyone who loves their daily crossword.
At first glance, this six-letter crossword clue seems to be composed of disparate elements. We have “Take out,” “permit,” “entering,” and “river,” followed by the crucial length indicator, (6). The beauty of cryptic crosswords lies in their dual nature: each clue typically has a definition part and a wordplay part, often masquerading as an innocent phrase. The trick, of course, is discerning which is which, and how the wordplay guides you to the solution.
Let’s break down the components of this challenging crossword clue. “Take out” is a phrase laden with potential meanings. Does it mean to remove something, as in ‘take out the rubbish’? Or perhaps to obtain something, like ‘take out a loan’ or ‘take out an insurance policy’? In the realm of cryptic wordplay, “take out” can also be a literal instruction to remove letters from another word, or even an anagram indicator if cleverly disguised. Its ambiguity is a classic setter’s tool.
Then we have “permit.” This word itself is a chameleon. Is it functioning as a verb, meaning ‘to allow’ or ‘to authorize’? Or is it a noun, referring to an official document or a licence? The answer could hinge on this subtle distinction. Often, cryptic crossword clues play on these homographs – words spelled the same but with different meanings and sometimes pronunciations. The solver must consider both possibilities before committing to an interpretation.
The word “entering” is often a strong indicator in cryptic crossword clues. It frequently suggests insertion – that one set of letters or a word is going
into
another. This makes us look closely at what might be ‘entering’ and what it’s ‘entering into’. Is it a direct insertion, or something more abstract? “Entering” points towards a container-type clue, where one element is literally placed inside another.
Finally, we arrive at “river.” This is a common feature in many a crossword clue, sometimes represented by its abbreviation (like ‘R’ for River Plate, or specific river names), or used in its full form. If “entering” is an insertion indicator, is “river” the container? Or is “river” part of the definition? The context here is paramount. Is it a specific river? Or just the general concept of a flowing body of water? This small word carries significant weight in decrypting the overall instruction.
When you bring these elements together, the six-letter constraint becomes an even more vital piece of information. The solution must fit snugly within those six spaces, eliminating many potential interpretations that might yield a longer or shorter word. This restriction helps narrow down the possibilities dramatically, forcing you to combine the definitions and wordplay in a precise manner.
This particular crossword clue demands a careful parsing of each word, considering its multiple facets and how it interacts with the others. Is “Take out permit” the fodder for an anagram or a specific instruction? Does “entering river” describe a location or an action? The key to unlocking such a cryptic crossword clue lies in patiently exploring these avenues, combining the various meanings, and seeing which combination perfectly fits the letter count and delivers a coherent solution. It’s a masterclass in linguistic misdirection and logical deduction, promising a satisfying ‘aha!’ moment when all the pieces finally click into place.
Available Answers:
DELETE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 23 November 2025