Stumped by This One? “They’ll Keep You Out of Mensa” – A Challenging Crossword Clue
Ah, the crossword clue that leaves you staring blankly at the grid, your pen hovering indecisively. This week’s brain-teaser is a real doozy: “They’ll keep you out of Mensa.” No, it’s not a riddle about IQ tests (though that would be fitting!). Instead, it’s a clever wordplay clue that requires a bit of lateral thinking and a healthy dose of crossword-solving savvy.
Let’s dissect this cryptic challenge. The phrase “Mensa” immediately brings to mind high intelligence and exceptional cognitive abilities. The clue suggests something that would
prevent
someone from achieving membership in this prestigious society. But what is it? Is it a trait? A behavior? An object?
The beauty of cryptic crossword clues lies in their duality. The surface reading – “They’ll keep you out of Mensa” – is deliberately misleading, designed to throw you off the scent. The true meaning lies hidden within the wordplay itself. We need to look for synonyms, hidden words, or perhaps even a reversal or anagram. Consider the grammatical structure. “They’ll” suggests a plural noun, hinting at multiple answers, but we must determine if it’s a literal meaning or a metaphorical one.
To crack this code, we need to brainstorm. What qualities or attributes might disqualify someone from Mensa? Low intelligence is an obvious answer, but the clue is far too subtle for such a straightforward solution. Perhaps consider less intellectual aspects, something that might surprisingly impede success on Mensa’s admission tests?
Remember the importance of considering common crossword devices. Are there any anagrams present within the clue itself? Could a part of the clue be a definition of the answer, while another part provides wordplay?
Think outside the box – or perhaps, think
inside
the box, given the context of a crossword puzzle. Consider idioms and phrases that allude to hindrance or impediment. Don’t be afraid to explore related concepts; consider synonyms for “Mensa,” such as “brilliant,” “gifted,” “intellectual,” and explore their opposites.
This clue is designed to test your creative thinking and word association skills. Take your time, brainstorm possibilities, and don’t hesitate to consult a thesaurus or dictionary if needed.
Good luck, solvers! Let me know your thoughts and proposed solutions in the comments below. I’m eager to hear your approaches to this particularly challenging crossword clue. And most importantly, remember: even if you don’t arrive at the answer immediately, the process of working through these tricky clues is half the fun!
Available Answers:
LOWIQS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Thomas Joseph – King Feature Syndicate Crossword – Dec 31 2024