Sometimes, a seemingly straightforward phrase in a daily puzzle can hide a surprisingly intricate solution. You think you’ve got a handle on the typical patterns, the common wordplay tropes, and then along comes a
crossword clue
that makes you pause, scratch your head, and maybe even question your sanity for a moment. These are the clues that truly test our linguistic agility and lateral thinking, the ones that often turn out to be the most satisfying to unravel.
Today, we’re diving into one such brain-teaser that’s been making the rounds and prompting more than a few puzzled frowns: “Tortuous, large binary network, once yours (12)“. At first glance, it feels like a clue plucked straight from a highly specialized tech manual, combined with a rather personal touch. The word “tortuous” immediately sets a tone of complexity and winding paths, suggesting something far from simple or direct. Then, we hit “large binary network,” a phrase that screams digital realm, perhaps something vast and interconnected, built on the fundamental 0s and 1s of computing.
But it’s that final, almost poetic, addition – “once yours” – that truly elevates this
crossword clue
from a mere technical descriptor to a masterclass in misdirection. It introduces a temporal element, a sense of past ownership or connection, that feels subtly out of place yet utterly crucial. Is it literal ownership? A type of network that used to be prevalent or individually controlled? Or is it a clever linguistic twist, hinting at something entirely different when combined with the other elements? The twelve-letter length adds another layer to the puzzle, confirming we’re looking for a substantial word or phrase that perfectly encapsulates all these disparate threads. This particular
crossword clue
is a prime example of how constructors weave together seemingly unrelated concepts to form a cohesive, albeit challenging, whole. It forces us to think beyond the obvious, to consider both the literal and figurative meanings of each word, and to look for that elusive Eureka moment where all the pieces suddenly click into place.
Available Answers:
LABYRINTHINE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Monday, 4 August 2025