The sheer joy of cracking a brilliant
crossword clue
is something many solvers cherish. It’s that moment when all the mental gears align, and a seemingly impenetrable string of words suddenly reveals its hidden logic. Whether it’s your daily
crossword puzzle
ritual or tackling a particularly fiendish weekend challenge, the best clues make you pause, ponder, and then punch the air with satisfaction.
Today, we’re mulling over a real gem, one that beautifully exemplifies the elegance of cryptic wordplay: “Unusually, see big journalist surrounded (8)“. This particular
crossword clue
is an excellent case study in how setters craft their masterpieces, weaving together a precise definition with intricate wordplay.
When approaching any
cryptic crossword clue
, the first step is often to identify the definition. This is the straight part of the clue, telling you what the answer means in plain language. It could be at the beginning or the end, but it always points directly to the solution. The rest of the clue, sometimes a significant portion, is dedicated to the wordplay – the clever part that guides you to construct the answer letter by letter, or through manipulation of other words. For this specific
crossword clue
, consider which part gives you the actual meaning of the eight-letter word you’re seeking.
Then comes the fun part: dissecting the wordplay. Cryptic clues use a range of indicators to hint at how words should be manipulated. Take “Unusually” in our example
crossword clue
. Words like ‘unusual’, ‘mixed up’, ‘rearranged’, ‘broken’, ‘confused’, or ‘novel’ are classic signals for an anagram – meaning the letters of one or more words in the clue need to be jumbled up to form part of the answer. Spotting these indicators is key to unlocking many a
challenging crossword
. The setter isn’t just throwing words together; every single word serves a purpose.
Another common device, beautifully illustrated by the word “surrounded” in this very
crossword clue
, is the container clue. Here, one word or set of letters is placed inside another. Indicators for this type of clue are plentiful: ‘inside’, ‘held by’, ’embracing’, ‘wearing’, ‘housing’, ‘around’, ‘holding’, or indeed, ‘surrounded’. Understanding these different mechanics is vital for anyone serious about solving
cryptic crossword puzzles
. The interplay of these elements – the ‘contents’ and the ‘container’ – creates a miniature puzzle within the larger
crossword clue
.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its misleading surface reading. “See big journalist” sounds like a phrase you might encounter in a news report, but in a cryptic context, it becomes raw material for letter manipulation. This misdirection is precisely what makes
solving crosswords
so engaging. The setter wants you to think one way, while subtly guiding you to the true path. It’s a delightful battle of wits.
So, how do all these pieces fit together for “Unusually, see big journalist surrounded (8)“? What’s the definition? What’s the exact anagram fodder, and what’s being contained? This is the kind of
crossword clue
that really tests your ability to see beyond the obvious and appreciate the subtle hints. It combines a clever anagram indicator with a clear container indicator, all leading to an eight-letter solution that perfectly matches its definition.
Spend some time with this one. Dissect each word, consider its potential role – as part of the definition, as an anagram indicator, or as part of the wordplay itself. These are the moments that make the
daily crossword
such a rewarding brain exercise. What did you make of this intriguing
crossword clue
? Share your thoughts on its construction!
Available Answers:
BESIEGED.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 7 August 2025