There’s a unique thrill that comes with unraveling a truly brilliant crossword clue. It’s that moment when the disparate parts click, the wordplay winks at you, and the solution feels both inevitable and ingeniously hidden. For seasoned puzzle solvers and newcomers alike, the best crossword clues are not just tests of vocabulary, but delightful linguistic puzzles, challenging us to think beyond the obvious. Today, we’re dissecting a prime example of such a gem: “Very attractive thing with a taser? (7)“.
This particular crossword clue immediately grabs your attention. It’s got a dash of intrigue, a hint of danger, and a clear question mark signalling that classic crossword trickery is afoot. When faced with a cryptic crossword clue like this, the first step is always to break it down. We’re looking for a seven-letter word, and the clue offers two seemingly distinct layers of meaning.
Let’s start with “Very attractive thing.” This phrase itself carries a delightful ambiguity, which is the hallmark of a great crossword clue. “Attractive” could refer to aesthetic appeal – something beautiful, charming, or desirable. We often describe people or objects as “attractive” in this sense. However, in the world of physics, “attractive” has a very different, equally strong meaning: drawing things together, like a magnet attracts metal, or gravity attracts mass. This dual interpretation is often the key to unlocking cryptic clues, prompting the solver to consider both literal and scientific meanings. Is the “thing” something visually appealing, or something that exerts a pull? Or perhaps both, in a clever twist?
Then we have the second part: “with a taser?”. The inclusion of a taser immediately introduces an element of electricity, shock, or force. A taser is an electrical weapon designed to incapacitate. It’s about a jolt, a current, a powerful, albeit non-lethal, electrical discharge. This vivid imagery is unlikely to be purely coincidental in a well-crafted crossword clue. How does an “attractive thing” relate to a device that delivers an electric shock? Could it be a pun on the
feeling
of being attracted, an electric spark? Or perhaps it directly relates to the electrical properties of the “thing” itself?
The question mark at the end is our biggest hint. In many crossword puzzles, especially British-style cryptic crossword clues, a question mark indicates wordplay, a pun, or a slightly less direct definition. It’s a signal to the solver to engage their lateral thinking. The clue isn’t asking for a straightforward definition; it’s inviting you to connect the dots in a less conventional, more imaginative way. The solution will likely play on the dual meanings we’ve identified or create an unexpected juxtaposition that makes perfect sense once revealed.
Solving crosswords like this one requires a blend of vocabulary, general knowledge, and a keen eye for linguistic trickery. The beauty of such a crossword clue is in how it makes you consider the different facets of language. It takes a common word like “attractive” and forces you to explore its semantic range, then cleverly combines it with a concept like “taser” to form a cohesive, albeit mischievous, whole. The satisfaction of finally cracking such a clever crossword clue is immense, a testament to the power of well-constructed wordplay. It reminds us why daily crosswords remain a beloved mental workout for puzzle solvers everywhere.
Available Answers:
STUNNER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 26 August 2025