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Nov 15, 2023 · Download Article. 1. Insert words inside of other words to solve container clues. Look for indicator words such as “within,” “around,” “in,” “inside,” and “retain” to identify a container clue. Container clues require inserting either letters or words inside of another to form a new word, which will hint at your answer.
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Sep 20, 2022 · This may be the easiest way into a difficult clue: imagine you are solving a synonym-only crossword with no cryptic content. This often works. In many instances, a cryptic definition or double ...
- Roger Blitz
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This will hardly ever give you the right solution. One tip when learning how to solve cryptic crosswords is to try solving a crossword puzzle with a friend in the first instance – it can help to have someone to have ideas you can bounce off. Another one, which may seem slightly odd initially, is to actually try and set a few clues yourself ...
- Anagram. Also seen in a regular crossword, these involve the rearrangement of letters in one word (or words) to form another (or others). Ruined men spoilt and hurt (9)
- Charade. Like the game of charades, these clues involve stringing together several smaller elements to make the complete answer. A French tournament is close (6)
- Container. These clues involve placing words or letters inside other words or letters. Wild animal eats organ of saviour (9) An organ, LIVER, is placed inside a wild animal, DEER, to make DE-LIVER-ER.
- Deletion. By removing one or more letters from a word, another word can be made. Drunk without end? That’s a problem (6) A word for ‘drunk’, PICKLED, without its end letter becomes PICKLE (as in, to be in a pickle).
- Anagram Clues. In an anagram clue, the subsidiary indication contains the letters of the answer and an indication that the letters should be rearranged or are not presently in the right order.
- Charade Clues. In charade clues, two or more words run together to form the solution. To tantalise the left is a plant (6) Another way of saying ‘to tantalise’ is ‘TEASE’ and a common abbreviation for ‘left’ is ‘L’.
- Container Clues. In these clues a single letter or the letters of one word are inserted into another. Widest and best way inside (8) The answer is BROADEST. ‘
- Double Definition Clues. Here the subsidiary indication is replaced by a second definition. Often these clues are short, perhaps two or three words. An example
Mar 1, 2024 · Beginner-Friendly Cryptic No. 1, a puzzle from our archive that we’ve updated with some extra solving tips, is a good place to start. In each clue, you’ll be able to see which half is the ...
