Can’t Crack That Clue? Here’s How to Flatten It Informally for Crossword Puzzles!
Do you often find yourself stuck on a crossword puzzle clue? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Solving crossword puzzles is a challenging and fun way to exercise your brain, but sometimes you can’t seem to find the right word to fill in the blank. One solution that many seasoned crossword puzzlers turn to is flattening the clue. In this article, we’ll dive into what it means to flatten a clue informally and how you can use this technique to become a better crossword puzzle solver.
What Is Flattening a Clue Informally?
Flattening a clue informally means changing the structure or wording of the clue to make it easier to solve. This technique allows you to bypass the direct definition of the clue and instead focus on the wordplay. Wordplay is everything that isn’t the direct definition of the clue. It can include puns, anagrams, homophones, and other word tricks.
How Can You Use It?
There are many ways to flatten a clue informally. Here are some techniques you can use:
1. Look for Synonyms
The first step to flattening a clue is to find synonyms for the key words in the clue. This technique can be especially useful for clues that use abstract or vague language.
For example, suppose a clue is “feeling blue.” The direct definition of this clue is to feel sad. However, the wordplay suggests that there’s something else going on. If you think of synonyms for the words “feeling,” “blue,” or “sad,” you may come up with the word “mood.” So, the answer to the clue could be “mood.”
2. Identify Wordplay
The second step to flattening a clue is to identify wordplay. Wordplay is everything that isn’t the direct definition of the clue. It can include puns, anagrams, homophones, and other word tricks.
For example, suppose a clue is “eye ailment?” The answer to this clue is “stye,” but how does the wordplay work? The word “eye” is a homophone for “I,” and “ailment” is a synonym for “disease.” So, the clue could be rewritten as “I disease?” or “eye disease?”
3. Take Advantage of Punctuation
The third step to flattening a clue is to take advantage of punctuation. Punctuation can help you see the wordplay in a clue.
For example, suppose a clue is “boring tool (3).” The answer to this clue is “awl.” The number in parentheses indicates the number of letters in the answer. However, the punctuation in the clue is also important. “Boring” is a double meaning clue, which suggests that the answer is a tool used for boring holes. The parentheses indicate that the answer is three letters long.
Conclusion
Flattening a clue informally is a great technique to add to your crossword puzzle solving arsenal. By changing the structure or wording of the clue, you can bypass the direct definition and focus on wordplay. The three techniques outlined in this article are just the beginning. With practice, you’ll be able to flatten clues with ease and solve even the most challenging crossword puzzles.
