Daily Puzzle Breakdowns
Each Minute Cryptic clue uses a specific wordplay technique. Our daily breakdowns identify the clue type, walk through the solving logic step by step, and explain how definition, indicator, and fodder work together to produce the answer.
“Path between what looks like a pair of snakes & rocks”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'rocks', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Recycle threadbare jumper”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'jumper', and our answer will be a jumper of sorts." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Midwestern farmer wearing “I love NY”?!”
Identify the definition: "This clue is an &lit which means that the whole clue is both the wordplay and the definition. Here, this clue is an example of our answer; a midwestern farmer wearing "I love NY" might be an example of _____." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Graphic content written right-to-left in hieroglyphics”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Graphic content', and our answer will be a word for a kind of graphic content." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Hermit perhaps returning alone, wandering city”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'city', and our answer will be a well-known city." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Patient ran into toilet, avoiding first of incisions”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Patient', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Sharing salad - you don’t have to eat it!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'you don’t have to eat it', and our answer is an optional form of food!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“To-Do: firstly, find recipe; secondly, make scones; thirdly, feast lustily”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'To-Do', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Mermaid’s heart breaks from salmon being chopped up for shark bait?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'shark bait?' and, with a bit of stretch (flagged by the question mark), our answer will be a kind of shark bait." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Possessor of riches is possessed by riches too”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Possessor of riches', and our answer will be something or someone that possesses riches." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“My bad mood exposed by follow-up remark”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'My bad', and our answer will be a word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Hammerhead can’t see angler’s line… it’s hooked!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'it's hooked', and our answer will be something that is hooked." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Romans blasted stern of enemy craft with a variety of mortars”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'craft with a variety of mortars', and our answer will be a kind of craft that uses a variety of mortars." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“I’m trapped by make-believe walls!”
Identify the definition: "This clue is an &lit - the whole clue is the definition and the whole clue is the wordplay. So, our answer will be someone that's trapped by make-believe walls!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Knit, lace and darn twelve sheets together?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'twelve sheets together?'. We're looking for something comprising twelve sheets..." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Hit between the eyes, vocal with umpire”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Hit', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Retraced DNA obtained by saliva to castle grounds?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'castle grounds?', and the question mark is prompting us to think a little outside the box on this one. Our answer will be grounds in which castles are commonly found." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Well, content, wonderful, first rate, smashing!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Well content', and our answer will be a word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Starved bear acquires craving for fast food”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'fast food', and our answer will be a kind of fast food." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Roused by a worker striking - rights won at last!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Roused', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown