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.
“Backboard without hoop is dull”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'dull', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Downfall after listening to member of hive mind”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'mind', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Hare no longer laughing, with tortoise halfway to a comeback”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'a comeback', and our answer will be another word for a kind of comeback." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Very relaxed from patchwork quilt covers, 3-2-1 narcolepsy!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Very relaxed', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Adhering to etiquette, people in the play exit at intervals”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Adhering to etiquette', and if you do something while adhering to etiquette, you do it ________." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Temp receptionist and intern, between jobs?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Temp', and our answer will be another term for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Self-proclaimed inspector”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'inspector', and our answer will be someone or something that inspects." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Attends wild paternity reveal?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'paternity reveal', and our answer will be a kind of paternity reveal." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Forwarded letters twice from ice-cold beer distributor?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'cold beer distributor', and our answer will be the name of something that distributes cold beer." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“It's agreed upon: he's out of there at day's end”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'It's agreed upon', and our answer will be something that fits that description." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Baby shower starts by unwrapping mother’s presents”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Baby shower', and this is an example of an agent noun - nouns that identify the 'doer' of a verb. Cryptic writers use agent nouns in tricky ways; here, we're looking for something that SHOWS a baby - a baby shower!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Bad loser taking loss like a bad loser?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'like a bad loser?', and our answer will be a classic description for a bad loser." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Returning a little cappuccino, men mansplain a way to remember the order”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'a way to remember the order', and our answer will be a word for that!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Rap hit covered by string ensemble? Finally, cool material for conductor!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'cool material for conductor', and our answer will be a word that fits that description in a completely different way than the surface suggests." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Learn 1970s-style dance music! $5 off per beginner!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Learn', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown““Downright ditching me!” Housemate moves into vacant sublet?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Downright', and the question mark on the end of the clue is a little hint that our definition might be slightly loose or punny. Our answer will mean downright, in a manner of speaking..." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“P.S. Cuddles! I love you! Utterly devoted”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'devoted', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Spaceman shoos away both parents sneaking aboard at liftoff”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'liftoff', and our answer will be a word strongly associated with 'liftoff'." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Abstract art genius makes a reproducible scribble”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'a reproducible scribble', and our answer will be a word for a scribble that's reproducible. We've chosen this clue to introduce our new feature: the Scribble Space!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Close friends secretly videotape as I nap? Odd!”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Close friends'. Note: while 'close' can mean 'intimate', but here we're using it to mean 'near' - our answer is an expression that describes friends who are similar." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown