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.
“A vehicle behind another vehicle!”
Identify the definition: "This clue is an &lit meaning that the whole clue is both wordplay and definition. So, our answer here will be a kind of vehicle that's typically found behind another vehicle." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Rats rolling in mud splatter it over dogs?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'splatter it over dogs?', and note the question mark indicating a little stretch here. This is a descriptive definition, and our answer will be something that is splattered over (a kind of) dogs." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Middle-aged couple exhausted from crazy mileage accumulated over holiday”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'accumulated over holiday', and our answer will be something that, for many people, accumulates over holiday." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Car weaved into his rear parking spaces?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'rear parking spaces?', and the question mark indicates a slightly loose or punny definition. Our answer will be a kind of rear parking space..." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Caretaker watching ‘Scrubs’ with nurses starts to take inspiration”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Caretaker', and our answer will be another word for that. Note: on the surface 'Caretaker' is a noun, but as a definition it's something else!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Consequence of misusing debit card!”
Identify the definition: "This clue is a partial &lit, a variant of an &lit. Instead of the whole clue being both wordplay and definition (like an &lit), here the whole clue is the definition and only part of the clue is the wordplay. So, our answer will be a possible consequence of misusing one's debit card." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Fabled beauty of chameleon dropping camouflage briefly”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Fabled beauty', and our answer will be a legendary or fabled beauty." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Blemish turning part of white rose yellow”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Blemish', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“No hiding from dinosaur rampaging halfway across the globe?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'halfway across the globe?', and the question mark is telling us that this is a slightly stretchy definition. You'll need to think outside the box (or... some other shape?) to see how our answer can mean 'halfway across the globe'." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Highbrow couple to start breakfast, digging into Froot Loops, perhaps”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Highbrow', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Early plea entered, charge overturned & case dismissed for plot involving axes”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'plot involving axes', and our answer will be a kind of plot that can involve axes. Careful, this definition is designed to trip you up (this is a cryptic clue after all...)!" points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Otto (your second cousin twice removed) crushed audition”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'audition', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Bluebeard selecting squares for patch”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'patch', and our answer will be another word for a certain kind of patch." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“Creepy stalker from Los Angeles follows stars, wants our bodyguards gone?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'Creepy stalker', and our answer will be a creepy stalker of sorts." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“I’m bald, clutching wobbly cane, and prone to falling over”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'prone to falling over', and our answer will be a word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown““Let him bleed!” - prisoner. “Prick!” - guard.”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is '“Prick!” - guard', or, stripping away the punctuation, 'prick guard'. Our answer will be something that fits that description." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“You, me and everyone possibly in favour of love among nuns”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'You, me and everyone possibly', and the 'possibly' points us to look for a category to which 'you', 'me' and 'everyone' belongs. Our answer will be such a category." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown“A follower starts to lose faith about UFO crop circle hoax?”
Identify the definition: "Our definition here is 'hoax', and our answer will be another word for that." points to the meaning of the answer.
Read breakdown