Crossword puzzles have been around for centuries and continue to be a popular pastime for many people today. One of the most challenging types of crossword puzzles is the cryptic how some dares are done crossword, where clues can be quite tricky and require a bit of creative thinking to solve. One common theme in cryptic crosswords is the use of dares, which are clues that require a bit of risk-taking or out-of-the-box thinking to solve. In this article, we’ll explore how some dares are done in crossword puzzles and give you some tips for cracking them.
The Art of the Dare
Dares are a type of clue that require a bit of daring on the part of the solver. They often involve wordplay, double meanings, and other tricks that can be quite difficult to spot. However, once you understand how dares are constructed, they can be some of the most satisfying clues to solve in a crossword puzzle.
The Double Definition Dare
One common type of dare in crossword puzzles is the double definition dare. This type of dare uses two different definitions for the same word in the clue, requiring the solver to think outside the box and consider multiple meanings for the answer. For example, a clue might read “Vessel for cooking and a soft cloth (4)”, with the answer being “pan” (which can mean both a cooking vessel and a cloth used for cleaning). Double definition dares can be quite challenging, but they can also be quite satisfying to solve once you figure them out.
The Homophone Dare
Another common type of dare in crossword puzzles is the homophone dare. This type of dare uses words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. For example, a clue might read “A type of tree or a type of drum (4)”, with the answer being “bass” (which can mean both a type of tree and a type of drum). Homophone dares can be quite challenging, especially if the words being used have similar spellings or meanings.
The Hidden Dare
A hidden dare is a type of clue that involves hiding the answer within the clue itself. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as using an anagram or a hidden word within the clue. For example, a clue might read “Elaborate plan hid my car (5)”, with the answer being “myriad” (which can be found by rearranging the letters in “hid my car”). Hidden dares can be quite challenging, but they can also be quite satisfying to solve once you figure out where the answer is hiding.
The Reversal Dare
A reversal dare is a type of clue that involves reversing the letters in a word or phrase to get the answer. For example, a clue might read “Finish off a set of drawers (4)”, with the answer being “ends” (which can be found by reversing the letters in “send”). Reversal dares can be quite challenging, especially if the solver isn’t familiar with the words being used in the clue.
The Charade Dare
A charade dare is a type of clue that involves breaking a word or phrase into smaller parts, and then using those parts to create the answer. For example, a clue might read “Feline’s sound and a type of hat (5)”, with the answer being “meowr” (which can be found by combining “meow” and “beret”). Charade dares can be quite challenging, but they can also be quite satisfying to solve once you figure out how the parts of the clue fit together.
