Today’s Minute Cryptic Clue
Today’s Minute Cryptic challenges you to solve a wordplay puzzle. The clue may look ordinary, but hidden layers await. If you’re stuck, this guide walks you through each part of the clue, from the definition to the indicators, and offers an extra hint before revealing the answer.
Understanding the Clue’s Components
The clue’s indicators are “beginning,” “to break free from,” “cocoons,” and “after metamorphosis.” “Beginning” signals a selection indicator, telling you to take the first letter of a word. “To break free from” is a deletion indicator, meaning a letter must be removed. “Cocoons” is a containment indicator, which means one set of letters should be placed inside another. “After metamorphosis” tells you to anagram the letters of the preceding word.
The fodder words are “many” and “exit.” These provide the letters you’ll manipulate.
The definition points to “Butterflies,” which in everyday language describes that nervous, fluttery feeling.
Answer Hints
Think about the sensation you feel when you’re nervous or excited — that’s the feeling the clue is aiming for.
Answer Explained
We start with “many.” Removing its first letter (the “M”) leaves “any,” fulfilling the deletion and selection instructions. “Cocoons” tells us to surround something, so “any” will enclose the next part. “Exit” is the second fodder; an anagram of “exit” gives “xiets.” Placing “any” around “xiets” yields “anxiety.” The definition “butterflies” matches the common expression for feeling anxiety, so the answer is ANXIETY.