How to Solve the Minute Cryptic: Hidden Word Indicator

Today's Minute Cryptic puzzle presents a classic hidden word indicator clue that challenges solvers to look beyond the surface meaning. Let's break down how to crack this cryptic crossword clue step by step.

Understanding the Clue Structure

The clue reads: "Let him bleed!" - prisoner. "Prick!" - guard.

Like all cryptic crossword clues, this one has three essential components:

• Definition: "Prick!" - guard (what the answer means)
• Indicator: prisoner (how to build the answer)
• Fodder: "Let him bleed" (the raw material to work with)

Step 1: Identify the Indicator

The word "prisoner" is your indicator. In cryptic crosswords, "prisoner" signals a hidden word indicator—meaning the answer is hidden within neighbouring words, like a prisoner captured within its surroundings.

Step 2: Extract Letters from the Fodder

Your fodder is "Let him bleed." Write out these words and look for letters that form a hidden word:

Let him bleed

Now search for a continuous sequence of letters within this phrase. Scanning through: L-e-t-h-i-m-b-l-e-e-d

Hidden within "him bleed" you'll find: HIM BLE → THIMBLE

More precisely, the letters T-H-I-M-B-L-E are captured consecutively across the boundary between "him" and "bleed."

Step 3: Verify the Definition

The definition is "prick guard." What device protects your finger from pricks when sewing? A THIMBLE—a small metal or plastic cap worn on the finger to protect it while sewing.

Perfect fit! The answer THIMBLE satisfies both the hidden word construction and the definition.

Key Takeaway

When you spot a "prisoner" indicator in a cryptic clue, remember: the answer is hidden within the fodder. Look for continuous sequences of letters spanning across word boundaries. This hidden word technique is one of the most elegant tricks in cryptic crossword solving.

Answer: THIMBLE (Par: 3)