The friendliest device
Hidden words
The answer sits in plain sight inside the clue, often straddling two words. A hiding indicator tells you to look inside the fodder.
Hidden clues are where most solvers start. Once you spot a word like “in”, “within”, “found in”, or “part of”, dig through the neighbouring letters for a run that matches the length mark.
The definition is usually at one end of the clue. Everything between the definition and the indicator is a hunting ground. Ignore the surface sense and read the letters.
Common hiding indicators
A sample of phrases that tell you to dig through neighbouring letters. Fodder may sit after or before the indicator.
| Indicator | Where the fodder sits | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| found in | After | Definition found in fodder |
| hidden in / buried in | After | Answer concealed in the next words |
| part of / some | After | A stretch of the fodder |
| within / inside / among | After | Look inside the fodder phrase |
| hides / conceals / contains | Before | Fodder hides the definition |
| partly / partially / somewhat | Before | Fodder comes first |
Things to watch
- Try the clue both ways: definition first, or definition last.
- Watch for answers that bridge a space, like “denMARK alone”.
- If the surface feels oddly padded, a hidden word may be the reason.
Worked example
Metal found in environment (4)