Blue feathers discarded? (4, 2, 3, 5) Minute Cryptic Crossword Clue
Searching for the answer to “Blue feathers discarded? (4, 2, 3, 5)” in today’s Minute Cryptic Crossword? Look no further! We’ve provided the solution to help you finish the puzzle and make the most of your crossword-solving experience.
Hints
This clue is a double definition - we'll need to divide our clue into two chunks, each of which will represent the answer directly (there's no wordplay or letter manipulation here). Tip: when the answer seems outsized compared to the clue, it's a good time to look for non-standard techniques like double definition or rebus.
'Blue' is one of our two definitions. As well as being a colour, 'blue' can represent a low or depressed feeling. It's time to look for four-word phrases that might capture that idea.
Our second definition is 'feathers discarded?', and our question mark is flagging that we'll need to embrace the stretchier side of language. While there's no common phrase that *aims* to describe 'feathers discarded', there is one that describes thrown away plumage pretty accurately - a phrase that aims to describe 'blue'.
The answer to "Blue feathers discarded? (4, 2, 3, 5)" is DOWN IN THE DUMPS.
The phrase “down in the dumps” is an idiom that means feeling blue, sad, or depressed. The clue uses “Blue” as the definition part, pointing directly to this state of unhappiness. Crossword clues often use “blue” as a synonym for sadness or depression.
The wordplay comes from breaking down the phrase: “Down” refers to the soft feathers of a bird, and “discarded” suggests being thrown away or left in the dumps. So, “Down in the dumps” can literally be read as “feathers discarded,” while figuratively it means “feeling blue.” The surface reading ties both parts neatly together, giving a witty cryptic definition.
Minute Cryptic
A Minute Cryptic is a type of crossword puzzle that focuses on very short, often tricky clues that require quick and sharp thinking. These puzzles typically feature concise clues that challenge solvers to think outside the box and consider alternative meanings, wordplay, or indirect references.
Unlike traditional cryptic clues, which may have more detailed explanations, Minute Cryptics are designed to be solved in a very short amount of time, often making them ideal for quick bursts of mental exercise. They tend to require both a good understanding of wordplay and a high level of familiarity with common crossword conventions, but their brevity makes them a fun and engaging challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.
