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Every story has two of them (5) - Crossword Clue
Answer: SIDES
Understanding the Clue
- SIDES fits naturally when solvers encounter clues playing on the idea of perspectives or viewpoints in a narrative.
- The phrase "every story has two" refers to the common expression "there are two sides to every story," meaning each situation or dispute involves at least two differing accounts or opinions.
- This is a classic example of crossword wordplay, using a proverbial idiom to clue a simple word with double meaning.
- Crossword constructors favor SIDES because it's short, versatile, and allows for clever, non-literal clues that reward lateral thinking.
- The five-letter constraint narrows possibilities significantly, making SIDES the definitive answer among idiom-based descriptors.
Why SIDES Works for This Clue
- Idiomatic accuracy → Directly evokes "two sides to every story," highlighting fairness, bias, or multiple perspectives in conflicts or tales.
- Dual meaning → Beyond viewpoints, "sides" can refer to literal edges, teams, or factions, adding layers of flexibility.
- Widespread usage → The expression appears frequently in everyday advice, journalism ("hear both sides"), and discussions of neutrality.
- Contextual flexibility → Applies to arguments, relationships, history, or even geometry, but the "story" context points clearly to perspectives.
Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Pattern Recognition Strategy → When you see proverbial or idiomatic clues like "every X has two," consider short plural nouns ending in -S, as these often tie into common expressions.
- Letter Placement → If you have crossing letters, prioritize filling in SIDES's distinctive letters - the opening S or the I-D-E sequence, which limits alternatives quickly.
- Context Reading → Pay attention to the puzzle's overall theme. Proverb or fairness-themed puzzles heavily favor SIDES, while conflict ones might pair it with "argue" or "debate" clues.
- Synonym Expansion → Build mental categories for "perspectives" words by letter count - four letters (VIEWS), five letters (SIDES, TAKES), six letters (ANGLES), seven letters (VERSIONS) - to speed up solving across idiom-themed puzzles.
- Cross-Reference Method → Don't solve in isolation. Use perpendicular answers to confirm middle letters (I-D-E) which are key to distinguishing from similar words like "ends" or "faces."
Every story has two of them (5) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Could "ENDS" also fit this clue?
A: ENDS has four letters and might suggest beginnings and endings, but SIDES (five letters) precisely matches the "two sides to every story" idiom.
Q: Are there alternatives if the letter count differs?
A: For six letters, try "ANGLES"; for seven letters, "FACETS" or "ASPECTS" might appear in similar perspective clues. Always verify the exact letter count specified in parentheses.
Q: How do I distinguish between similar idiom clues?
A: "Every story has two of them" specifically wants perspectives (SIDES), while "A beginning, middle, and..." seeks "END," and "Two faces" might point to "CLOCK" or "COIN."
Q: Does SIDES ever mean something else in crosswords?
A: Yes - occasionally clues reference theater ("actor's lines"), teams ("choose sides"), or geometry ("polygon sides"). Context with "story" clarifies the idiomatic meaning.
Q: What's the difficulty level of this clue?
A: This rates as intermediate difficulty. The idiomatic twist makes it clever and satisfying, though experienced solvers recognize the proverb quickly, while newcomers might think literally before arriving at SIDES.
