Targets suck, when madly hooked on acting (5,6) Crossword Clue
Answer: STAGE STRUCK (11 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Targets suck, when madly hooked on acting (5,6)" with 11 letters is "STAGE STRUCK".Stage struck refers to someone who is passionate or obsessed with acting and the theater, often to the point of being captivated or mesmerized by it. The term is used to describe individuals who are eager to perform or be involved in the stage, sometimes without regard for the challenges it brings.
Why “Stage-Struck” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (5,6) meaning “hooked on acting,” with a cryptic hint hidden in “Targets suck, when madly.” The answer, STAGE STRUCK, fits exactly:
- Hooked on acting: Stage-struck describes someone who is passionately fascinated or obsessed with the theatre or acting world.
- Direct match: With enumeration (5,6), stage struck perfectly matches the clue’s format.
- Wordplay hint: The phrase “Targets suck, when madly” indicates an anagram; rearranging these letters forms stage struck, confirming the answer.
The term stage-struck has a well-known place in theatrical language:
- Origin and usage: First recorded in the 19th century, when amateur theatre and performance arts grew popular, often describing someone dreaming of fame on the stage.
- Contexts: Used both affectionately and critically for individuals who idolize performers or crave an acting career.
- Examples: “As a teenager, she was completely stage-struck,” or “He left his hometown for Hollywood, stage-struck and ambitious.”
Quick crosswords like “Targets suck, when madly hooked on acting (5,6)” often conceal clever anagrams:
- The indicator phrase “when madly” signals solvers to rearrange letters.
- “Targets suck” provides the raw material (in total 11 letters) which anagram perfectly to stage struck.
- The definition (“hooked on acting”) guides the solver to the idiomatic result rather than a literal interpretation.
- With ideal enumeration, precise wordplay, and idiomatic meaning, stage struck is the correct crossword solution.
