Alright, so today I got totally stuck on this crossword clue. You know how it is – you’re staring at those little blank squares, and your mind just goes blank? This clue was something like “provide amusement,” and it had to be exactly 4 letters. Felt impossible.
The Frustration Begins
I scribbled down all the obvious words that popped into my head. Fun? Nah, only 3 letters. Play? Still 4, but didn’t feel quite right for “provide amusement.” Game? Nope, 4 letters but doesn’t fit “provide.” Sat there chewing my pencil, getting annoyed. Was about to just cram “joke” in there, even though it didn’t quite fit either.
Instead of giving up though, I decided to try something different. Remembered some dusty old advice about short clues.
Trying a Few Tricks
First, I looked hard at the clue words: “provide” and “amusement“. What’s another word for providing something, especially something fun? Give? Make? Nah.
Then I thought about short common words ending in ‘Y’. Always good for short answers. Words like:
- Happ – Too short, and not a word.
- Happ – Too short, and not a word.
- Joll – Just… no.
- Glee – 4 letters! Means great amusement… but does it mean “provide”? Not really. Gotta keep looking.
Was frustrating as heck. Almost tossed the puzzle across the room.
The Lightbulb Moment
Poured myself another coffee. Stared at the clue again: “provide amusement,” 4 letters. What’s a simple verb? Like, really simple. Something you’d see everywhere.
Suddenly it clicked. It wasn’t some fancy word. It was stupid simple: AMUSE. Amuse? Seriously? A-M-U-S-E. Count it: A-M-U-S-E. Four letters. “Provide amusement” – to amuse someone is to provide them with amusement! Duh! Why was I overcomplicating it looking for weird endings? Sometimes the answer is staring you right in the face.
I slapped my forehead. Couldn’t believe I missed it. The clue wasn’t asking for the result (like fun or glee), it was asking for the action itself. AMUSE. That was it.
What I Learned (The Easy Way)
So here’s the takeaway that seems obvious now:
- Don’t overthink short clues. Seriously. The answer is often the most straightforward verb or noun.
- Focus on the key action word in the clue – here it was “provide,” hinting at a verb.
- Check super common words first, even if they feel too simple. Short puzzles love simplicity.
- When stuck, walk away for a minute. Coffee breaks are magic for crosswords.
Felt like a bit of an idiot for missing it, but hey, sometimes you just gotta bang your head against the wall before the door opens. Now “amuse” is burned into my brain for next time. Short clues? Bring it on!
