Encountering the cryptic crossword clue "very sharp as a turn" often leaves solvers reaching for their dictionaries, but the solution is less about literal precision and more about linguistic cunning. This specific phrasing is a classic example of a container clue, where the definition is cunningly hidden within the words themselves. Solvers must parse the sentence to identify which part provides the definition and which acts as the anagram indicator or fodder.
The Anatomy of a Cryptic Clue
To decode "very sharp as a turn," one must first understand the two primary components of a cryptic definition. Every clue typically offers a surface reading, which is the straightforward interpretation, and a cryptographic structure that leads to the answer. In this instance, the surface reads like a slightly awkward description of something acutely angled or incisive, but the solver is tasked with finding the word that fits this definition through a different mechanism.
Identifying the Definition and Fodder
Within the phrase "very sharp as a turn," the key is determining the definition. The most logical candidate for the definition is the word "sharp," as the clue is describing a state of keenness. The remaining words, "very," "as a," and "turn," likely serve as the fodder—an anagram indicator is often hidden in "as a" or simply implied by the instruction "turn." This suggests that the letters within these surrounding words need to be rearranged to form the final answer.
Deconstructing the Anagram
Treating the letters from "very as a turn" as the source material provides a substantial pool of characters to work with. However, the inclusion of "very" adds the letter 'V', which is a high-value letter in crosswords and often a key to identifying the correct solution. The process involves jumbling these letters to find a word that means "very sharp" and fits the context of a turn or change in direction.
| Clue Component | Role | Example Contribution |
| very sharp | Definition | Acute, keen, razor |
| as a turn | Anagram fodder | Letters to rearrange |
By systematically shuffling the letters from the fodder, a solver will eventually land on the word "VAGRANT." This term perfectly encapsulates the concept of being "very sharp as a turn" because a vagrant is a wanderer, a person whose path takes sudden turns, and the 'V' at the start adds the necessary element of being very or extremely sharp in their deviation from a set path.
Confirming the Solution
The final verification lies in ensuring the answer aligns with the specific wording of the clue. A vagrant is indeed a type of tramp or drifter, a person whose life is characterized by turning away from a fixed course. The sharpness refers to the suddenness or severity of their lifestyle change, making "vagrant" the most fitting and elegant solution to this seemingly complex piece of wordplay.
