📦 Container
One word or abbreviation is placed inside another to form the answer. Indicators like "in", "around", "holding", or "containing" signal this type.
Container clues are like charades, but one piece goes inside another instead of next to it. Look for words like "in", "around", "holding", "containing", "swallowing", or "embracing" — they tell you which piece wraps around which.
Cordelia's trick: if you can identify two short pieces but they don't join up, try putting one inside the other . Click the words to find abbreviations and synonyms, then experiment with insertion. The pieces are usually right — it's just the assembly that's different.
Look through these examples — you'll start spotting the pattern after just a few. When you're ready, try the practice mode. — Cordelia
Blue fish catching cold
(4)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Blue
fish
catching
cold
Answer:
RACY
Definition:
Blue = RACY
Wordplay:
fish
=
RAY
(synonym)
cold
=
C
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
C
goes inside
RAY
=
RACY
Summary:
C(cold) inside RAY(fish)
Rebel force in ancient city
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Rebel
force
in
ancient
city
Answer:
UPRISER
Definition:
Rebel = UPRISER
Wordplay:
force
=
PRISE
(synonym)
ancient city
=
UR
(synonym)
Assembly:
PRISE
goes inside
UR
=
UPRISER
Summary:
PRISE(force) inside UR(ancient city)
Hand is good, holding spades
(4)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Hand
is
good
holding
spades
Answer:
FIST
Definition:
Hand = FIST
Wordplay:
good
=
FIT
(synonym)
spades
=
S
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
S
goes inside
FIT
=
FIST
Summary:
S(spades) inside FIT(good)
Intend to wear ripped clothing
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Intend
to
wear
ripped
clothing
Answer:
RAIMENT
Definition:
clothing = RAIMENT
Wordplay:
ripped
=
RENT
(synonym)
intend
=
AIM
(synonym)
Assembly:
AIM
goes inside
RENT
=
RAIMENT
Summary:
AIM(intend) inside RENT(ripped)
Wrong about second name of man
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Wrong
about
second
name
of
man
Answer:
SIMON
Definition:
name of man = SIMON
Wordplay:
Wrong
=
SIN
(synonym)
second
=
MO
(synonym)
Assembly:
MO
goes inside
SIN
=
SIMON
Summary:
MO(second) inside SIN(Wrong)
Quietly cutting gentleman's tree
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Quietly
cutting
gentleman's
tree
Answer:
MAPLE
Definition:
tree = MAPLE
Wordplay:
gentleman
=
MALE
(synonym)
Quietly
=
P
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
P
goes inside
MALE
=
MAPLE
Summary:
P(Quietly) inside MALE(gentleman)
Lake bed holds solidified matter
(4)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Lake
bed
holds
solidified
matter
Answer:
CLOT
Definition:
solidified matter = CLOT
Wordplay:
bed
=
COT
(synonym)
Lake
first letter =
L
Summary:
COT(synonym of "bed") + L(first letter of "Lake") [container]; definition: "solidified matter"
Old man covers chest in warm coat
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Old
man
covers
chest
in
warm
coat
Answer:
PARKA
Definition:
warm coat = PARKA
Wordplay:
Old man
=
PA
(synonym)
chest
=
ARK
(synonym)
Assembly:
ARK
goes inside
PA
=
PARKA
Summary:
ARK(chest) inside PA(Old man)
Fellow from hotel wearing headgear
(4)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Fellow
from
hotel
wearing
headgear
Answer:
CHAP
Definition:
Fellow = CHAP
Wordplay:
headgear
=
CAP
(synonym)
hotel
=
H
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
H
goes inside
CAP
=
CHAP
Summary:
H(hotel) inside CAP(headgear)
Single partner inside also excited
(8)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Single
partner
inside
also
excited
Answer:
ANIMATED
Definition:
excited = ANIMATED
Wordplay:
also
=
AND
(synonym)
single
=
I
(abbreviation)
partner
=
MATE
(synonym)
Assembly:
IMATE
goes inside
AND
=
ANIMATED
Summary:
IMATE inside AND(also)
French city soon collects six grand
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
French
city
soon
collects
six
grand
Answer:
AVIGNON
Definition:
French city = AVIGNON
Wordplay:
soon
=
ANON
(synonym)
six
=
VI
(synonym)
grand
=
G
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
VIG
goes inside
ANON
=
AVIGNON
Summary:
VI(six)+G(grand) inside ANON(soon)
Ex-PM of Germany invested in real gold
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Ex-PM
of
Germany
invested
in
real
gold
Answer:
TRUDEAU
Definition:
Ex-PM = TRUDEAU
Wordplay:
real
=
TRUE
(synonym)
Germany
=
D
(abbreviation)
gold
=
AU
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
D
goes inside
TRUE
=
TRUDEAU
Summary:
D(Germany) inside TRUE(real) + AU(gold)
Help comprehending case for philosopher
(8)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Help
comprehending
case
for
philosopher
Answer:
SOCRATES
Definition:
philosopher = SOCRATES
Wordplay:
help
=
SOS
(synonym)
case
=
CRATE
(synonym)
Assembly:
CRATE
goes inside
SOS
=
SOCRATES
Summary:
CRATE(case) inside SOS(help)
Popular Liberal upset butcher in garden
(4-5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Popular
Liberal
upset
butcher
in
garden
Answer:
WELLLIKED
Definition:
Popular = WELLLIKED
Wordplay:
WE
(literal)
Liberal
=
L
(abbreviation)
Liberal
=
L
(abbreviation)
butcher
=
KILL
(synonym)
ED
(literal)
Summary:
L = liberal = LLIK (kill (butcher) reversed (upset) contained by (in) WEED (garden
Start to tuck into sandwich and roly-poly
(6)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Start
to
tuck
into
sandwich
and
roly-poly
Answer:
ROTUND
Definition:
roly-poly = ROTUND
Wordplay:
ROUND
(literal)
tuck
first letter =
T
Summary:
ROUND(sandwich) + T(first letter of "tuck") [container]; definition: "roly-poly"
Slender holy object inscribed with C and E
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Slender
holy
object
inscribed
with
C
and
E
Answer:
GRACILE
Definition:
Slender = GRACILE
Wordplay:
holy object
=
GRAIL
(synonym)
C
(literal)
E
(literal)
Assembly:
C
goes inside
GRAIL
=
GRACILE
Summary:
C(C) inside GRAIL(holy object) + E(E)
Most inscrutable spy’s heading under cover?
(8)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Most
inscrutable
spy
s
heading
under
cover
Answer:
BLANKEST
Definition:
Most inscrutable = BLANKEST
Wordplay:
BLANKET
(literal)
spy
first letter =
S
Summary:
BLANKET(cover) + S(first letter of "spy") [container]; definition: "Most inscrutable"
Italian banker fences recently stolen picture
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Italian
banker
fences
recently
stolen
picture
Answer:
PHOTO
Definition:
picture = PHOTO
Wordplay:
Italian banker
=
PO
(synonym)
recently stolen
=
HOT
(synonym)
Assembly:
HOT
goes inside
PO
=
PHOTO
Summary:
HOT(synonym of "recently stolen") inside PO(synonym of "Italian banker" = River)
Cup of tea inspiring family activity in kitchen
(6)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Cup
of
tea
inspiring
family
activity
in
kitchen
Answer:
BAKING
Definition:
activity in kitchen = BAKING
Wordplay:
Cup of tea
=
BAG
(synonym)
family
=
KIN
(synonym)
Assembly:
KIN
goes inside
BAG
=
BAKING
Summary:
KIN(family) inside BAG(Cup of tea)
Differences in Nicaraguan rebels crossing street
(9)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Differences
in
Nicaraguan
rebels
crossing
street
Answer:
CONTRASTS
Definition:
Differences = CONTRASTS
Wordplay:
Nicaraguan rebels
=
CONTRAS
(synonym)
street
=
ST
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
ST
goes inside
CONTRAS
=
CONTRASTS
Summary:
ST(street) inside CONTRAS(Nicaraguan rebels)
Loner’s suitable moment to return, before crowds
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Loner
s
suitable
moment
to
return
before
crowds
Answer:
EREMITE
Definition:
Loner = EREMITE
Wordplay:
ERE
(literal)
suitable moment
reversed =
EMIT
Summary:
ERE(before) + EMIT(TIME reversed, "suitable moment") [container]; definition: "Loner"
Drained theatre nurse maybe collars food supplier
(7)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Drained
theatre
nurse
maybe
collars
food
supplier
Answer:
CATERER
Definition:
food supplier = CATERER
Wordplay:
theatre
minus HEATR =
TE
nurse
=
CARER
(synonym)
Summary:
TE(THEATRE minus HEATR, "theatre") + CARER(synonym of "nurse") [container]; definition: "food supplier"
Concern of PR department that is saving publication
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Concern
of
PR
department
that
is
saving
publication
Answer:
IMAGE
Definition:
Concern of PR department = IMAGE
Wordplay:
publication
=
MAG
(synonym)
that is
=
IE
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
MAG
goes inside
IE
=
IMAGE
Summary:
MAG(publication) inside IE(that is)
Genuine article relative keeps, one cherished originally
(9)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Genuine
article
relative
keeps
one
cherished
originally
Answer:
AUTHENTIC
Definition:
Genuine = AUTHENTIC
Wordplay:
cherished
first letter =
C
article
=
THE
(abbreviation)
relative
=
AUNT
(synonym)
one
=
I
(abbreviation)
Assembly:
THE
goes inside
AUNT
=
AUTHENTIC
Summary:
THE(article) inside AUNT(relative) + I(one) + C(cherished)
Clergyman put back in prison in the US – a deep, dark hole
(6)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Clergyman
put
back
in
prison
in
the
US
a
deep
dark
hole
Answer:
CAVERN
Definition:
a deep, dark hole = CAVERN
Wordplay:
prison
=
CAN
(synonym)
Clergyman
=
REV
(synonym)
Assembly:
reversal_container:
CAVERN
Summary:
reverse REV(Clergyman), then VER inside CAN(prison)
Mother of pearly king dropped into ocean travelling with us
(8)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Mother
of
pearly
king
dropped
into
ocean
travelling
with
us
Answer:
NACREOUS
Definition:
Mother of pearly king = NACREOUS
Wordplay:
OCEAN
(literal)
US
(literal)
king
=
R
(abbreviation)
Summary:
OCEAN(ocean) + US(us) + R(abbr. "king") [container]; definition: "Mother of pearly king"
Writer receiving consent for colour of boat in nonsense poem
(3,5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Writer
receiving
consent
for
colour
of
boat
in
nonsense
poem
Answer:
PEA GREEN
Definition:
colour = PEA GREEN
Wordplay:
writer
=
PEN
(synonym)
consent
=
AGREE
(synonym)
Assembly:
AGREE
goes inside
PEN
=
PEA GREEN
Summary:
AGREE(consent) inside PEN(writer)
Exclude nothing about sweetheart for party
(5)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Exclude
nothing
about
sweetheart
for
party
Answer:
BEANO
Definition:
party = BEANO
Wordplay:
Exclude
=
BAN
(synonym)
nothing
=
O
(abbreviation)
sweetheart
=
E
(core_letters)
Assembly:
E
goes inside
BAN
=
BEANO
Summary:
E(sweetheart) inside BAN(Exclude) + O(nothing)
Offer to put in fuel when up for drive
(6)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Offer
to
put
in
fuel
when
up
for
drive
Answer:
LIBIDO
Definition:
drive = LIBIDO
Wordplay:
fuel
reversed =
LIO
Offer
=
BID
(synonym)
Assembly:
BID
goes inside
LIO
=
LIBIDO
Summary:
reverse OIL(fuel), then BID(offer) inside LIO
Person engaging lawyer Neil is back in court
(6)
Show breakdown
Try it: click any word above to look it up. Or try the Pattern finder (top right).
Colour map:
Person
engaging
lawyer
Neil
is
back
in
court
Answer:
CLIENT
Definition:
Person engaging lawyer = CLIENT
Wordplay:
court
=
CT
(abbreviation)
Neil is back
reversed =
LIEN
Assembly:
LIEN
goes inside
CT
=
CLIENT
Summary:
LIEN(reversal of "Neil is back") inside CT(abbr. "court")