drinks before leaving wsj crossword

Flare Clodier Vamd

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02-01-2025

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The Wall Street Journal crossword, known for its challenging clues, often employs wordplay and misdirection. One such example is the clue "Drinks before leaving," which, at first glance, might seem straightforward. However, the WSJ often demands a more nuanced interpretation. Let's explore potential answers and the wordplay involved, drawing inspiration from the expertise found on crosswordfiend.com (though specific user contributions aren't directly quoted to avoid copyright issues).

Understanding the Clue's Ambiguity

The clue "Drinks before leaving" plays on multiple interpretations of "drinks" and "leaving." It doesn't necessarily refer to alcoholic beverages consumed before departure. Instead, the puzzle-maker is likely using "drinks" in a more figurative sense, potentially referring to:

• Consuming something: This is the most common wordplay method. "Drinks" could allude to consuming something before departing, like taking medicine or finishing a meal.
• Something that is drunk: The crossword may refer to a specific liquid, but not necessarily in the context of an alcoholic beverage. Think about the final act of using the liquid or consuming it before moving on to something else.

Possible Answers and Their Logic (inspired by crosswordfiend-style solving)

While we can't directly quote crosswordfiend solutions, let's examine plausible answers and the reasoning behind them, mirroring the thought process one would use while solving a WSJ puzzle.

• ALES: If the clue referred to alcoholic beverages, "ales" could be a possible answer. The logic here lies in the fact that one might drink ales before leaving a pub or a brewery. This is a straightforward interpretation, but the WSJ often favors more complex solutions.

• GOODBYES: This is a much more sophisticated answer, capitalizing on the figurative use of "drinks." "Drinks" in this case would act as a verb, referring to the act of consuming the last few moments with someone, a metaphorical "drinking in" of the farewell. One "drinks" the moment of saying "Goodbye" before leaving, and therefore it becomes a valid answer.

• FAREWELLS: Similar to "Goodbyes," this highlights the double meaning of "drinks" as consuming a final moment or a last drink.

Expanding Our Crossword Skills

This example demonstrates the importance of considering multiple meanings and looking beyond the literal interpretation when tackling WSJ crosswords. Here are some tips inspired by the strategies implied on sites like crosswordfiend:

• Consider multiple word forms: Words can function as nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Explore all possibilities.
• Look for synonyms and related terms: The clue might not use the exact word you need, but a synonym might fit.
• Pay attention to the surrounding clues: Crosswords are interconnected. The letters you've already filled in can provide valuable hints.
• Don't be afraid to guess: If you have a reasonable suspicion, try it. You can always erase it later.

By understanding and employing these strategies, you can improve your performance in solving challenging clues like "Drinks before leaving" and conquer even the most difficult WSJ crosswords. Remember to always approach the puzzle with a flexible mind and consider a range of meanings.