Container · Reversal indicator
about
“about” is a container indicator in cryptic crosswords.
One piece of wordplay is wrapped around or inserted into another. Containers use the imagery of holding, enclosing, or swallowing.
Depending on the clue, “about” can also act as a reversal indicator.
- Clue types
- Container, Reversal
- Subtlety
- subtle
- Part of speech
- phrase, adverb
- Themes
- containment
Note: Very common; X about Y = X wraps Y; Very common reversal indicator.
“Hit band carrying medium (5)”
Answer: SMASH
Container clue. Definition is "Hit" (a SMASH hit) at the start. Wordplay: "band" = SASH, "carrying" = container indicator, "medium" = M (clothing size). Inserting M into SASH gives S(M)ASH = SMASH. The surface reads as one coherent image — a chart-topping band touring with a psychic medium — so the insertion indicator "carrying" is buried as natural English rather than announcing the device.
Related indicators
- about-face
- about-turn
- absorb
- accommodate
- acquire
- admit
- adopt
- amid
- amidst
- among
- amongst
- around
- ascend
- back
- backtrack
- backward
Explore indicator types
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