Homophone indicator
going by the sound
“going by the sound” is a homophone indicator in cryptic crosswords.
The wordplay points to a word that sounds the same when spoken aloud. Homophones use the imagery of hearing, speech, and broadcasting.
- Clue types
- Homophone
- Subtlety
- subtle
- Part of speech
- phrase
- Themes
- sound
“Plan for parrot to spy, going by the sound (6)”
Answer: POLICY
Definition: "Plan" — a course of action. "parrot" gives a classic pet parrot's name, POLLY. "spy" gives SEE (to spy something is to see it). "going by the sound" signals a homophone. Said aloud, POLLY SEE sounds like the answer. POLLY SEE → POLICY.
Related indicators
- aloud
- announce
- apparently
- audibly
- broadcast
- by the sound of it
- declare
- echo
- express
- hear
- homophone
- I hear
- in a manner of speaking
- in conversation
- in speech
- in the ear
Explore indicator types
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