Anagram indicator

to pieces

“to pieces” is an anagram indicator in cryptic crosswords.

An anagram clue gives you the exact letters of the answer in a jumbled order, plus a word that signals the mix-up — words suggesting disorder, change, or breakage.

Clue types
Anagram
Subtlety
moderate
Part of speech
phrase
Themes
disorder

Note: anagram phrase.

Worked example

Integrity? Oh Ron goes to pieces! (5)

Answer: HONOR

Anagram ("goes to pieces" = breaks apart) of the fodder OH RON gives HONOR. Letters O,H,R,O,N rearrange to H,O,N,O,R. The definition is "Integrity" at the start. The surface reads as a complete exclamation about a man named Ron breaking down emotionally, which buries the anagram indicator and misdirects away from the answer.


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