crossword clue take away – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the clue "crossword clue take away", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of solutions, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track.
Solutions for "crossword clue take away" by Letter Count
3 Letters
ROB: To take property from someone by force or threat.
4 Letters
GRAB: To seize suddenly and roughly.
5 Letters
STEAL: To take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
MINUS: Indicating subtraction, as in "take away 5 from 10."
ABATE: To make something less intense or widespread, effectively taking away from its force.
6 Letters
DEDUCT: To subtract or take away (an amount or part) from a total.
REMOVE: To take (something) away or off from the position it occupies.
LESSEN: To make something less or smaller, taking away from its quantity or intensity.
More About "crossword clue take away"
The clue "take away" is remarkably versatile in crosswords, which makes it both challenging and rewarding for solvers. It can refer to physical removal, such as taking an object off a shelf; arithmetical subtraction, like taking a number from a total; a reduction or lessening, where something's intensity is taken away; or even an act of theft, implying something is taken without permission. Crossword setters frequently leverage this polysemy to create clever clues that require a broad understanding of the phrase's applications.
The correct interpretation often hinges on subtle cues within the puzzle itself, such as the number of letters in the answer, intersecting letters from other solved clues, or the context provided by other words in the same clue. Sometimes, "take away" might be part of a larger idiomatic expression, or it could function as a cryptic indicator, instructing you to literally remove letters from another word or phrase presented in the clue.
Mastering clues like "take away" involves developing an agile mind that can switch between different meanings quickly. It's a prime example of how everyday language can be transformed into intriguing puzzles, pushing you to think beyond the most obvious definitions.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider all meanings: "Take away" can mean subtract, remove, lessen, or steal. Don't limit your thinking to just one definition. Always brainstorm synonyms for all possible interpretations.
- Check letter count: The number of letters in the answer slot is your biggest hint. If it's 3 letters, 'ROB' might fit. If it's 6, 'DEDUCT' or 'REMOVE' are strong contenders. Use this constraint early in your process.
- Look for context: Is there another word in the clue that hints at a specific type of "taking away"? For instance, "Take away from the total" strongly points to subtraction (DEDUCT, MINUS), while "Take away for dinner" suggests food.
- Use intersecting letters: When stuck, solve other clues that intersect with your "take away" answer. These revealed letters can be crucial in narrowing down the possibilities and confirming the correct word, especially when multiple synonyms fit the letter count.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does "take away" have so many different answers in crosswords?
"Take away" is a common English phrase with multiple literal and figurative meanings (to remove, subtract, lessen, steal, obtain food for consumption elsewhere). Crossword setters exploit this versatility to create challenging clues that require solvers to consider all possibilities.
How do I know which "take away" answer is correct?
The most important factors are the number of letters required and any additional context provided in the clue. Intersecting letters from already-solved clues are also crucial for narrowing down the possibilities.
Are there common wordplay techniques used with "take away"?
Yes, "take away" can be used in various wordplay techniques, including: Synonym (a direct synonym like DEDUCT or REMOVE), Homophone (a word that sounds like "take away" - less common, but possible), Cryptic Indicator (signifying subtraction or removal of letters within a longer word, e.g., "Take away C from CHARM" to get HARM), and occasionally as part of an Anagram indicator.