gone bad crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! Below you'll find comprehensive solutions and detailed explanations for the crossword clue "gone bad crossword clue", helping you complete your puzzle with ease and efficiency.
Solutions for "gone bad crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
OFF: Denotes food that is no longer fresh or edible, often used colloquially.
4 Letters
SOUR: Typically used for milk or other dairy products that have fermented and become unpleasant.
FOUL: Implies something that has an offensive smell or taste, indicating spoilage.
5 Letters
STALE: Describes food, especially bread or biscuits, that has lost its freshness and become dry or hard.
6 Letters
ROTTEN: Indicates a state of decay, typically for organic matter like fruit or wood.
7 Letters
SPOILED: A general term for something no longer good or usable due to decay, neglect, or over-indulgence.
DECAYED: Similar to rotten, implying the process of decomposition or deterioration over time.
More About "gone bad crossword clue"
"Gone bad" is a versatile phrase that can apply to various situations in daily life and, consequently, in crossword puzzles. Most commonly, it refers to food spoilage – a banana turning brown, milk curdling, or meat developing an unpleasant odor. In these contexts, answers like ROTTEN, SOUR, OFF, or STALE are frequently seen.
Beyond edibles, the phrase can describe a situation or relationship that has deteriorated ("things have gone bad between them"), or even a person's character ("he went bad"). While less common in crosswords, understanding these broader meanings can sometimes unlock trickier clues that don't directly relate to food.
When encountering this clue, always consider the length of the required answer and any intersecting letters. The more common answers tend to be descriptive words for a state of decay or an unpleasant change in quality.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Brainstorm Synonyms: For a clue like "gone bad," immediately think of all possible synonyms: spoiled, off, sour, rotten, stale, putrid, festered. The more words you have in mind, the better your chances of matching the grid.
- Consider Context: If there's an implied context (e.g., "Milk gone bad"), focus on specific terms like SOUR. If it's general ("Things gone bad"), broader terms like FOUL or SPOILED might fit.
- Check Letter Count First: Before you even think of specific words, look at the number of letters. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and guides your synonym brainstorming (e.g., if it's 3 letters, OFF is a strong contender).
- Use Intersecting Letters: If you have one or two letters already filled in from intersecting clues, use them as powerful hints. They can confirm a suspicion or eliminate words that don't fit the pattern.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'gone bad' imply in crossword puzzles?
In crosswords, 'gone bad' typically refers to something that has spoiled, decayed, or become unusable due to age or neglect. It can apply to food, situations, or even reputations. Common synonyms include rotten, sour, off, stale, or ruined.
Are there common word lengths for 'gone bad' answers?
Yes, answers for 'gone bad' clues often range from 3 to 7 letters. 'OFF' (3 letters), 'SOUR' (4 letters), 'STALE' (5 letters), 'ROTTEN' (6 letters), and 'SPOILED' or 'DECAYED' (7 letters) are among the most frequent.
How do I distinguish between similar 'gone bad' clues?
Context is key! If the clue implies dairy, think 'SOUR'. If it's about bread, 'STALE'. For general decay, 'ROTTEN' or 'SPOILED'. The number of letters and surrounding solved letters will also help narrow down the possibilities significantly.