crossword clue egg on – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate resource for solving the toughest crossword puzzles. Below, you'll find comprehensive answers and explanations for the clue "egg on," organized by letter count to help you quickly find the perfect fit for your puzzle.
Solutions for "crossword clue egg on" by Letter Count
4 Letters
URGE: To encourage or strongly advise someone to do something, often with insistence.
GOAD: To provoke or annoy someone into an action, implying a push or stimulus.
PROD: To stimulate or persuade someone to do something, often subtly or persistently.
6 Letters
INCITE: To encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior), implying a strong, often negative, push.
EXHORT: To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.
PROMPT: To cause or bring about an action or feeling; to move to action.
More About "crossword clue egg on"
The phrase "egg on" is an idiomatic expression meaning to strongly encourage or incite someone to do something, often something mischievous or foolhardy. In crossword puzzles, clues like "egg on" test a solver's vocabulary for synonyms that convey this sense of encouragement or provocation.
The solutions can range from gentle urging to more forceful instigation, reflecting the nuances of the idiom itself. Common answers often evoke a sense of pushing or motivating, sometimes implying a slight negative connotation depending on the specific synonym. Recognizing these synonyms and their subtle differences is key to unlocking such clues in a crossword.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Synonyms and Nuances: "Egg on" doesn't always mean violent incitement. Think about words like "urge," "goad," or "prod," which convey lighter forms of encouragement or persuasion.
- Check Letter Count First: Once you have a potential answer, immediately verify if its letter count matches the available spaces in your puzzle. This quickly eliminates many incorrect guesses.
- Look for Common Crossword Themes: Phrases like "egg on" are frequently used. Familiarize yourself with common synonyms for encouragement, instigation, and persuasion as they often appear.
- Use Cross-References: If stuck, try solving intersecting clues first. The letters from solved intersecting words can often reveal parts of the "egg on" answer, making it easier to deduce.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do crossword clues use idioms like "egg on"?
Crossword constructors often use idioms and phrasal verbs to make clues more challenging and interesting. They test a solver's understanding of figurative language and ability to find precise single-word synonyms or closely related phrases.
What's the difference between "incite" and "urge" as answers for "egg on"?
While both mean to encourage, "incite" often carries a stronger, more negative connotation, implying stirring up trouble or violence. "Urge" is a more general term for encouraging or recommending something, without the same negative implications. The context of the surrounding clues or the puzzle's theme might help distinguish which is intended.
How can I improve my vocabulary for tricky clues like this?
Regularly reading, especially diverse texts, helps. Also, keeping a thesaurus handy or using online synonym tools can be very effective. Paying attention to how words are used in different contexts will deepen your understanding and recall for puzzles.