Came unglued - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Came unglued," is a perfect example of how crossword puzzles often play with idiomatic language. Instead of a literal definition, the clue points to a synonymous, and in this case, equally colorful, expression. It's a fun test of our knowledge of colloquial English.

Clue Analysis

The phrase "Came unglued" means to lose one's composure, to have an emotional breakdown, or to become extremely angry. The key here is recognizing that the clue is an idiom. The solver's task is not to define 'came' or 'unglued' separately, but to find another phrase that captures the same meaning.

Notice the past tense: "Came unglued." This is a strong hint that the answer will also be in the past tense. This kind of grammatical parallelism between clue and answer is a fundamental rule in most crosswords.

Thinking Approaches

When faced with an idiomatic clue, a great strategy is to build a 'synonym ladder.'

1. Start with the clue's meaning: What are other ways to say someone lost control?

   • Fell apart
   • Lost it
   • Freaked out
   • Flew off the handle

2. Brainstorm more informal or slangy versions: This often leads to the kind of punchy answers constructors love.

   • Went ballistic
   • Went nuts
   • Went bananas

3. Consider animal-based idioms: The previous step might lead you to think about other phrases that use animals to describe wild behavior. This is a common trope in English. This line of thinking can lead you directly to the primate-themed answer.

Another approach is to rely on crossings. If you had the first few letters, WENT___, you could mentally cycle through phrases starting with "went" that mean "lost control." This process would quickly narrow down the possibilities.

Background Context

The answer, WENTAPE, is a mashup of the phrase "went ape." This American slang term emerged in the mid-20th century and means to become wild with excitement, enthusiasm, or, more commonly, anger. The imagery evokes a primate in a state of primal rage or frenzy.

It belongs to a family of similar expressions like "go bananas" and "go nuts," all of which use simple, evocative words to describe a loss of rational control. These phrases add a layer of vividness to the language and are staples in crossword puzzles.

Conclusion

Solving "Came unglued" required a leap from one idiom to another. By recognizing the meaning of the clue, paying attention to the past tense, and brainstorming synonymous slang phrases, solvers could successfully navigate from the world of adhesives to the animal kingdom. It's a classic example of how crosswords reward a flexible and associative way of thinking.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of a phrase that means 'lost one's temper' or 'freaked out.'
2. Hint 2: The answer is a two-word phrase, with the first word being a past-tense verb.
3. Hint 3: The second word in the phrase is a type of primate.
4. Hint 4: The phrase is similar to 'went bananas' or 'went wild.'