Run down - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

The clue "Run down" is a fantastic example of a common crossword technique: using a familiar phrase that has multiple meanings. While your first thought might be about a dilapidated building or a car hitting a pedestrian, the puzzle is guiding you toward a more figurative interpretation. This kind of misdirection is what makes crosswords both challenging and rewarding.

Clue Analysis

The phrase "run down" can mean several things:

• To be in poor physical condition (e.g., "a run-down shack").
• To collide with and knock over (e.g., "the car will run down the pedestrian").
• To lose power (e.g., "the battery is running down").
• To disparage or criticize harshly (e.g., "he's always running down his colleagues").

Crossword constructors love to exploit this ambiguity. The answer required here, DEFAME, directly corresponds to the last meaning: to harm someone's reputation through slander or libel. The clue cleverly uses a physical-sounding phrase to point to an act of reputational damage.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a clue like this, here are a few strategies to employ:

1. Pivot from the Literal: If your initial, most common interpretation of the clue doesn't seem to fit the grid's letter count or the crossing letters you have, consciously shift your thinking. Ask yourself, "What are the other ways this phrase is used?"

2. Create a Synonym Ladder: Start with the clue's meaning and try to find related words. For this clue, the process might look like this: "run down" -> "criticize" -> "speak ill of" -> "slander" -> "malign". This chain of associations can often lead you to the precise word the puzzle is looking for, in this case, DEFAME.

3. Lean on Crossings: A few key crossing letters can be a huge help. If you had the 'F' and 'M' in place, for example, you could quickly eliminate words related to physical decay or collision and focus on words related to reputation, like those involving "fame."

Background Context

The answer, DEFAME, has its roots in the concept of reputation and honor. Legally, defamation is the communication of a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual, business, or group. It's an umbrella term that covers both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written or published defamation). Because DEFAME is a concise, common verb that covers all these bases, it's a favorite among crossword constructors.

For more on the topic, you can read about Defamation on Wikipedia.

Conclusion

This clue serves as a great reminder to stay mentally flexible when solving. By recognizing that a simple phrase can have multiple layers of meaning, you can navigate these clever misdirections and arrive at the correct answer. "Run down" wasn't about physical decay, but the decay of a good name.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think about this phrase in the context of someone's reputation.
2. Hint 2: This is an action one person does to another, often using words.
3. Hint 3: It means to attack someone's good name or character.
4. Hint 4: Synonyms include slander, libel, or malign.

The answer is DEFAME.