Cracking The Code: Your Ultimate Guide To "Some Send Ups" Crossword Clue
Have you ever stared at a crossword grid, pencil poised, only to be stumped by the deceptively simple clue "some send ups"? You’re not alone. This four-word phrase is a classic crossword puzzle curveball, appearing in everything from the New York Times to the Guardian cryptic. It’s the kind of clue that makes you feel both certain you know the answer and completely unsure all at once. What does "send up" even mean in this context? Is it literal? Slang? A verb or a noun? Unlocking this clue is a masterclass in thinking like a cruciverbalist, and understanding it will dramatically improve your puzzle-solving prowess. This guide will dissect "some send ups" from every angle, providing clear explanations, common answers, strategic approaches, and practical examples to ensure you never blank on it again.
Decoding "Some Send Ups" – The Literal and Slang Meaning
To solve the clue, you must first understand the phrase itself. "Send up" is primarily an idiomatic expression meaning to parody, satirize, or mock something in a humorous way. Think of a comedian's exaggerated impression of a politician—that’s a send-up. It originates from the idea of "sending" something up to a higher, more ridiculous plane for scrutiny. Therefore, "some send ups" is asking for a plural noun that means examples of parody or satire.
This is where the first common pitfall lies. A new solver might incorrectly parse it as a verb phrase ("to send something upwards"), leading them down a wild goose chase for shipping or aviation terms. The key is recognizing "send up" as a fixed phrasal verb with a specific, non-literal meaning. In the world of crosswords, constructors love these idiomatic phrases because they test vocabulary beyond the dictionary definition. You’re not just looking for synonyms of "send"; you’re looking for the entire concept encapsulated by the phrase. This shifts your mental framework from a literal action to a genre of humor.
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The word "some" is equally important. It signals that the answer is a plural noun. It’s not asking for the act of sending up (which would be "parody" or "satire" in its singular form), but for instances or examples of it. So your answer must be a countable plural noun. This small word narrows the field significantly. It rules out singular answers and points you toward words like "parodies," "mockeries," "takeoffs," or "spoofs." Always let these small指示 words (like "some," "a," "the") guide your part-of-speech and number (singular/plural) assumptions.
The Usual Suspects: Most Common Answers for "Some Send Ups"
While crossword answers can vary, a handful of words dominate as solutions to "some send ups." Familiarity with these will give you a massive head start. The most frequent answer, by a significant margin, is PARODIES. It fits perfectly: it’s a plural noun, it’s 8 letters (a very common length for this clue), and it’s the direct synonym for "send-ups." You’ll see this in countless puzzles.
Following closely are TAKEOFFS (8 letters) and SPOOFS (6 letters). "Takeoff" is another excellent synonym, carrying the same connotation of humorous imitation. "Spoof" is slightly more informal but equally valid. For a 9-letter answer, you might encounter MOCKERIES. This is a bit more formal and literary but is a precise fit. Less common, but possible in themed puzzles, are SENDUPS itself (7 letters, though this is rare as it’s too on-the-nose), IMITATIONS (10 letters), or LAMPOONS (8 letters).
Letter count is your best friend here. When you see the clue, immediately check the grid. How many boxes does the answer occupy? This is your single biggest constraint.
- 6 letters: Strongly suggests SPOOFS.
- 7 letters: Could be SENDUPS (unlikely) or a less common word.
- 8 letters: The sweet spot. Your top candidates are PARODIES, TAKEOFFS, or LAMPOONS.
- 9 letters: Points toward MOCKERIES or IMITATIONS.
- 10+ letters: Think IMITATIONS, SATIRES (7 letters, but note the plural), or longer descriptive phrases in themed puzzles.
Always fill in the crossing words first. The letters from the intersecting answers will often make the choice obvious. For example, if the second letter is 'A', "PARODIES" and "MOCKERIES" are in play. If it's 'T', "TAKEOFFS" becomes the clear winner.
Strategic Solving: How to Approach Ambiguous Clues Like a Pro
"Some send ups" is a perfect example of a clue that feels ambiguous but is actually quite precise with the right lens. Developing a systematic approach is key. First, identify the clue type. Is it a straight definition? A cryptic clue? In most American-style crosswords, this is a straightforward definition clue: "some send ups" = [answer]. In British or cryptic crosswords, it might be a double definition ("some" as in a type of and "send ups" as in parodies) or contain wordplay. For now, assume the common straight definition.
Your second step is brainstorm synonyms for the core concept. Don't just think of "parody." Think broadly: satire, spoof, skit, caricature, lampoon, mimicry, takeoff, mockery. Write them down mentally or on scrap paper. Then, pluralize them. Parodies, spoofs, takeoffs, mockeries, skits, caricatures. This list becomes your candidate pool.
Third, apply the constraints. Grid length is primary. But also consider the puzzle's overall theme. Is there a theme involving comedy, film, or television? That might lean toward "spoofs" (common in movie parody lists) or "takeoffs" (aviation theme pun?). The tone of the puzzle matters too. A very formal, "Timesian" puzzle might prefer "parodies" or "lampoons," while a more contemporary or playful one might use "spoofs."
Finally, use the crossings religiously. This is non-negotiable. The letters from the words that cross your target answer will eliminate 90% of your candidate list. If the first letter is 'P', you're almost certainly looking at "parodies." If it's 'S', "spoofs" jumps to the front. Let the grid guide you; it’s your co-pilot.
From Theory to Practice: Walkthroughs with Real Examples
Let’s see this strategy in action. Imagine you’re solving a Wednesday puzzle. The clue is "Some send ups" (8 letters). Your candidate list for 8 letters: PARODIES, TAKEOFFS, LAMPOONS. You look at the crossing words. The first letter, from 1-Across ("Comedy Central show with a 'News' segment"), is 'T'. Instantly, TAKEOFFS is the only fit. You fill it in, and the puzzle flows.
Now, a trickier scenario. The clue is "Some send ups" (6 letters). Your list: SPOOFS. But what if the first letter crossing is 'M'? Your list of 6-letter synonyms (mockeries? no, 9 letters) fails. This is a red flag. Either your synonym list is incomplete, or the clue is cryptic. For 6 letters starting with 'M', you might think of MIMICS (but that's people, not the acts) or MOCKS (too short). The answer might be SENDS? No, that doesn't fit. You must reconsider. Perhaps "some" is part of the wordplay. In a cryptic, "some send ups" could be an anagram indicator ("some" meaning a mixture) for the letters of SEND UPS. Anagramming SENDUPS gives... SPENDS? No. UPSEND? Not common. This is where puzzle-specific knowledge is needed. In practice, for 6 letters, SPOOFS is so dominant that a crossing 'M' would be highly unusual and suggest either a very obscure answer or an error. Trust the statistics: for 6 letters, it’s almost always SPOOFS.
Another example: a themed puzzle where the theme is "Aviation Terms." The clue "Some send ups" (8 letters) now has a double meaning. "Send up" could literally mean to dispatch an aircraft, and "some" refers to a type. The answer might be TAKEOFFS, which fits the aviation theme perfectly as a noun for the act of an aircraft leaving the ground. This is why theme awareness is a powerful tool.
Advanced Tactics: Beyond the Obvious for the Cruciverbalist
Once you’ve mastered the common answers, you can level up. First, learn to spot "&lit." clues. An "&lit." (and literally so) clue is one where the entire clue is both a definition and a wordplay description. "Some send ups" could potentially be an &lit. for SPOOFS if you parse it as "some [are] send-ups." It’s subtle, but recognizing this possibility opens doors in cryptic puzzles.
Second, understand the constructor's mindset. Puzzle makers have a finite set of words to fill a grid. They rely on "recycled" clue-answer pairs because they work. "Some send ups" = PARODIES is a classic, reliable pairing. When you see this clue, your brain should immediately think "PARODIES" for 8 letters. This pattern recognition is a huge time-saver.
Third, expand your synonym horizon deeply. Go beyond the obvious. For "send up," think: pastiche (7 letters, but an artistic imitation), pastiche is less common but possible. Travesty (8 letters, but means a false, absurd representation, stronger than just parody). Pantomime? No. Skits (5 letters). Building a robust mental thesaurus for concepts like humor, criticism, and imitation is invaluable.
Finally, use outside resources strategically. If you’re truly stuck, reputable crossword solver databases ( like Crossword Tracker, OneAcross) can show you historical answers for this clue. Don’t use them to cheat on the first try, but use them to learn. See what answers appear most frequently for different letter counts. This data-driven approach turns guesswork into knowledge.
Your Questions Answered: FAQ on "Some Send Ups" Clues
Q: Is "send ups" ever a verb clue?
A: Extremely rarely. In a standard puzzle, it will almost always be a noun phrase seeking a plural noun. If it were a verb, the clue would typically be phrased as "Sends up, as a performer" or similar, and the answer would be a verb like "MOCKS" or "SENDS."
Q: What’s the single most common answer?
A: PARODIES for 8 letters. It’s the default, go-to solution for constructors due to its perfect fit and common vocabulary.
Q: The clue was "A send-up" (singular). What’s the answer?
A: That’s a different clue. For a singular, common answers are PARODY (6 letters), SPOOF (5 letters), TAKEOFF (7 letters), or LAMPOON (7 letters). The plural "s" changes everything.
Q: I’m solving a cryptic crossword. Does the clue work differently?
A: Yes. In a cryptic, "some send ups" could be a double definition ("some" = a number of, "send ups" = parodies) or contain an anagram. The anagram indicator might be "some" (meaning mixed up). The fodder would be SEND UPS (or SENDUPS). Anagramming SENDUPS gives valid words like SPENDS (but that means "expends," not "parodies") or UPSEND (to send up, but archaic). It’s a tricky anagram. More likely in a cryptic, it’s a double definition or a hidden word clue (though "some send ups" doesn't hide a word obviously). Always check the cryptic solving rules for that specific puzzle.
Q: Why do I see this clue so often?
A: It’s a "recycled" clue or "standard" clue. Constructors use proven clue-answer pairs to fill grids efficiently. It’s a reliable, fair clue that tests a specific piece of vocabulary. Its frequency is a testament to its effectiveness.
Conclusion: Turning a Stumbling Block into a Stepping Stone
The clue "some send ups" is more than just a puzzle hurdle; it's a micro-lesson in crossword philosophy. It teaches you to look beyond literal meanings, to respect the power of small words like "some," and to trust the immutable law of letter count. By internalizing that this clue almost invariably points to a plural noun meaning parody—with PARODIES, SPOOFS, and TAKEOFFS as your holy trinity—you arm yourself with a solution that will work 95% of the time.
The next time this clue appears, don’t panic. Take a breath, count the letters, recall your synonyms, and let the crossing letters be your guide. You’re not just filling in boxes; you’re decoding a concise, elegant piece of wordplay crafted by a constructor who loves language as much as you do. This is the joy of crosswords: turning moments of confusion into satisfying "aha!" moments. So keep solving, keep building your mental lexicon, and remember—when in doubt, think send-up = parody. Now, go forth and conquer that grid.
