Sweating, out of breath, you need to sharpen up! Crossword Clue

The answer to the crossword clue Sweating, out of breath, you need to sharpen up! published by "Evening Standard - Cryptic" and we have possible answers listed below:

Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle

Today's clue "Sweating, out of breath, you need to sharpen up!" leads us to the answer "WHET". Let's explore why this answer fits the clue:

1. Sweating: This clue suggests physical exertion or activity that makes someone sweat. We can associate sweating with the idea of putting in effort or working hard.
2. Out of breath: This phrase indicates the feeling of being breathless after physical exercise. It implies that the person has been exerting themselves.
3. Sharpen: In this context, "sharpen" is a figurative term meaning to improve or enhance skills and abilities.

Now, let's see how the answer "WHET" is connected to the clue:

1. When we think of "WHET," it is commonly associated with sharpening tools, such as knives or blades, by rubbing them against a surface to make them more effective and efficient.
2. By extension, "WHET" can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of stimulating or sharpening one's skills, knowledge, or appetite for something. In this case, the clue suggests that a person who is sweating and out of breath needs to "sharpen up" their abilities.
3. The wordplay in the clue cleverly combines physical exertion with the concept of sharpening to create a direct connection to the answer "WHET".

Overall, the clue "Sweating, out of breath, you need to sharpen up!" hints at the answer "WHET," encompassing physical effort, the need for improvement, and the connection to the act of sharpening tools or skills. This provides an engaging and challenging clue for crossword enthusiasts to solve!

Definition of "WHET"

sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon)

Example :

she took out her dagger and began to whet its blade in even, rhythmic strokes

here's an extract to whet your appetite

the selection of quotations may whet your curiosity to investigate the source material

 The Crossword clue "Sweating, out of breath, you need to sharpen up!" published 2 time/s & has 1 answer/s. 

Crossword	Date	Answer
Evening Standard - Cryptic	13 February 2024	WHET