Reversal clues

A reversal clue asks you to spell something backwards. The letters you turn around might be printed in the clue, but more often they come from a short synonym you have to think of first.

How a reversal clue works

The wordplay points to a word (or a synonym you must find), and a reversal indicator tells you to write it back to front. In an Across clue the letters run right to left. In a Down clue the reversal runs bottom to top, which is why indicators like "up", "rising" and "climbing" only signal a reversal in Down clues. As always, there is a definition at one end of the clue.

Signals to look for

Signals back, returning, reversed, up, rising, overturned, backwards, returned, recalled, sent back, going back, reflected, about

A worked example

Drawer pulled back for a prize (6) → REWARD

• prize is the definition. A reward is a prize.
• pulled back is the reversal indicator.
• Drawer supplies the letters. Write DRAWER backwards and you get REWARD. The (6) confirms it. ✓

More examples

Reversals often turn one everyday word neatly into another, so it helps to read short words both ways.

Wicked, when live is turned around (4) → EVIL

Wicked is the definition and turned around is the indicator. Write LIVE backwards and you get EVIL. ✓

Puddings sent back by a stressed cook (8) → DESSERTS

Puddings is the definition and sent back is the indicator. STRESSED reversed spells DESSERTS. ✓

Common pitfalls

• Direction matters. "Up", "rising" and "climbing" indicate a reversal only in a Down clue, where letters can travel up the grid.
• The thing reversed is often a synonym you must supply yourself, not a word printed in the clue.
• Reversals often combine with other devices. A reversed word may itself be tucked inside another, so do not expect the whole answer to be one tidy backwards word.

Stuck on a clue in Decryptic? Tap ? Help and it will tell you when you are looking at a reversal and which word to turn around, so you can see the pattern for yourself.