Double-Edged Indicators

Most clue type indicators tell us exactly which way the wordplay works.

For example:

A swallowing B => A is the outer word, B the inner in a container clue.
A held in B => A is the inner word, B the outer in a container clue.
A lacking B => letter of B are to be removed from A in a deletion clue.
A discarded by B => letters of A are to be removed from B in a deletion clue.

Not all indicators are so clear-cut; some can logically work both ways. Here's a look at some such indicators.

Stopping

To stop is:

1. to fill or close, as in stopping a hole
2. to check or intercept, as in stopping a landslide

So, A stopping B in a cryptic clue can mean:

1. A acting as stopper inside B
   Times 24633: Stopping revolt at last, become elevated as emperor (5) TITUS
   [revol]T, in SUIT (become) reversed
   

2. A taking hold of B
   Times 24692: Heart stopping left a problem (7) TICKLER
   TICKER (heart) around L (left)

Leaving 

To leave is:

1. to go away from, as in boy leaving hometown
2. to neglect or let go of, as in boy leaving math lessons (to study literature, maybe)

So, A leaving B in a cryptic clue can mean:

1. A going away from B
   ET3382: Airmen leaving flashy angle (5) FISH
   RAF (airmen) going away from RAFFISH (flashy)
   

2. A letting go of B
   Times 23712: Notices ducks leaving river by double bend (5,3) SMALL ADS
   S (double bend) MALLARDS (ducks), letting go of R (river)

Out of

"Out of" implies:

1. lacking, as in pen out of ink
2. going away from, as in PM out of country

So, A out of B in a cryptic clue can mean:

1. A lacking B
   Everyman 3341: Fish cigarette out of front of sideboard (5) GAPER
   GASPER (cigarette) lacking S[ideboard]
   

2. A going away from B
   ET 3150: Top performer right out of the running (3) ACE
   R (right) going away from RACE (running)

Packing

To pack is:

1. to cover or envelop, as in packing oneself in warm woollens
2. to fill, as in crowds packing a train

So, A packing B in a cryptic clue can mean:

1. A covering B
   Guardian Quiptic (Pan): Take a gamble, packing thin cover for bed (7). BLANKET
   BET (take a gamble) covering LANK (thin)

2. A filling B
   Times 24406: Way to pack fodder to be able to last through the winter (5) HARDY
   RD (way) filling HAY (fodder)

Solve These

Enjoy solving these clues with double-edged indicators.

Times 24390: Frugal poet stopping penny payment (9) __O__D___
Times 22604: What transvestite does to thwart coercion, leaving university (5-5) C____ ____S
Times Championship Final 2010: Girl married out of spite (5)

Related Posts:

• Without Ado: Another multi-purpose indicator
• Reverse Anagrams: Anagram fodder and anagrind in the answer, not in the clue!
• Wordplay Inversion: When you're supposed to do the opposite of what the indicator says

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