Reversal clues

A word, or a synonym for it, is written backwards to give the answer. In down clues, setters often say the word goes 'up', because reading a down answer backwards means reading it from the bottom up.

How to spot one

• Look for words about going back, returning or turning round.
• In a down clue, watch for 'up', 'raised' or 'rising'.
• Try reading short words in the clue backwards: RATS becomes STAR.
• If nothing reverses directly, reverse a synonym instead.

Common indicators

returned, back, going back, sent back, turned, reversed, reflected, recalled, retiring, about, over, round, turned up, put up, brought up, raised, rising, held up, overturned, from the east

Examples

• Rats returned as celebrity (4)
• Deer turned up in rush (4)
• Demon lived, going back (5)
• Bridge put up for short sleeps (4)
• Prize returned to part of desk (6)
• Refunded when US nappy brought back (6)