Working on the LA Times clue “Leave a black mark on, say”? Below you’ll find solver-friendly hints, a spoiler-safe reveal, and a deeper breakdown of the entry’s meaning and usage in real-world contexts. For daily help and a growing archive of clue explanations, visit Clue of the Day.
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Why “SCORCH” Fits This Clue
Editors love clues that balance literal imagery with flexible usage. SCORCH squarely captures what happens when heat or intense friction discolors a surface—think a skillet against a countertop, a hot iron on fabric, or a flare on a wood deck. The result is a darkened or charred spot—a “black mark,” as the clue puts it. Because the entry is concise, common, and versatile, it’s a fair mid-week answer that solvers can confirm quickly with crossings.
In figurative contexts, to “scorch” someone is to deliver searing criticism, leaving a reputational mark that lingers. That dual register (physical and metaphorical) makes the verb crossword-friendly: it’s widely known, yet lively enough to feel satisfying in a grid. If you drifted toward “char,” “burn,” or “sear,” you weren’t far off—but “SCORCH” typically suggests a stronger, more noticeable effect on the surface.
For dictionary definitions and usage notes, see: Merriam-Webster and Cambridge Dictionary. Those entries highlight both the literal and figurative senses common in journalism, criticism, and sports (“a scorching run”).
From a solving standpoint, watch the crosses on the vowels: SC-O-R-CH has a distinctive -OR- core and the -CH ending that pairs cleanly with many downs. If your grid was suggesting “sear” or “char,” the crossings likely pushed you toward the fuller, punchier SCORCH.
Strategy: Parse the “say”
The filler word “say” often signals an example or approximation in cluing. Here, it softens the definition: not every black mark comes from the same cause, but for example, heat can SCORCH and leave one. Look for that cue in general definitions—it’s a subtle nudge toward a category (heat damage) rather than a single specific act.
Add this to your mental list of damage verbs (SEAR, CHAR, SINGE, TARNISH—though that’s oxidation) and you’ll move faster on similar clues in future grids.
