Home/Minute Cryptic/Clue

Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis (7)

Minute Cryptic clue · October 23, 2026 · answer and full explanation
By Ahmed Hassan
Answer verified against the live puzzle

The Minute Cryptic clue “Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis” (7) was set for Friday, October 23, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.

Minute Cryptic · October 23, 2026

Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis

(7)

The answer isANXIETY

No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.

Letters 7Device AnagramSet by Supware (community)Par 3Solvers 15,670

The clue, colour-coded

Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words

How this clue works

The definition

Butterflies

Our definition here is 'Butterflies', and our answer will be another word for that.

The wordplay

many + exit

This clue's fodder is 'many' and 'exit'. We'll use these letters (or some of them) to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).

The answer

ANXIETY

The clue reads “Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis” (7). The definition part — “Butterflies” — points straight at ANXIETY, and the rest of the clue builds it with anagram wordplay.

Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Supware’s own explanation →

This clue’s puzzle day

This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Friday, October 23, 2026. Open the October 23, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.

More Minute Cryptic clues

Donation boxes are said to be a scamOct 22See answer →Being in Rome, “X” is ten, certainlyOct 21See answer →Cash lost in ‘em recklessly!Oct 20See answer →Wrap, burger, rice and tofu - all 50% offOct 19See answer →Oh well. Cry and undo tieOct 18See answer →Fudge: best idea when you have high blood sugar?Oct 17See answer →hOmeWrecker, FamousLy!Oct 16See answer →Are you okay recording rap about overcoming obstacles on the streets?Oct 15See answer →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer to “Butterflies, beginning to break free from many cocoons, exit after metamorphosis”?
The answer is ANXIETY (7 letters). Tap the reveal button above to see it in the answer card.
How do I read a cryptic clue like this?
Every cryptic clue has two halves: a straight definition (at the start or the end) and a piece of wordplay that builds the same word letter by letter. Find the definition first, count the letters from the enumeration, then work out which trick the rest of the clue is playing.
Is there a new Minute Cryptic every day?
Yes — one cryptic clue a day at minutecryptic.com, plus community-set clues. We publish each day’s answer and breakdown here shortly after it goes live.