Northwest evacuated? (2,3,4)

The Minute Cryptic clue “Northwest evacuated?” (2,3,4) was set for Friday, September 18, 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 · September 18, 2026

Northwest evacuated?

(2,3,4)

The answer isUP AND LEFT

No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.

Letters 9Device Double definitionSet by Tom K (community)Par 3Solvers 14,956

The clue, colour-coded

Northwest evacuated?
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words

How this clue works

The answer

UP AND LEFT

The clue reads “Northwest evacuated?” (2,3,4).

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

This clue’s puzzle day

This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Friday, September 18, 2026. Open the September 18, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer to “Northwest evacuated?”?
The answer is UP AND LEFT (9 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.