ANAPODOTON

Wall Street Journal Crossword

April 29, 2026

Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry

 

An ANAPODOTON is a rhetorical device that involves a thought being interrupted or discontinued before it is fully expressed. Only the first part of a common proverb, idiom, or sentence is stated (often the subordinate clause), deliberately omitting the main clause because it is understood by the listener. Example: "When in Rome ..... " which might be said when you are implying that one should go along with what others are doing. It isn't necessary to finish the proverb - "do as the Romans do" - because it is understood.

 

Can you think of an anapodoton that might be used in the following situations?

 

1. You're talking about someone and he/she walks into the room

 

2. The evidence is overwhelming that someone is guilty of something 

 

3. "He's good at a lot of things, but not an expert at anything"

 

4. People with similar interests or life styles tend to congregate

 

5. Turn bad circumstances or a bad situation into something positive

 

6. You can't be certain of an outcome until its actually an outcome

 

7. You say or do the same thing or go to the same place as someone else 

 

8. The pressure is too much for you? Maybe you should give up.

 

9. Motivation given to someone experiencing a rough patch

 

10. People tend to try to get away with things when not being watched or supervised 

 

11. It's better to settle for a sure thing than to take a chance on gaining more 

 

Answers:

 

1. Speak of the devil .....

2. If the shoe fits .....

3. Jack of all trades .....

4. Birds of a feather .....

5. If life gives you lemons .....

6. Don't count your chickens .....

7. Great minds .....

8. If you can't stand the heat .....  

9. When the going gets tough .....

10. When the cat's away .....  

11. A bird in the hand .....