2 Down

NYT Daily • August 1, 2025

Nagging desire

Answer:

ITCH

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue \"Nagging desire\":\n\n**\"It might make you scratch—or crave something more.\"**\n\nThis hint gently points toward both the physical and metaphorical meanings of \"itch\" without giving away the answer directly. It encourages the solver to think about the word in a broader sense while keeping the solution within reach."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Nagging desire"** leads to the answer **"ITCH"** through a combination of literal and figurative meanings. - **Literal Meaning**: An "itch" is a physical sensation that can feel like a nagging, persistent irritation, creating a desire to scratch. - **Figurative Meaning**: The word "itch" can also describe a strong, persistent desire or craving (e.g., "an itch to travel"), reinforcing the idea of a nagging urge. The wordplay here is straightforward, relying on the dual meaning of "itch" to fit both the physical and metaphorical interpretations of the clue. No complex puns or cultural references are involved—just a clever use of the word's inherent flexibility.

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