Not come unglued

ADHERE

["**Hint:** \"Stick to the plan, or stick to the surface—this word means to hold fast.\"\n\nThis hint gently guides the solver by emphasizing the idea of sticking or holding together, which is central to the answer, without directly repeating the original clue."]

The clue **"Not come unglued"** leads to the answer **"ADHERE"** through a combination of definition and wordplay. - **Definition:** "Not come unglued" suggests staying attached or sticking together, which aligns with the meaning of **"adhere"** (to stick firmly to something). - **Wordplay:** The phrase **"come unglued"** is an idiom meaning to fall apart or lose composure. The word **"unglued"** hints at the opposite of sticking, reinforcing the idea of adhesion. The prefix **"un-"** negates the action, so **"not come unglued"** implies remaining stuck or adhering. Thus, the clue cleverly uses both the literal and figurative meanings of sticking to lead to the answer **"ADHERE."**