Unravel the Mystery: Find out how to ‘Make the Grade’ on this Crossword!

As a detective working tirelessly to solve the mysterious crossword puzzle clue “Makes the grade,” I found myself embarking on a captivating journey of deduction. To crack this puzzle, I delved into the depths of my knowledge and applied a keen sense of discernment. Firstly, I considered the phrase “makes the grade” itself. This phrase commonly refers to reaching a certain level of achievement or meeting the required standards. Intriguingly, an array of potential answers came to mind, including “succeeds,” “attains,” or “achieves.” However, I pondered further, examining the number of letters in the clue and how they intersected with other words in the puzzle. With careful observation, I noticed that the letters perfectly aligned with the word “PASSES.” Ah, an “Aha!” moment emerged – “PASSES” manifests as the ideal solution that harmonizes with the given criteria. Just as a student would ultimately make the grade by receiving passing marks, so too does the word “PASSES” harmonize with the essence of the puzzle, conclusively unveiling its enigmatic nature.