Pimples coming up finishes (5) cryptic crossword solution.

How the clue works

Coming up can signal a reversal, especially in a down clue. SPOTS reversed gives STOPS, which can mean finishes.

Verification steps

1. Pimples can be SPOTS.
2. Coming up can indicate reversal in a down clue.
3. Reverse SPOTS to get STOPS.
4. Synonym: STOPS can mean finishes or ends.
5. The answer contains five letters.

Why this answer is defensible

The answer STOPS is supported by three checks: the definition is finishes, the wordplay explains how the letters are produced, and the enumeration requires 5 letters. That combination is stronger than a dictionary match alone.

Clue type context

A reversal clue creates the answer by reading another word or abbreviation backwards. Directional indicators tell the solver when to reverse the letters.

Look for words such as backward, returned, rising, coming up, westbound, or reversed. In down clues, words like up or rising are often fairer than they are in across clues.

Common traps for this clue type

• Using an up-style indicator in an across clue without caution.
• Reversing the wrong word or phrase.
• Ignoring whether the reversed answer matches the definition.

When to be cautious

Confidence should be reduced if another answer fits the same enumeration and known letters better, if the definition is weaker than expected, or if the indicator does not fairly support the proposed wordplay. This page marks the current parse as medium confidence.