In this puzzle, solvers often get stuck on the purple category, particularly with the words CHESS, CUTIE, HUMBLE, and WHOOPIE. The challenge arises from the fact that the category itself is not immediately apparent, leading to confusion. For instance, players may mistakenly group CHESS with other strategic or competitive terms, failing to recognize that it fits more coherently with the playful or whimsical nature of WHOOPIE and CUTIE. Another common pitfall is the assumption that HUMBLE belongs to a different thematic group, as it contrasts with the more lighthearted tone of the other words, which can lead to misclassification and frustration in identifying the correct group.

To distinguish the real groups from plausible decoys, solvers should look for shared characteristics in meaning or usage among the words. For the yellow group, words like ATTITUDE, CHEEK, LIP, and MOUTH all relate to expressions or behaviors that convey sassiness, making their connection clear. In contrast, terms that seem to fit the same semantic field but lack a unifying theme should be treated as decoys. For example, while CUSHION, DAMPEN, SOFTEN, and TEMPER all relate to mitigation, any word that strays from this theme should be viewed with skepticism.

One useful heuristic for future puzzles is to group words by their connotations or emotional undertones. This can help clarify whether words belong together or not, especially in categories that may not have an obvious link. Additionally, solvers should practice looking for common prefixes or suffixes, as these can often indicate a shared category, such as the '-en' ending in DAMPEN and SOFTEN, which emphasizes their relationship to moderation.