Jeopardy! Contestants Stumped by Clever Auto Repair Clue That Had Everyone Thinking Too Hard
Sometimes the simplest clues turn out to be the trickiest.
A seemingly easy AUTO REPAIR for 100 question from a Jeopardy!-style quiz has sparked plenty of second-guessing online after challenging players with a clever double meaning that left many overthinking the answer.
The clue read:
“Both angry people & worn-out cars can blow one.”
At first glance, many participants guessed “tire” or even “fuse,” believing the clue referred to an overheated person losing their temper or a damaged vehicle breaking down. But the quiz writers had something much more fitting in mind.
The correct answer is “gasket.”
The phrase “blow a gasket” has long been used as an idiom describing someone who suddenly loses their temper in spectacular fashion. At the same time, it’s also a genuine automotive problem. When a car blows a gasket—particularly a head gasket—it can lead to overheating, engine damage, and expensive repairs.
It’s exactly the kind of wordplay Jeopardy! fans have come to expect: one phrase with two completely different meanings that fit the same clue perfectly.
The question quickly became one of those classic examples of a clue that’s easy only after you know the answer. Many players admitted they immediately thought of “blow a tire” or “blow a fuse” before realizing neither expression works equally well for both an angry person and a failing vehicle.
The clever clue highlights what makes Jeopardy-inspired quizzes so addictive. Success isn’t just about knowing facts—it’s about recognizing language, idioms, and subtle connections that can hide in plain sight.
AUTO REPAIR for 100: Both angry people & worn-out cars can blow one
For anyone who missed it, the winning response was simple: Gasket.