Cryptic crossword clues and the idiom principle

With this there's no clear way to trade stuff (7-3)

As a cryptic crossword clue there is always two parts- the straight clue and the cryptic clue. The straight clue is " with this there's no clear way" and the cryptic clue is " trade stuff ". The word "to" is a grammar word and has no semantic value. The following is an attempt to explain the process of solving using the syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes.

The above clue reveals how cryptic crossword compilers use the idiom approach to fool readers. A surface reading reveals how the formulaic expression of "no clear way" + the collocation "trade stuff" leads to the reader making the incorrect assumption the answer that the “this” referenced at the beginning relates to an item/abstract which makes the sale or transaction of something difficult.

Idiom principle

With this there’s no clear way   Syntagmatic  axis

                   

Experienced solvers need to employ both the idiom and the open choice principle. To begin with, using intuition they will realise the somewhat incongrous relationship between the fixed term expression" no clear way" and "trade stuff". There will and should  be a more suitable fixed term expressions which would slot in here.As a result, it becomes clear the clue has two parts. Therefore, a decision is made to seperate both parts of the clue- one " with this there's no clear way" onto the syntagmatic axis and the " trade stuff" on the paradigmatic axis

Open Choice Principle

To trade	stuff	Paradigmatic axis
Traffic	jam

This leaves two separate phrases: “With this there’s no clear way” and “to trade stuff”- the former clearly functioning as a whole to the clue and using the idiom principle it being non-compositional.

Now using the open principle of language the solver attacks the reminder of the clue using the open language principle : to trade stuff. The assumption being here that this phrase was decided upon by individual choice on to trade which will equate to a synonymic verbal infinitive equivalent and a synonym of stuff.

Thus demonstating in a haphazard way the importance of both  principles for language users