Daily Mail Cryptic Crossword Answer For March 26, 2024
by Niranjani | Updated Mar 26, 2024
If you’re stuck in traffic jams and can’t seem to find your way out of the station, try solving Daily Mail Cryptic Crosswords. The Daily Mail Cryptic Answer is your one stop solution to solve the puzzle quickly and easily.
This answer key will keep you moving through the puzzles as if you’re a pro. So, what are you waiting for? Get back to solving the Daily Mail Cryptic Crosswords and become a master of your Crosswords.
Sully narrow pass (6)
DEFILE
"Sully" means to soil or damage. A "narrow pass" could refer to a defile, which is a narrow passage, often through mountains, making "defile" an appropriate word meaning to sully or spoil a narrow pass.
Sun-worshipper initially makes fun of garments (6)
SMOCKS
"Sun-worshipper initially" refers to the initial letters of "Sun-worshipper," which is 'S.' "Makes fun of" indicates an anagram of "makes" with 'S.' "Garments" refers to "smocks," loose outer garments worn for protection, often used in work or painting.
Given shelter but deceived (5,2)
TAKEN IN
"Given shelter" suggests "taken," meaning provided with shelter. "But deceived" implies "in," meaning someone has been deceived or tricked.
Speed for musician or bad poet covering miles (5)
TEMPO
"Speed for musician" refers to "tempo," which is the speed at which a piece of music is played. "Bad poet" could suggest an anagram indicator for "poet," which gives 'POET.' "Covering miles" indicates that the word "miles" is included within "tempo."
Cut right in middle of grotto (5)
CARVE
"Cut" is a synonym for "carve." "Right in middle" suggests taking the middle letter of the word "right," which is 'I.' "Grotto" is a place often associated with carvings or sculptures, fitting the action of carving.
Effective narration (7)
TELLING
"Effective" implies that the narration has impact or influence. "Narration" refers to the act of telling a story or recounting events. "Telling" is a word that can mean impactful or revealing, making it suitable for describing effective narration.
Silly farce is sure to appear again (9)
RESURFACE
"Silly farce" indicates something superficial or trivial. "Sure to appear again" suggests something recurring or reoccurring. "Resurface" means to come to the surface again or to reappear.
Melissa goes off without goals (7)
AIMLESS
"Melissa goes off" implies the removal of the letters "M" and "S" from the word "Melissa." "Without goals" suggests the absence of direction or purpose. "Aimless" describes someone or something lacking a clear objective or purpose.
Garment a playwright has left behind (5)
SHAWL
"Garment" refers to a piece of clothing. "Playwright" suggests using the letters "W" and "R" from the word. "Left behind" indicates the letters "SHAWL" are what's remaining.
Knock down a casual boyfriend (5)
FELLA
"Knock down" here suggests simplification or informalization. "Casual boyfriend" can be described as "fella," which is a colloquial term for a man or boyfriend.
Head of lettuce swallowed by audacious pet (7)
DARLING
"Head of lettuce" refers to the letter "L." "Swallowed by" indicates that "L" is enclosed by another word. "Audacious" implies bold or daring. "Pet" suggests a term of endearment. "Darling" is a term of endearment often used for loved ones.
Line is good in French capital (6)
LISBON
"Line" refers to the letter "L." "Good" in French is "bon." "Capital" indicates a capital city. "Lisbon" is the capital of Portugal and fits the criteria.
Trouble when international organisation takes break (6)
UNREST
"Trouble" suggests unrest or disturbance. "International organization" can be abbreviated as "UN" for the United Nations. "Takes break" suggests removing the letters "UN" (abbreviation for United Nations) from "unrest."
The cad prepared to take off (6)
DETACH
"The cad" suggests the letters "DE." "Prepared to take off" suggests the word "detach," meaning to disconnect or remove.
Indian holy man just entertaining king (5)
FAKIR
A "fakir" is an Indian holy man or ascetic. "Just" suggests using the letters "FA." "Entertaining king" implies adding the letters "KIR," resulting in "fakir."
Birds left playing tennis (7)
LINNETS
"Birds" suggest the word "linnets." "Left" suggests using the letters "L." "Playing tennis" implies the remaining letters "INNETS," resulting in "linnets."
Lead, say, for Bond's boss and others (5)
METAL
"Lead, say" refers to lead as a type of metal. "For Bond's boss" suggests the letters "M" and "E" (the boss of James Bond is M). "And others" implies adding the letters "TAL," resulting in "metal."
Put together grooming aid in east (7)
COMBINE
"Put together" suggests the word "combine." "Grooming aid" suggests the letters "COMB." "In east" indicates the letters "INE," resulting in "combine."
Ghouls wandering somewhere in Berkshire (6)
SLOUGH
"Ghouls" suggest the word "slough." "Wandering somewhere" suggests that the letters are mixed up, resulting in "slough." "In Berkshire" provides context for the word, suggesting a specific location.
Change an editor's authenticated (9)
NOTARISED
"Change" suggests an alteration. "An editor's" implies the word involves editing. "Authenticated" indicates making something official or verified. "Notarised" fits all these criteria as it means to have something certified by a notary.
Rum soul — perhaps, the brother of Remus (7)
ROMULUS
"Rum" suggests an anagram indicator. "Soul" hints at the word "soul" being rearranged. "Perhaps, the brother of Remus" implies the answer could be related to the myth of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.
Horse that is not placed in corrals or anywhere (4-3)
ALSORAN
"Horse" indicates a competitor, especially in racing. "That is not placed in corrals or anywhere" implies that the horse doesn't win or finish in the top positions. "Also-ran" refers to someone or something that doesn't win or place in a competition.
Large and dreadful — but not forbidden (6)
LAWFUL
"Large and dreadful" suggests something imposing or intimidating. "But not forbidden" implies that it's within the bounds of the law or legal. "Lawful" means conforming to the law or permitted.
Not serious under pressure in difficult situation (6)
PLIGHT
"Not serious" suggests being unserious or not solemn. "Under pressure in difficult situation" implies being in a challenging circumstance. "Plight" refers to a difficult or precarious situation.
Muse found in refrigerator (5)
ERATO
"Muse" indicates a reference to Greek mythology, where the Muses were goddesses of inspiration. "Found in refrigerator" is a cryptic indication that the letters of "Erato" can be found rearranged within the word "refrigerator."
How old? About 49 — but nimble (5)
AGILE
"How old? About 49" suggests using the word "age" with 49 being the approximate age. "But nimble" indicates that despite being older, the subject is still agile or quick. "Agile" fits this description as it means able to move quickly and easily.
