Get the Answers for Independent's Cryptic Crosswords April 1, 2024
by J Divya | Updated Apr 01, 2024
If you're a beginner or a pro, there's a tricky crossword for everyone. Today’s Independent's Cryptic Crosswords can be challenging and that’s why we are here. Get the clues here and solve them. If you find it difficult, we also have answers.
Star Wars movie fan cast Ewok here, somehow (3,5,7)
THE FORCE AWAKENS
"The Force Awakens" is a Star Wars movie. The clue suggests that the title contains "Ewok" and is related to Star Wars fandom.
Everything with pickle- (5)
WHOLE
"Whole" means complete or entire. The clue suggests that "everything" includes or is followed by "pickle" to form the word "whole."
No good to go for effort in English show (9)
ESTABLISH
"Establish" means to set up or create. The clue suggests removing "G" (no good) from "go" and adding it to "effort in English" to form "establish."
Dish's undercooked part (7)
RAREBIT
"Rarebit" is a dish made with a savory sauce poured over toast. The clue suggests that "undercooked" or "rare" is part of the word "rarebit."
Old lady suffered and didn't speak up (7)
MUMBLED
"Mumbled" means to speak unclearly. The clue suggests that "old lady" (Mum) suffered and didn't speak up (bled) combine to form "mumbled."
Work restricted without concerning them? (8)
OPPONENT
"Opponent" is someone who competes against another. The clue suggests removing "them" (concerning them) from "opponent" to get "oppo," which is "work" reversed (restricted).
Siegfried finally entering Ring cycle (5)
PEDAL
A "pedal" can be part of a bicycle or a musical instrument. The clue suggests that the final letter of "Siegfried" (d) is entering "Ring cycle" (part of the word "cycle") to form "pedal."
Scotsman's no company for returning Indian, say (5)
OCEAN
"Ocean" is a large body of saltwater. The clue suggests that "Scotsman's no" (Scotsman without the "no," which is ON backwards) is "company for returning Indian, say" (IE, which is "i.e." backwards) to form "ocean."
Broadcast TV OK with Eric Idle (4,4)
TICKOVER
"Tickover" means the idling speed of an engine. The clue suggests that "TV OK" (OK on TV) is combined with "Eric Idle" to form "tickover."
Type of card enclosing precious weapon (7)
SIDEARM
A "sidearm" is a weapon, often a handgun, that is worn on the side of the body. In this clue, "card" (ID) encloses "precious" (ORE) to form "sidearm."
Boring spies with very standard way of talking back (7)
PROSAIC
"Prosaic" means commonplace or dull. The word is formed from "spies" reversed (SEIP) inside "very standard" (PROA) to give "prosaic."
Millions hanging about to enjoy festival- (5,4)
MARDIGRAS
"Mardi Gras" is a festival held before Lent in some countries, involving parades and parties. The word is formed from "Millions" (M) reversed (about) followed by "to enjoy" (ARDIGRAS).
Two legs, either side of one head (5)
ONION
An "onion" has layers like the layers of an onion. In this clue, "two legs, either side of one" suggests ONI (legs of "on") surrounding (either side of) "head" (N) to form "onion."
Extortion that might leave us in the dark? (8,7)
DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
"Daylight robbery" is a phrase used to describe a situation where something is extremely overpriced or unfair. The clue humorously suggests that "extortion" (robbery) might leave us "in the dark" (daylight).
Loud cheers and mocking to welcome daughter- (6)
TAWDRY
"Tawdry" means cheap or showy. The word is formed from "Loud cheers" (TAH RAY) surrounding (to welcome) "daughter" (D) to give "tawdry."
It's self-indulgent to produce tears after each of the main awards(3,4)
EGOTRIP
An "ego trip" is an act of self-indulgence or self-centered behavior. The word is formed from "tears" (E) after each of the main awards (GOT RIP) to give "ego trip."
Umpire's call sounded excessive (9)
OVERBLOWN
"Overblown" means excessively inflated or exaggerated. The word sounds like "Umpire's call" (OVER BLOWN).
Two-time champion's beginning to warm up (5)
CHEAT
The word "cheat" can mean to act dishonestly to gain an advantage. In this clue, "two-time champion's beginning" refers to the first letters of "two-time champion," which are "T" and "T." These letters are followed by "warm up" to give "cheat."
Caution mostly exercised, holding dull-looking gun (9)
AUTOMATIC
An "automatic" is a type of gun that automatically loads and fires rounds. In this clue, "caution mostly" is "aut," "exercised" is "omatic," and "holding dull-looking" suggests the letters "a" and "t," which are "gun" (a slang term for a private detective).
5 for the People, say, almost all worthless (5)
ALBUM
An "album" can refer to a collection of music or photographs. In this clue, "5" is "a," "for" is "l," and "the People, say" is "bum," making "album."
Erected citadels in Europe, somewhat isolated (7)
ENISLED
"Enisled" means to isolate or set apart like an island. The wordplay here is "erected" (raised, which is "en" backward), "citadels in Europe" (ISLE), making "enisled."
Escape mounted under cover of school timetable (8)
SCHEDULE
"Schedule" can mean a planned timetable or program of events. In this clue, "escape" (ELUDE) is "mounted under" (placed under) "cover of school timetable" (SCHED), giving "schedule."
Thin person damaged chrome pot (9)
ECTOMORPH
An "ectomorph" is a person with a lean and delicate body build. The wordplay here is "person" (E), "damaged" (ANAGRAM of CHROME), and "pot" (P), making "ectomorph."
Enter picture books into soup packet (9)
PHOTOBOMB
"Photobomb" means to intrude into the background of a photograph without the subject's knowledge. In this clue, "picture books" (PHOTO) are "entered into" (inserted into) "soup packet" (BOMB), making "photobomb."
Exhausted student tackling new bit of maths (8)
CONSUMED
"Consumed" means to eat or use up. In this clue, "exhausted" (USED UP) and "student tackling new" (CON NEW), making "consumed."
Old tree likely to get hollowed out (7)
ELDERLY
"Old tree" suggests something that is old, and "likely to get hollowed out" indicates that it might become hollow as it ages. This describes the word "ELDERLY," which means old or aging.
Dictator engaged in river survey (7)
EXAMINE
"Dictator" is a hint to look for a leader or ruler, and "engaged in river survey" suggests a synonym for survey or inspection. Put together, it means to inspect or scrutinize, which is EXAMINE.
Meagre, filthy home's outside toilet (6)
SCANTY
"Meagre, filthy" describes something that is lacking and dirty, and "home's outside toilet" implies an external or adjunct part of a dwelling. SCANTY fits as it means lacking in quantity or quality.
I bail out? (5)
ALIBI
This clue is a play on words. "I bail out" suggests leaving or escaping, which is similar to what an ALIBI often provides—protection from being accused or punished.
Difficult question about bribe overturned (5)
POSER
"Difficult question" indicates a problem or challenge, and "about bribe overturned" suggests a reversal or flip of a word related to bribery. This leads to POSER, which can mean a difficult question or a person who poses questions.
