Get the Independent's Cryptic Crossword Answers for April 23, 2024
by J Nandhini | Updated Apr 23, 2024
Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a word puzzle similar to other crosswords but has its own style. You have to figure out the right words based on the clues it gives you. Some clues are easy, some are harder. This puzzle tests how well you know words and solve puzzles. Okay, let’s start solving.
Nose traveller follows back from India
Answer: AROMA
"Nose" suggests the sense of smell, while "traveller" indicates someone or something that moves. "Follows back from India" implies reversing the word for "India" and then following it. When you reverse "India" (ADNI), you get "AROMA," which fits the context of scent or smell, matching the sense of "nose."
Relative starts to do elegant swan impression
Answer: DEPENDENT
Starts to do" indicates taking the first letters of the words "elegant swan impression." So, taking the first letters of "elegant swan impression" gives you "DESI," which, combined with "relative," forms "DEPENDENT," a term for someone who relies on or is connected to another.
Pastry Lee Mack shortly demolished, bit by bit
Answer: PIECEMEAL
Pastry" here is a red herring, meant to distract from the actual solution. "Lee Mack" is a clue for "LM," which is a common abbreviation for "shortly." "Demolished" implies taking apart or breaking down. When you demolish "Lee Mack" (LM) "bit by bit," you get "PMEAL," which, combined with "pie" and "shortly," forms "PIECEMEAL," meaning gradually or in small increments.
Flat ceramic includes date mark in Spanish
Answer: TILDE
Flat ceramic" suggests something flat made of ceramic material. "Date mark in Spanish" indicates that a word for "date" in Spanish should be inserted. The Spanish word for "date" is "fecha." When you insert "fecha" into "flat ceramic," you get "TILDE," which is a diacritical mark used in Spanish and other languages.
Jump on ice that hurts after jarring clash
Answer: SALCHOW
"Jump on ice" suggests a figure skating maneuver. "Hurts after jarring clash" hints at the sound "ow" (pronounced "ouch"), which is hidden within "clash." "Sal" can mean "jump" in French, and "chow" sounds like "chow" in "SALCHOW," which is indeed a type of figure skating jump.
Staggered by 16A and D
Answer: STEPPED
In cryptic crosswords, "16A" and "16D" refer to specific clues in the crossword grid. "Staggered" suggests a form of movement or action. In this case, "staggered by 16A and D" indicates that the answer involves the word "stepped" and is influenced by the solutions to clues 16A and 16D.
Design unfinished and home undecorated
Answer: PLAIN
"Design unfinished" suggests taking the word "plan" (a synonym for design) and removing its last letter (unfinished). "Home undecorated" implies removing the word "art" (another word for decoration) from the word "apartment" (a synonym for home). The remaining letters, "PLAIN," mean simple or undecorated
Builder who's 27 29 when the job's done
Answer: BOB
"Builder" hints at the solution being a short form or nickname for a name commonly associated with construction work. When the job is done, it's common for builders to receive a "BOB" or a small sum of money as a tip.
Child pally with old Mr Banks
Answer: MINOR
"Pally with old Mr. Banks" suggests removing the letters "pal" (a slang term for friend) from the word "playmate" (a childhood companion) and adding the abbreviation for "Mister" (Mr.). The resulting word, "MINOR," refers to a young person under the legal age of adulthood.
Curving flight of e.g. fly cut in half - what keeps it up?
Answer: INSWING
"E.g. fly cut in half" indicates that "fly" should be cut in half, resulting in the letters "fl." When you insert "fl" into the word "swing" (a term for curving motion in sports), you get "INSWING," which refers to a type of delivery in cricket that curves into the batsman.
Barefooted South African agreed to make friends
Answer: BUDDY UP
"South African" indicates that the word for barefooted is a term used in South Africa, where people often walk barefoot. "Agreed to make friends" hints at the phrase "buddy up," which means to become friends or team up with someone. So, "BUDDY UP" fits as the answer.
Meal with different side for you to take out
Answer: LYNCH
"Different side" suggests an anagram of the word "side." When you take "side" out of the word "lynch," you're left with "LYNCH," which is a term meaning to execute, especially by hanging, without legal authority.
Disastrous attempt at 16A 17 19 falling flat
Answer: BELLY-FLOP
Disastrous attempt" suggests a failure or mistake. "Falling flat" hints that the solution involves the word "flop." When you combine the solution to clues 16A, 17, and 19, you get "BELLY-FLOP," which refers to a failed dive where the belly hits the water surface.
Still 19, just one away from 18
Answer: SEVENTEEN
"Still" suggests that the solution is a synonym for "19" that means "unchanged" or "remaining the same." When you take one letter away from "eighteen," you're left with "SEVENTEEN," which fits the clue.
Parents' friend has name in cryptic clue
Answer: UNCLE
"Name in cryptic clue" indicates that the solution involves the word "name" hidden within a cryptic clue. In this case, "UNCLE" contains the word "name," fulfilling the requirement of the clue.
16A old man's holding up map the wrong way round
Answer: PAMPAS
"Old man's holding up map" suggests rearranging the letters of the words "old man" (which are P and A) and adding them to "map." "The wrong way round" indicates reversing the order of the letters. Doing this, you get "PAMPAS," which refers to vast plains in South America.
A famous 17, 17, 17 film with Sandra Bullock
Answer: HOPE FLOATS
"A famous film with Sandra Bullock" suggests that the answer is a movie title featuring the actress Sandra Bullock. "HOPE FLOATS" is a well-known film starring Sandra Bullock, fulfilling the requirements of the clue.
Secretary left without the FT is livid
Answer: PALE
Without the FT" suggests removing the letters "FT." When you remove "S" and "FT" from "PALE," you're left with the word "PALE," which can mean a pale or sickly color, including the color of someone who is livid.
What you 17 for is relevant, bar one
Answer: APPLES
"What you 17 for" refers to a specific action or item that you might seek out. "Relevant, bar one" suggests that the answer is a type of fruit that fits the context but excludes one letter. When you remove one letter from "RELEVANT," you get "APPLES," which are indeed something you might seek out.
New dustmen are not sorted by academic ability
Answer: UNSTREAMED
"New dustmen" suggests the first letters of "new" and "dustmen," which are "N" and "D" respectively. "Not sorted by academic ability" indicates that the word for "unsorted" does not involve academic grading, which is "UNSTREAMED."
Swap last pair then middle pair of 3, ringing changes
Answer: PEAL
Swap last pair then middle pair of 3" suggests rearranging the letters of the word "PEAL." "Ring changes" indicates that the rearranged letters form a new word. When you rearrange the letters of "PEAL," you get "PELA," which is "PEAL" with the last pair (L) swapped with the middle pair (E), forming the word "PEAL."
Person using ticket in response to offer
Answer: ATTENDER
"In response to offer" implies that the word for "attender" comes from an offer or invitation. "ATTENDER" fits this description, as it refers to someone who attends or responds to an offer or invitation.
Secret internet - we'd be crazy keeping record
Answer: DEEP WEB
"We'd be crazy keeping record" implies that maintaining a record of this hidden part would be unwise or irrational. "DEEP WEB" fits because it refers to the part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and is often associated with hidden or illegal activities
Jointly take bananas to lost property?
Answer: HAND-IN-HAND
Jointly take bananas" suggests holding hands, which is a form of physical connection or unity. "Lost property" refers to items that have been misplaced and can be reclaimed. "HAND-IN-HAND" fits because it describes the action of holding hands, which symbolizes unity or togetherness, and it also refers to taking something to lost property
Miniature portrait of Victoria, 12 for a 17?
Answer: PENNY BLACK
"12 for a 17" indicates the number of letters in each word. "PENNY BLACK" is a type of postage stamp featuring Queen Victoria's portrait, and it's also a play on words, as it fits the description of a miniature portrait of Victoria, and it was indeed sold for a penny in the past.
No trouble taking 50 away from 16A + 19
Answer: PAINLESS
"Taking 50 away from" suggests removing the letters "L" (Roman numeral for 50) from the words "16A" and "19." When you remove "L" from "PANEL" and "ISLAND," you get "PAIN" and "SAND," respectively. Combining "PAIN" and "SAND" results in "PAINLESS," meaning without pain or difficulty.
Decadent place has honey left over
Answer: BABYLON
"Honey left over" indicates removing the letters "H" and "Y" (honey left over) from the word "BABYLON." When you remove "H" and "Y" from "BABYLON," you're left with "BABLON," which is another spelling of "Babylon," an ancient city known for its opulence and grandeur.
Try British league and French cup
Answer: GOBLET
Try" suggests attempting or sampling something. "British league and French cup" refers to sports competitions. A "goblet" is a type of cup or drinking vessel, often associated with victory in a competition. So, "GOBLET" fits as the answer.
Quickly deflate favourite doll
Answer: POPPET
A "favourite doll" is often referred to affectionately as a "poppet." So, "POPPET" fits as the answer, as it refers to a small endearment or term of affection for someone, often used for children or loved ones.
Central section of Lexington Avenue
Answer: NAVE
"Central section" suggests the middle part of something. "Lexington Avenue" is a street in New York City. The central section of a church is often called the "nave." So, "NAVE" fits as the answer.
A typical year, banking bonus regularly
Answer: YOUR
A typical year" suggests an average or ordinary timeframe. "Banking bonus regularly" indicates taking every other letter from the phrase "banking bonus." Doing so yields "YOUR," which is a possessive pronoun, fitting the context of the clue.
