The Independent's Cryptic Crossword Clues and Answers for 2nd April 2024
by J Divya | Updated Apr 02, 2024
Solving The Independent's Cryptic crossword clues can be challenging. You will get a sense of achievement by solving a tough clue. If you need any help, check our guide to find the answers to today’s puzzle
A&E collecting personal data for software company
ADOBE
Right Holy Joe inspiring base with energy
PRIVILEGE
Refuses to acknowledge record Liam's re-issued
DISCLAIMS
After month in retreat, a glimpse of Ronnie Wood
CEDAR
German master in German school - it's where you'd expect to see one
HERRING
Mysterious appearance of old saint lured pilgrims here?
LOURDES
Played march to end but missed odd bits
ACTED
Not enjoying A Study in Scarlet?
RED
Not enjoying suggests the opposite of pleasure, and A Study in Scarlet refers to a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes. The answer is RED, which is the color featured prominently in the title of the novel. The clue cleverly disguises the straightforward answer by incorporating elements of the novel's title and the color associated with it.
Set adrift between America and Australia?
ATSEA
Extract of malt is an essential for some infusions
TISANES
Does partner with this many eggs jump about wildly?
ROEBUCK
Does partner with this many eggs suggests a female deer (doe) and the number of eggs it might have, which is zero. Jump about wildly implies a behavior associated with agility and movement. The answer is ROEBUCK, which refers to a male deer (buck) of the roe deer species. The clue cleverly combines the concept of a female deer with the agility of a male deer to lead to the answer.
Scribes gathered they might be the last
RITES
Song about gold wagon puzzling South American native?
ARAUCARIA
Judge cycling to obscure Australian location
FREMANTLE
Judge cycling suggests rearranging or cycling the letters of the word Judge. Obscure Australian location indicates that we're looking for a less well-known place in Australia. The answer is FREMANTLE, which is a port city in Western Australia, known for its maritime history and as the location of the Fremantle Prison. The clue cleverly combines the idea of cycling letters with the location of Fremantle.
Attentive porter possibly has right time
ALERT
Attentive porter possibly suggests a characteristic of someone in a certain occupation. Has right time implies possessing the correct timing. The answer is ALERT, which means being watchful or attentive. The clue cleverly combines the idea of a porter being attentive with the concept of having the right timing to be alert.
Character about to hit road
CARD
Character about suggests a letter or symbol placed around another. Hit road implies going out or traveling. The answer is CARD, which can refer to a playing card or identification card. The clue suggests that a letter (character) is placed around the word road to form the answer CARD.
Knot cut when hands change spar
BOWSPRIT
Knot cut suggests removing or separating part of a word associated with tying. Hands change spar implies rearranging letters related to a part of a ship. The answer is BOWSPRIT, which is a spar extending forward from the bow of a ship. The clue suggests removing the word knot (a type of tie) from bowsprit to form the answer.
Reportedly dispose of monk here?
CELL
Jumper's odds double
SPRINGER
Jumper's odds double suggests a characteristic of an animal known for jumping, with the word odds hinting at an even-toed ungulate. The answer is SPRINGER, which refers to a type of spaniel breed known for its ability to spring or jump, particularly while hunting. The clue cleverly combines the idea of jumping with the breed name springer.
Vehicle passes Tesla occasionally
DIESEL
Vehicle passes Tesla suggests that something moves past or beyond the well-known electric car brand Tesla. Occasionally implies taking alternate letters from the phrase passes Tesla. The answer is DIESEL, which is a type of fuel used in internal combustion engines. The clue suggests taking every other letter from the phrase passes Tesla to form the answer DIESEL.
Put off dance then argue for reparation
DISCOURAGE
Put off dance suggests discouraging someone from dancing. Argue for reparation implies advocating for compensation or repair. The answer is DISCOURAGE, which means to dissuade or deter someone from doing something. The clue cleverly combines the ideas of discouraging action and seeking reparation.
LED's dead, eh? Change it
HEADED
LED's dead, eh? suggests rearranging or changing letters. Change it implies altering something. The answer is HEADED, which can mean to have taken a particular direction or to have been in charge of something. The clue hints at changing the word LED (which becomes DEAD, EH) to form the answer HEADED.
Day goes on forever for one in a rut?
DEER
Flemish earthenware drinks bottle
HEART
An Asian: one's described by that
INDONESIAN
An Asian suggests a person from a certain region. One's described by that implies that the answer describes someone from that region. The answer is INDONESIAN, which refers to someone from the Southeast Asian archipelago of Indonesia. The clue directly leads to the nationality being described.
Bad shot of actor Tom maybe ending up on top
SHANK
The dim and distant past?
DARKAGES
The dim and distant past suggests an era characterized by lack of enlightenment or knowledge. The answer is DARK AGES, which refers to the early medieval period in European history, marked by cultural stagnation, decline of learning, and lack of progress. The clue plays on the concept of darkness and obscurity associated with this historical period.
Small bolt one's installed for a collector
SQUIRREL
Small bolt suggests a type of fastener or screw. One's installed for a collector hints at the behavior of a certain animal that collects nuts. The answer is SQUIRREL, which is known for collecting and storing nuts for future use. The clue cleverly combines the idea of a small bolt with the behavior of a squirrel.
Forecaster's keeping dry in the sun?
SETTER
Begins as hooker in depleted scrums
STARTS
Begins suggests the start of something. Hooker in depleted scrums implies a position in rugby where the player initiates play by hooking the ball. The answer is STARTS, which means to begin or commence an action. The clue directly leads to the concept of initiating or commencing an action.
Vessel's crew initially removed from another ...
RAFT
Vessel's crew initially removed suggests removing the initial letters of a phrase. From another implies that the remaining letters form the answer. The answer is RAFT, which refers to a flat-bottomed boat made of planks or logs. The clue suggests removing the initial letters of Vessel's crew (VC) to form the answer RAFT.
… to then cover boat’s prow in varnish?
COAT
Cover boat’s prow in varnish implies applying a protective layer to the front of a boat. The answer is COAT, which means to apply a layer of varnish, paint, or other protective substance to a surface. The clue directly leads to the concept of applying a protective layer.
Soldiers are regularly taking DNA test
ANTS
Soldiers are regularly suggests taking every other letter from the word soldiers. Taking DNA test implies identifying a genetic code. The answer is ANTS, which refers to small insects known for their organized social structure, including the presence of soldier ants. The clue suggests taking the regular letters from soldiers to form the answer ANTS.