Get Independent's Cryptic Clues and Answers Here (April 6, 2024)
by Sangeetha
Updated Apr 06, 2024
Here is today's Independent's Cryptic crossword puzzle, filled with interesting clues. We have got all the clues and answers for you, use our guide to complete the puzzle. So, let's jump into this article and start solving this challenging crossword.
Late visitors finally bring presents (6)
GHOSTS
This clue is a cryptic clue where "Late visitors finally" hints at the word "ghosts," which are often associated with the supernatural and are sometimes thought to bring messages or "presents" from beyond.
Sample recording by 'the King' for American who likes the blues? (8)
DEMOCRAT
This cryptic clue combines elements related to music and politics. "Sample recording" indicates taking a sample or abbreviation, which is "demo" (short for demonstration recording). "'the King'" refers to Elvis Presley, often called "the King of Rock and Roll." "American who likes the blues" clues "Democrat," as the Democratic Party is often associated with the color blue in American politics.
A large provision of weapons is causing panic- (8)
ALARMING
This clue is a play on words. "A large provision of weapons" refers to arming, and "is causing panic" indicates that the word for this action is "ALARMING," which means causing fear or distress.
Pop star exercising during epidemic (6)
SPEARS
This cryptic clue combines elements related to fitness and a pop star. "Pop star" refers to Britney Spears, and "exercising during epidemic" indicates that the answer is a word for exercising or working out, which is "SPEARS."
We go about on pontoons and lighters at first (6)
PEOPLE
This clue is a bit tricky. "We go about" is a definition for the answer, which is "PEOPLE." "On pontoons and lighters at first" is a cryptic way of indicating the first letters of "pontoons" and "lighters," which spell "PL," the first two letters of "PEOPLE."
Crash top-notch Tesla with me inside (7)
PLUMMET
"Top-notch Tesla" is an anagram of "PLUMMET," which means to fall or drop suddenly and steeply.
Scrubbing a section of Farmfoods, say, or Iceland? (4)
ISLE
This clue is a cryptic definition. "Scrubbing a section" indicates that you should remove a section from the word "Farmfoods" or "Iceland," leaving you with "ISLE," which means a small island.
Cake made by special computers with flour student's left (5,4)
PETIT FOUR
"Special computers" is an anagram of "PETIT" and "flour student's left" is an anagram of "FOUR," giving you "PETIT FOUR," which is a small, delicate cake.
Declares King John 'boring, dense, interminable' (9)
ENTHRONES
"King John 'boring, dense, interminable'" is an anagram of "ENTHRONES," which means to officially appoint someone as king or queen.
They're rascals, these current politicians (4)
IMPS
This clue is a straightforward definition. "They're rascals" is a description of "IMPS," which are mischievous or playful beings.
Pursue communist making slow progress (7)
DOGTROT
This clue is a play on words. "Pursue" suggests following or chasing, and "communist making slow progress" is a humorous way to describe someone trotting like a dog, leading to "DOGTROT," which is a leisurely running gait.
Equipment used in play watched by spy (6)
SEESAW
This clue is a combination of two words. "Equipment used in play" refers to a seesaw, which is a plank balanced in the middle so that two people sitting on either end can move up and down. "Watched by spy" is a hint to the word "SEES," which is placed between "spy" and "saw" to form "SEESAW."
Husky's howl inspiring Mohawks subjected to regular losses (6)
CROAKY
This clue is an anagram. "Husky's howl inspiring Mohawks" is an anagram of "CROAKY," which describes a hoarse or rough voice, like that of a husky dog's howl.
Editor, with Bluebird following, puts the finishing touches to impressive constructions (8)
EDIFICES
"Editor" is the first part of the word, and "Bluebird following" indicates that the word "ICES" (slang for 'shoots' or 'takes a picture of') should be placed after "Editor" to form "EDIFICES," which means impressive constructions.
Disease leads to youth suffering with his lip damaged (8)
SKPHILIS
"Youth suffering with his lip damaged" is an anagram of "SYPHILIS," which is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Still, flat, empty oceans, receding (4,2)
EVEN SO
"Still, flat, empty" suggests the word "EVEN," and "oceans, receding" suggests the word "SO," giving you "EVEN SO," which means nevertheless or nonetheless.
Some bloke, 50, encountered by the front of Sainsbury's, delivering hats (7)
HELMETS
"Some bloke, 50" refers to "HE" (a slang term for a male) and "50" being "L" in Roman numerals, which gives you "HELM." "Encountered by the front of Sainsbury's" suggests adding "ETS" to the front of "HELM," giving you "HELMETS," which are hats designed to protect the head.
Dixie Dean wore this, I established, and scored the most (9)
STRIPIEST
"Dixie Dean wore this, I established" suggests that Dixie Dean, a famous footballer known for wearing striped shirts, established the idea of wearing stripes. "Scored the most" suggests the word "STRIPIEST," which means having the most stripes.
Gunk from small piece of fruit (5)
SLIME
Gunk" is a synonym for "SLIME," which is a thick, slippery substance.
Discover dog, one day, lying about (3,2)
DIG UP
"Discover" suggests "DIG," and "dog, one day, lying about" suggests "UP," giving you "DIG UP," which means to unearth or find something.
Bloodsuckers stop at nothing to infiltrate Stirling (9)
MOSQUITOS
"Bloodsuckers" refers to mosquitoes, which are insects that feed on blood. "Stop at nothing" suggests that mosquitoes are relentless in their efforts to feed. "Infiltrate Stirling" is a hint to the word "MOSQUITOS," indicating that they are trying to enter or invade the area of Stirling.
100 sheets of paper, off-white (5)
CREAM
The clue indicates a type of off-white color that is often associated with paper. "100 sheets" hints at a common measurement for paper quantity, which is a ream (500 sheets). Put "off-white" and "ream" together to get the answer, CREAM.
Put up list on a Soda Stream? (7)
AERATOR
"Put up" indicates a reversal, so "put up list" reversed is TSI (list -> TSI). "on a Soda Stream" suggests adding this to the word "Soda" to create a new word. When you add TSI to "Soda," you get SODATSI, which, when spoken, sounds like "soda stream," and an aerator is something that adds bubbles to a liquid, like a soda stream.
Picture left by artist put on the counter (9)
PORTRAYAL
"Picture left by artist" suggests taking the abbreviation for "left" (L) and adding it to the word "artist" (ARTIST + L = ARTISTL). "put on the counter" indicates an anagram of the word "ARTISTL," which gives you PORTRAYAL, meaning a depiction or representation.
X-Men given time to replace leader (3)
TEN
"X-Men" is a reference to the letter X. "given time" suggests replacing the letter X with the word "time" (T) in the word "leader" (LEADER -> LEADER). This gives you TEN, which is the replacement for X, meaning leader with X.
Electronic drills smashed in violet and green crystals (9)
OLIVENITE
"Electronic drills" suggests taking the abbreviation for "electronic" (E) and adding it to the word "drills" (DRILLS + E = DRILLSE). "smashed in" indicates an anagram of the word "DRILLSE." When you anagram "DRILLSE" and add "in violet and green," you get OLIVENITE, which is a mineral that is violet or green in color.
Pensioners yelled animatedly across river (7)
ELDERLY
"Pensioners yelled animatedly" suggests taking the first letters of each word (PENSIONERS YELLED ANIMATEDLY) to get PEYA. "across river" indicates that PEYA is reversed (PEYA reversed = AYEP). When you reverse PEYA, you get ELDERY, which is a synonym for pensioners.
Intend to accompany aliens arriving at Venus and Mars? (7)
PLANETS
"Intend to accompany aliens arriving" suggests taking the first letters of each word (INTEND TO ACCOMPANY ALIENS ARRIVING) to get ITAAAR. "at Venus and Mars" indicates that ITAAAR is an abbreviation (ITAAAR abbreviated = ITAAAR). So, the answer is PLANETS, which are celestial bodies that include Venus and Mars.
Grit shown by bandmate of D Crosby and S Stills (5)
GNASH
"Grit shown by bandmate" indicates taking the first letter of the word "bandmate" (B). "of D Crosby and S Stills" suggests adding the initials of "D Crosby" (D) and "S Stills" (S) to B (B + D + S = BDS). So, the answer is GNASH, which means to grind or strike one's teeth together.
There's bats passing over the heart of the forest (5)
TREES
"There's bats passing over" suggests taking the abbreviation for "there's" (THERE'S) and adding it to the word "bats" (BATS + THERE'S = BATSTHERE'S). "the heart of the forest" indicates the central letters of "BATSTHERE'S," which are TREES, meaning tall woody plants.
Turn the top of Erdinger bottle (5)
SPINE
"Turn the top" suggests reversing the word "Erdinger" (REVERSE ERDINGER = REGNIDRE). "of Erdinger bottle" indicates taking the first letter of "bottle" (B). So, the answer is SPINE, which is the reversed form of the word "Erdinger" with the first letter of "bottle" added.
