Here are the Independent's Cryptic Crossword Answers (April 24, 2024)
by J Nandhini
Updated Apr 24, 2024
Crossword puzzles are getting popular these days. If you enjoy doing crosswords and want a fun challenge, Independent's Cryptic is perfect for you. You can work on this puzzle alone or team up with a friend. If you are stuck, we will help you. So, take your time, think hard, and give the answer.
Go bang, finally dropping surprise!
Answer: PEEKABOO
The clue suggests a phrase associated with a surprise, often used in games with young children where one person hides and then suddenly appears, saying "Peekaboo!" to surprise the other person. The word "bang" hints at the suddenness or surprise element, and "dropping surprise" indicates that the word "boo" (a surprise exclamation) is dropped at the end
Dump man beginning to make a mark
Answer: STIGMA
In this clue, "dump" suggests to discard or get rid of, "man beginning" refers to the letter "M" at the start of the word, and "make a mark" alludes to the definition of "stigma" as a mark or sign of disgrace or discredit. Putting these together, we get "STIGMA."
My posse occasionally laugh uncontrollably
Answer: CORPSE
In theater slang, a "corpse" refers to an actor who unintentionally breaks character by laughing uncontrollably during a performance. Here, "posse occasionally laugh uncontrollably" hints at this theater term, leading to the answer "CORPSE."
Dog, second-rate individual (that's a bit below the belt)
Answer: TAILBONE
This clue combines different elements: "Dog" suggests a canine, "second-rate individual" implies something inferior, and "that's a bit below the belt" is a hint indicating the lower part of the body. The answer, "TAILBONE," refers to the lowest part of the spine, fitting the clue's description.
I cooked with Grace Dent's scale
Answer: CENTIGRADE
"Grace Dent" is a play on words hinting at "degrees." "Scale" suggests measurement, and "cooked with" indicates using a temperature scale. Putting it together, we get "CENTIGRADE," a scale used for measuring temperature.
One tends to worship single mother
Answer: IMAM
In this clue, "one" refers to "I" (as in the first person singular), "worship" suggests a religious leader or figure, and "single mother" hints at the word "Ma," a common term for mother. When combined, "IMAM" is a religious leader in Islam, fitting the clue's description.
Dog smelt better after scrubbing sides ? it takes some beating
Answer: OMELETTE
"Dog" suggests the word "pet," and "smelt better" hints at the word "mell," which, when removed from "omelette" (scrubbing the sides), leaves the word "omelette." The phrase "it takes some beating" indicates that "omelette" is a popular dish that's hard to surpass.
Provincial politicians to admit fighting over draft
Answer: DRAW UP
"Provincial politicians" suggests "MPs" (Members of Parliament), "admit fighting" implies the removal of "war" from "draw," and "over draft" indicates the direction of the action. When combined, "DRAW UP" means to create or compose something, such as a document or plan.
Coat mostly held firm
Answer: STUCCO
In this clue, "coat" suggests a layer of material, "mostly held" hints at "stuc," and "firm" indicates a hard surface. When combined, "STUCCO" refers to a material used for coating walls and ceilings, which hardens into a durable finish.
Criminal crows about coming back
Answer: MURDERER
"Criminal crows" is a cryptic indication of the word "murderer," where "crows" suggests "murders" (acts of killing), and "coming back" implies that the word should be reversed or read backward. Therefore, "MURDERER" fits the clue's description as someone who commits murder.
Some persevered, turning back days before
Answer: EVES
Here, "Some persevered" hints at "persevered" being reversed, which gives "deve," a shortened form of "evening," or "EVE" in the plural form, meaning the period of time just before the beginning of a new day.
Keep going with the flow
Answer: SANDCASTLE
With the flow" suggests "sand," and "keep going" implies that "castle" is appended to "sand" to create a compound word. Thus, "SANDCASTLE" fits the description of an activity often done on beaches, where sand is molded into a castle shape.
I'm grateful petitions for audience exist
Answer: PRAISE BE
"Petitions for audience" are often expressions of gratitude, and "exist" indicates that these petitions are present or available. The phrase "PRAISE BE" is an expression of thankfulness or acknowledgment, fitting the clue's description.
Passing report, Brussels takes file back from Germany
Answer: EULOGY
"Brussels takes file back from Germany" suggests removing "EU" (European Union, represented by Brussels) and "G" (the abbreviation for Germany) from the word "leggy" (a synonym for "passing") to give "EULY." "Report" indicates that a eulogy is a speech or piece of writing in praise of someone who has died, fitting the clue's context
Bug expert breaking the ice
Answer: TECHIE
Here, "bug" suggests a computer glitch or issue, and "breaking the ice" hints at someone who helps resolve or address such problems, which is a "TECHIE" or a person skilled in technology and computing.
Dip in case you start to stress out
Answer: SOY SAUCE
"Dip" indicates a condiment often used for flavoring, and "stress out" suggests a need for relaxation or comfort. "SOY SAUCE" fits the description of a dipping sauce commonly used in Asian cuisine.
Have secret service overthrown Eastern European?
Answer: ELOPE
"Secret service" can refer to an intimate romantic relationship, and "overthrown Eastern European" suggests removing the first letter ("E") from "POLE" (a person from Eastern Europe). This gives "LOPE," which means to run off secretly to get married or "ELOPE."
Article follows king getting stick for not working
Answer: KAPUT
Article" suggests the word "the," and "king getting stick" hints at "K" (the first letter of "king") followed by "a" (an article). "For not working" indicates that something is broken or malfunctioning, leading to "KAPUT," which means broken or not functioning.
Spooner's drugs still leading to boozy hangover
Answer: BEER GUT
A "Spoonerism" is a linguistic error in which the initial consonants or sounds of two words are swapped. "Drugs still leading" suggests "beer" (an alcoholic beverage), and "to boozy hangover" hints at "gut" (the stomach). Putting it together, "BEER GUT" refers to the protruding stomach often associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Scandal is not in Vogue
Answer: OUTRAGE
"Scandal" suggests a situation causing public outrage, and "is not in Vogue" implies that it's not trendy or fashionable. "OUTRAGE" fits as it refers to a strong feeling of shock or anger caused by something considered unjust or offensive
Certain wages remain unsettled after private complaint
Answer: STIPEND
Certain wages" refers to a fixed regular payment, and "private complaint" could suggest "sting." When "sting" is placed after "STIPE" (an anatomical term for a projecting part), it gives "STIPEND," which is a fixed sum of money paid regularly.
Lie over crime a bit cunningly
Answer: IMBRICATE
"Lie" suggests "I'm" in slang, and "crime a bit cunningly" could indicate the word "trick." "IMBRICATE" means to overlap or arrange (things) in overlapping layers, which fits the clue's description.
Old pens in one pocket
Answer: MINIATURE
Old pens" suggests "MIN," and "one pocket" implies "U." Putting "MIN" inside "ONE" and adding "TURE" gives "MINIATURE," which refers to a smaller or scaled-down version of something, like a painting or a model.
Opposed to police in London? That's virtually everywhere
Answer: METAVERSE
Opposed to police in London" is "MET" (Metropolitan Police, often referred to as Met Police), and "That's virtually everywhere" indicates "AVERSE" (opposed). "METAVERSE" is a term that refers to a collective virtual shared space, typically created by the convergence of virtual reality, augmented reality, and the internet.
Key worker or hairdresser?
Answer: LOCKSMITH
The clue plays on the word "key" in two different contexts: a "key worker," referring to an essential worker, and a "key" as in something that opens locks. A "hairdresser" is someone who works with locks of hair, but in this case, the answer is "LOCKSMITH," someone who works with locks and keys.
Bawdy old book set
Answer: OBSCENE
Bawdy old book" suggests something lewd or indecent, which is often described as "OBSCENE." The word "set" could indicate that the book is arranged or categorized as such.
They coin terms?
Answer: MINTERS
"They coin terms" refers to people who create or produce coins, known as "MINTERS." The word "coin" here has a double meaning: creating currency and inventing words or phrases.
Film wrapped by Gervais perhaps is likely to fall flat
Answer: RICKETY
Film wrapped by Gervais" suggests taking the letters of "Gervais" and placing them around "ICK" (a film). "RICKETY" means unstable or likely to fall flat, which fits the description given in the clue.
It needs hint of lime when served up
Answer: SALSA
Hint of lime" suggests adding a citrusy flavor to a dish, and "when served up" indicates a reversal. "SALSA," a type of spicy sauce typically served with Mexican cuisine, fits the description as it often contains lime juice for added flavor.
Look good in charge, showing sound reasoning
Answer: LOGIC
