Irish Daily Mail Cryptic Crossword Clue Answer for April 22nd, 2024
by Gayathri
Updated Apr 22, 2024
The Irish Daily Mail Cryptic Crossword puzzle is a word game in the Irish Daily Mail newspaper. It's called "cryptic" because the clues are tricky and need some thinking to solve. Lots of people who like word games and puzzles enjoy playing it.
Nice build-up's mistakenly not given promotion?
UNPUBLICISED
This clue involves a bit of wordplay with an anagram. "Nice build-up's mistakenly" suggests rearranging the letters of "nice build-up's" to form a new word. If you mix these letters, you can get "UNPUBLICISED," which means not promoted or made public. The clue hinges on recognizing that "mistakenly" indicates an anagram and aligning it with the definition suggested by "not given promotion."
Solvent and less bloated?
THINNER
The clue plays on the dual meanings of "thinner." In one sense, "thinner" is a solvent used in painting to thin paint. In another, it refers to something less bloated or physically reduced in thickness. The wordplay and definition are straightforward once the double entendre is understood.
Small group engaged in a lot of repellent criticism
VITRIOL
This clue uses the container method where one set of letters is put inside another. "Small group" can be abbreviated as "TRIO," and "a lot of repellent criticism" can be interpreted as "VITRIOL," which means bitter criticism or severe hostility. The word "TRIO" is literally enclosed within "VIT" and "OL" to form "VITRIOL."
Support a country in Africa lacking refined promotional material?
PROPAGANDA
"Support" can be indicated by "PROP," and the rest involves a bit of indirect charades. One could interpret "a country in Africa lacking refined" as needing to take an African country and modifying it, though directly this might not seem obvious. The term "PROPAGANDA" itself refers to biased or misleading information used to promote a political cause or point of view, matching the definition of "promotional material."
Foolish talk from chap that's snubbed two snubbed two females
GUFF
The phrase "foolish talk" is the definition here. The phrase "chap that's snubbed two snubbed two females" cryptically leads to "GUFF." This clue is tricky and seems to involve a play on removing (snubbing) letters or parts of words, but in a non-standard format. Simplifying, "guff" commonly means nonsensical or foolish talk, aligning with the definition.
MP near do in order to cite a celebrity?
NAME DROP
Here, "to cite a celebrity" is cleverly described by "NAME DROP," which is the act of mentioning the name of a famous person to impress others. The wordplay includes "MP" (Member of Parliament) and "near do" which likely indicates an anagram or rearrangement of some parts, though the exact method is unclear. "NAME DROP" fits the definition smoothly.
Second area containing haunt in Italian city
MODENA
"Italian city" is the straightforward definition. The wordplay involves "Second" which is represented by "MO" (a short form of 'moment' as in a brief second), "area" which can be abbreviated as "A", and "haunt" might cryptically suggest "DEN."
Instinctive reaction in instant, we hear
TIC
The clue hinges on the definition "instinctive reaction," which is a "TIC," a small repetitive movement often made unconsciously.
Henry in charge with trophy? It's minor problem
HICCUP
"It's minor problem" is the definition. Here, "Henry" is abbreviated to "H," "in charge" can be "IC" (In Command), and "with trophy" suggests "CUP." Combining these gives, representing a small or minor issue or interruption.
Caterer upset by front of diner that's full of holes?
CRATERED
"Full of holes" suggests a surface marked by pits or indentations - "CRATERED." "Caterer upset" indicates an anagram of "caterer," and "front of diner" gives the letter "D." Rearranging "caterer" with "D" leads to CRATERED, fitting the description of a surface with many holes or craters.
Element in understanding a Mexican diversion
GAME
The phrase "a Mexican diversion" suggests a common game or sport played in Mexico. The "element in understanding" can imply an essential or basic component often understood (or part of the wordplay hinting at simplicity). The term "GAME" directly matches the definition of a diversion or sport, fitting both culturally and linguistically.
Mutual vice possibly that's growing?
CUMULATIVE
"Mutual vice possibly" suggests an anagram of "mutual vice," and "that's growing" indicates a property of accumulating or building up over time. Re-arranging "mutual vice" gives us "CUMULATIVE," which means increasing or growing by accumulation.
Number in Paris on the rise stop working
SEIZE UP
"Number in Paris" hints at a French word for a number, which is "six". "On the rise" suggests a reversal (in a down clue, this would mean to write it backward, but it remains unchanged here). "Stop working" is the definition, matched by "SEIZE UP," meaning to halt or fail to function.
Reserve club stocking ordinary Arctic vehicle?
ICEBOAT
This clue uses the container method where one element is inside another. "Reserve club" implies a kind of 'club' or group held in reserve. "Stocking" signals that something is inside something else. "Ordinary" is often abbreviated to "O." Putting "O" inside an appropriate word leads us to "ICEBOAT," a type of vehicle used on ice in Arctic regions.
Flatterers working on board ship for independent sorts?
SELF STARTERS
This clue hints at characteristics or types of people. "Flatterers working on board ship" involves those who might be ingratiating or sycophantic (as part of the crew), working independently or starting initiatives themselves, leading to "SELF-STARTERS." The phrase suggests people who are motivated and initiate things without needing external prompts.
Class supporting academic body in official outfit
UNIFORM
"Class supporting" suggests backing or underlying, "academic body" can refer to an educational institution like a "UNI" (university), and "official outfit" is the definition, meaning standard attire or clothing. "UNIFORM" fits as it is a standard outfit worn by members of an organization and cleverly includes "UNI" (an abbreviation for university) as part of the word.
Strongly criticise judge with peculiar overbearing figure
PANJANDRUM
This clue employs an anagram. "Strongly criticise" could imply "PAN," and "judge" can be represented by "J." The phrase "with peculiar" suggests an anagram of the following words. "Overbearing figure" is the definition.
Composer Alban has a word in French for oily substance
BERGAMOT
Here, the clue refers to "Composer Alban," which directly suggests Alban Berg. The solution involves using "Berg" followed by "a mot" (French for 'a word'). Thus, combining "Berg" with "a mot" gives BERGAMOT, which is an oily substance extracted from the rind of a bergamot orange.
Enter invoice with commercial title lastly
INVADE
"Enter" is the definition here. "Invoice" can be denoted as "INV," and "commercial" is often abbreviated to "AD."
Negligible amount in outlay at intervals
IOTA
"Negligible amount" is the definition. The phrase "in outlay at intervals" suggests taking letters from "outlay" at set intervals. If we take every second letter of "outlay," we get "OTA." When adding the initial 'I' from "in," we derive IOTA, which signifies a very small amount.
Investigator in city with Yorkshire banker, gastronome?
EPICURE
his clue is a little complex with multiple wordplays involved. "Investigator" might suggest "PI" (Private Investigator), and "in city" indicates that it's surrounded by something related to a city. "Yorkshire banker" refers to a river, which in this context is "URE" (a river in Yorkshire).
Posh agent set to move has to act more quickly
STEP ON THE GAS
The entire clue forms a phrase meaning to hasten or act more quickly. The clue's surface reading suggests a 'posh agent set to move,' which could be interpreted as a command to an upper-class agent to hurry, but cryptically it compiles into the common phrase "step on the gas," which means to accelerate or hurry up.
Daft headline requiring alteration? It's vitally important
LIFE AND DEATH
The phrase "daft headline requiring alteration" suggests an anagram of "daft headline." When rearranged, although not a straightforward anagram, it creatively forms a phrase that emphasizes extreme importance or urgency, "life and death."
Infringe first part of code about bird kept in confines of temple
CONTRAVENE
Here, "Infringe" is the definition. "First part of code" gives us "CON." "About" suggests a container indicator, with "bird" giving "RAVEN," and "confines of temple" indicates taking the outer letters of "Temple" (T, E). Putting it all together, we have CON + T(RAVEN)E, forming CONTRAVENE.
By the sound of it, choice film
PIC
"Choice film" hints at a homophone of a word describing a popular or choice film. "Pic" is a casual term for picture (a synonym for film), and it sounds like "pick," which means a choice or selection. Thus, the answer is PIC, playing on the sound similarity.
One whose role is continual dealing?
CROUPIER
The clue describes someone who continually deals cards in a casino. A "croupier" is precisely this, a dealer at a gambling table who helps manage the game and handle bets and payouts.
Destructive contact sport in old Western country
RUINOUS
This clue appears to use the metaphor of a "contact sport" to describe something destructive, and "old Western country" to give an air of decay or downfall, symbolizing destruction. The answer, "RUINOUS," describes something that causes ruin or severe damage, matching the description of being destructively impactful like a contact sport.
Eagerly seize spring and parts on a regular basis
JUMP AT
"Eagerly seize" is the definition. "Spring" suggests "JUMP," and "parts on a regular basis" hints at taking letters regularly from a word or phrase, although here it’s more straightforward with AT being a simple addition to complete the phrase.
Some rifle a forest for piece of foliage
LEAF
This clue cleverly uses the wordplay of "some," indicating a hidden word within the clue. "Rifle a forest" contains the hidden word "LEAF," which is a piece of foliage.
