Irish Independent Cryptic Answers and Explanations (April 24, 2024)
by Ramya R
Updated Apr 24, 2024
Improve your general knowledge by solving today’s puzzle. It's not just about knowing words, it's about facts and what's happening now. This crossword puzzle helps you to learn new words everyday and you can also increase your vocabulary by solving the clues. So, let’s start to crack the clues.
Hold on to your bag (4)
Answer: GRIP
Hold on to your bag asks for a word that means to firmly grasp something. The answer, GRIP, perfectly fits the clue as it means to firmly hold onto something, like a bag.
Islander is in at Laura's new place (10)
Answer: AUSTRALIAN
Islander hints at someone from a specific geographical location, and Laura's new place indicates a location. The answer, AUSTRALIAN, refers to someone from the island continent of Australia, fitting both the islander clue and the reference to a place.
Little sticker can get bra clean! (8)
Answer: BARNACLE
Little sticker suggests something small that adheres to surfaces. The answer, BARNACLE, fits as it's a small marine crustacean that adheres to surfaces, like the hull of a ship, and can be used metaphorically for something stubbornly stuck.
Imprison for a hundred years (4)
Answer: CAGE
For a hundred years adds a sense of duration, but in this context, it's a metaphorical timeframe implying a long duration of containment. The answer, CAGE, is a simple enclosure often used to confine animals.
Impure sort of judge (6)
Answer: UMPIRE
Judge can refer to someone who evaluates or discerns, and impure suggests something tainted or mixed. The answer, UMPIRE, fits as it's a type of judge in sports, like baseball, who makes rulings on plays, and it also sounds like impure.
Quiver detected in quiet remorse (6)
Answer: TREMOR
Quiver detected in quiet remorse suggests a trembling sensation associated with regret, leading to the answer TREMOR. The wordplay here involves quiet indicating the need for a synonym of remorse that hints at trembling or shaking, fitting the definition of quiver.
Bigger-sounding kitchen implement (6)
Answer: GRATER
For Bigger-sounding kitchen implement the answer GRATER is derived from the wordplay. Bigger-sounding hints at a word that sounds like a synonym for grater but means larger. However, the word actually refers to an implement used in the kitchen, thus leading to the solution.
Mugs set off in one direction (6)
Answer: STEINS
Mugs set off in one direction suggests rearranging or setting off the letters of mugs to form a new word that fits the clue. The answer STEINS fits both the definition of mugs and the action of set off in one direction, as steins are large beer mugs often associated with a specific direction or culture.
Poe's lurid story about disparagement (4)
Answer: SLUR
Poe's lurid story about disparagement hints at the works of Edgar Allan Poe, known for his dark and eerie tales. The answer SLUR refers to a disparaging remark. The clue implies that within Poe's tales, there might be elements or themes related to disparagement or defamation, fitting the solution.
Reluctant to support hospital department (8)
Answer: BACKWARD
Reluctant to support hospital department (8) suggests a phrase meaning unwilling to endorse or assist a specific section of a hospital. The answer BACKWARD combines the idea of reluctance (backward) with support or endorsement (to support) to form a word meaning hesitant to assist a particular department.
Norfolk term for old weapon? (10)
Answer: BROADSWORD
Norfolk term for old weapon? (10) hints at a specific type of weapon associated with Norfolk and its historical context. The answer BROADSWORD fits both the definition of an old weapon and the geographical context of Norfolk, suggesting a traditional term for a large, two-edged sword often associated with historical warfare.
Fills inside of meat safe (4)
Answer: EATS
EATS fills inside of meat safe because EATS are what's typically stored inside a meat safe, providing a concise solution to the crossword clue.
Little flier in charge of Chinese navy? (3,7)
Answer: REDADMIRAL
RED ADMIRAL refers to both a little flier, a butterfly, and a high-ranking officer in the Chinese navy, cleverly playing with the double meaning of admiral to create an intriguing clue.
Father in discomfort (4)
Answer: PAIN
PAIN is the discomfort a father might experience, succinctly capturing the essence of the clue within the answer, highlighting the simplicity yet effectiveness of crossword puzzles.
Cupid's love is all in the mind (6)
Answer: PSYCHE
All in the mind suggests something psychological. The answer PSYCHE refers to both Cupid's lover in mythology and the term for the mind or soul, tying together the concepts of love and the mind.
Passionate study in painting (6)
Answer: ARDENT
Study in painting suggests a person who ardently immerses themselves in the art form. The answer, ARDENT, captures this fervent dedication.
Dark look from one showing evidence of violence (5,3)
Answer: BLACKEYE
Dark look implies bruising, often seen after a fight or assault. The answer, BLACKEYE, fits the description of a visible injury around the eye area.
Single event in history (4)
Answer: ONCE
Single event suggests a momentous happening, perhaps a turning point. The answer, ONCE, encapsulates the idea of a singular occurrence within the historical timeline.
Charge made by letter for opening under floor (6,4)
Answer: GROUNDRENT
Charge made by letter suggests a fee indicated in a written document. The answer, GROUNDRENT, refers to the periodic payment made by a tenant for use of land or a building.
Break in travel arrangements (8)
Answer: INTERVAL
Break in travel arrangements implies a pause or interruption. The answer, INTERVAL, reflects the temporary halt or gap in the travel schedule.
Vigorous old boy in decay (6)
Answer: ROBUST
The term old boy alludes to a male figure with experience or age, while decay suggests a decline or weakening. Combining these, we get ROBUST, which perfectly captures the idea of strength enduring despite aging or decay.
Division of broken corset (6)
Answer: SECTOR
This points to a word indicating a separation or splitting, evoking the image of something divided or fragmented. That word is SECTOR, which aligns with the concept of division and is often used in contexts like business or geography to denote a distinct part or segment.
Cries for ex-pupil on board (4)
Answer: SOBS
The term ex-pupil refers to a former student, and on board could suggest being present or involved. Bringing these together yields SOBS, which perfectly encapsulates the idea of crying or expressing sorrow, fitting the context of the clue.
We swallow advertisement for water travel (4)
Answer: WADE
We swallow implies ingestion or taking something in, while advertisement for water travel suggests a promotional message about traveling on water. The answer, WADE, fits as it denotes a mode of water travel where one moves through shallow water by walking, aligning with the imagery of ingestion and water travel.
