Irish Times Crosaire: Crack the Clues for April 1, 2024
by J Nandhini
Updated Apr 01, 2024
Today, we are going to reveal the answer to the crossword clue. Solving crossword clues is not just about finding answers, it's also about being creative and sharpening your skills. This article will give you the solution to today's crossword and encourage you to think creatively.
Zany ceramics add energy to frozen desserts
Ans: ICE CREAMS
"Zany ceramics" refers to ice cream cones or dishes that might be creatively designed. "Add energy" suggests something lively or exciting, which aligns with the enjoyment often associated with eating ice cream.
Terrible puns twisted into yarns
Ans: SPUN
"Terrible puns" are being described as "twisted into yarns," which means they are being spun, both in the sense of being created (spun as in spun yarn) and in the sense of being told (spun as in spinning a tale).
Spherical, too, for final resting place
Ans: ORBED
"Spherical" refers to something being round or orb-shaped. The phrase "final resting place" is often used to describe a grave, which is typically shaped like an orb or a sphere when seen from above.
Clay protects wheel covers
Ans: MUDGUARDS
"Clay" is being used metaphorically here to refer to mud, which is a common substance that splashes onto wheel covers (mudguards) to protect them from getting dirty.
Ventilates what broadcasts expose
Ans: AIRS OUT
"Broadcasts expose" suggests that broadcasts reveal information. "Ventilates" can mean to expose something to the air, which fits with the idea of airing out or revealing information.
Noble receives royal recognition for fleshy part of hearing organ
Ans: EARLOBE
"Noble" refers to a person of high rank or status. "Royal recognition" suggests that the noble (a synonym for royal) is being acknowledged. The "fleshy part of the hearing organ" is the earlobe, so the noble receiving royal recognition for the earlobe refers to the earlobe being acknowledged or honored.
Sloppy, inexpert ratio of substance used for decorating outdoors, perhaps
Ans: EXTERIOR PAINT
"Sloppy, inexpert ratio of substance" suggests that the substance is not applied well or in the correct proportions. "Used for decorating outdoors, perhaps" indicates that the substance is used for exterior decoration, which fits with exterior paint.
Copy nothing enthusiast thought was the beginning of something creative
Ans: TRACE OF AN IDEA
"Copy nothing" suggests that something is not a copy or imitation. "Enthusiast thought was the beginning of something creative" indicates that the enthusiast believed they had a starting point for a creative idea, which could be described as a "trace of an idea."
Move through liquid and cover with waterproof headgear
Ans: SWIM CAP
"Move through liquid" describes swimming. "Cover with waterproof headgear" refers to wearing a swim cap while swimming, which covers the head and protects hair from getting wet.
Confer honour upon even extreme peer
Ans: ENNOBLE
"Confer honor upon" means to give honor or elevate in status. "Even extreme peer" suggests that the peer being honored is considered equal even in extreme circumstances, which describes the act of ennoblement.
Team tips back, left in the middle of stretching exercise
Ans: SIDE SPLIT
"Team tips back" suggests leaning back or tipping to the side, which is part of the movement in a side split. "Left in the middle of stretching exercise" indicates the position of being split.
Mistake revealed when interrogators abandon toasting
Ans: ERROR
"Mistake revealed" suggests an error being exposed. "Interrogators abandon toasting" indicates removing the letters "ing" (abandoning) from "toasting," leaving "toast," which is a mistake (error).
Compensates French country
Ans: PAYS
"Compensates" is a synonym for "pays." "French country" refers to France, so the answer is "pays," which is the French word for country.
Complete oxygen range used to examine internal body parts
Ans: ENDOSCOPE
"Complete oxygen range" can refer to "end," "oxygen," and "scope." An endoscope is a medical instrument used to examine internal body parts.
One very dead, died all alone
Ans: ISOLATED
"One very dead" suggests a single letter "I" (one) followed by an anagram of "died" (very dead), which gives "isolated," meaning all alone.
Disorganised lumberer forgets URL in smouldering coal
Ans: EMBER
"Disorganised" indicates an anagram, and "lumberer" is an anagram of "emberlur." "Forgets URL" suggests removing "url" from "emberlur," leaving "ember," which is a smouldering coal.
Shout up after heater briefly - wide throw for audio show
Ans: RADIO BROADCAST
"Shout up after heater briefly" suggests taking the first letters of "heater" and "briefly" (H and B) and reversing them ("up"), which gives "UBH." "Wide throw for audio show" indicates "radio broadcast," which is a wide dissemination of audio content. Combining "UBH" and "radio broadcast" gives the answer.
Own up and let pair in, reportedly
Ans: ADMIT TO
"Own up" means to admit, and "let pair in, reportedly" suggests a homophone (sounds like) for "two," which sounds like "to."
To ingratiate oneself, southern detective returns Irish Ship to an elevated position
Ans: SIDLE UP
"To ingratiate oneself" is to sidle up. "Southern detective" is a slang term for a private detective (PI), which is reversed ("returns") to "IP" (Irish Ship). "To an elevated position" indicates that this word is positioned higher in the sentence, which gives "sidle up."
Supposed to be soft, old city sheltered area for editor
Ans: PURPORTED
"Supposed to be" suggests "purported." "Soft" can be "purred." "Old city" is "Troy" (a city of ancient legend). "Sheltered area" can be "ed" (a hidden or sheltered place). Putting these together gives "purported."
Settled requirement intercepted by saint
Ans: NESTED
"Requirement" can be "need." "Intercepted by saint" suggests putting "st" (an abbreviation for "saint") inside "need," giving "nested" (settled, like a bird in a nest).
Guiding spirits to protect one article and endless sticky substances
Ans: GUARDIAN ANGELS
"Guiding spirits to protect" suggests "guardian angels." "One article" is "an." "Endless sticky substances" suggests removing the last letter of "gels" (sticky substances), giving "gel." Putting these together gives "guardian angels."
Add what belongs to him, father, yes, up to and including the present moment
Ans: TO THIS DAY
"What belongs to him" is "his." "Father, yes" is "to." "Up to and including the present moment" is "day." Putting these together gives "to this day."
Happy-go-lucky referee, lacking direction, trails accountant
Ans: CAREFREE
"Happy-go-lucky" suggests "carefree." "Referee, lacking direction" is "ref," which is reversed ("trails") to give "fer." "Accountant" is "CA." Putting these together gives "carefree."
To drive out old flame - beat?
Ans: EXPULSE
"To drive out" is to expel. "Old flame" suggests "ex" (an old partner or flame). "Beat" suggests "pulse." Putting these together gives "expulse."
Pioneer in liberal department worried excessively
Ans: FRETTED
"Pioneer in liberal department" suggests "Fred" (a pioneer in a department store, for example). "Worried excessively" is "fretted."
United States drug supply halves and therefore depletes
Ans: USES UP
"United States" is "US." "Drug supply halves" suggests removing the last letter of "drugs" (supply), giving "drug." Putting these together gives "uses." "Therefore depletes" suggests "up," so putting "uses" and "up" together gives "uses up."
Rub or irritate Spanish donkey
Ans: BURRO
"Rub or irritate" suggests "rub." "Spanish donkey" is "burro," which is a type of donkey.
