Solutions to The Irish Independent Cryptic Clues (April 18, 2024)
by Vinothini S
Updated Apr 18, 2024
The Irish Independent Cryptic crossword is a puzzle game. You can play it online. To win, you need to think hard to find the right words to put in the puzzle grid. It is a great way to learn new words every day. People of all ages like it because it's fun and enjoyable. So, let's solve today’s crossword clues.
Ravage – ravage tag to make worse
AGGRAVATE
When something worsens, it tends to ravage, which means to cause destruction or ruin. So, in a crossword context, ravage tag to make worse implies a synonym for making a situation more difficult or irritating, which is AGGRAVATE.
A street is not home
AWAY
A street is often associated with being away from home, as it's a pathway or thoroughfare that leads elsewhere. In this clue, not home suggests the opposite of being at home, which is AWAY.
Hopeless rapeseed crop – about time!
DESPERATE
A hopeless rapeseed crop implies a dire situation in agriculture, where the crop has failed miserably. About time hints at the urgency of the situation, indicating that it's time to act. Thus, the answer is DESPERATE, meaning having a feeling of despair or urgency.
Miserable organ in arid surroundings
DREARY
Describing an organ as miserable in arid surroundings conjures an image of bleakness and gloom. The word arid suggests dryness and barrenness, contributing to a sense of sadness or depression. Therefore, the answer is DREARY, meaning dull, bleak, or depressing.
Pinpoint first creeper
SNAIL
Pinpoint directs attention to something small or precise. In this context, first creeper suggests a slow-moving organism. Together, they describe a snail, a creature known for its leisurely pace.
Alternative creeper round tusk material
IVORY
Alternative creeper round tusk material hints at finding a synonym for creeper and wrapping it around the substance that makes up tusks. Ivory is commonly associated with tusks, and the term creeper suggests a word that trails or follows, making IVORY the fitting answer.
This title could mean different
NAME
When completing a crossword puzzle, the word NAME suggests that we're looking for something that could mean different. It's a term often associated with identity, as each person's name is unique to them.
Brush is another sort of plant
SHRUB
When you think of plants, a brush often comes to mind, but in this case, we're referring to a different type of vegetation. The answer is SHRUB, which is another term for a small, woody plant.
Tea's from this direction
EAST
To enjoy a cup of tea, you might want to face towards where it originated. So, the direction we're looking for here is EAST, as many of the world's tea-producing regions lie to the east of other countries.
Took horse round horse-show
RODEO
When horses are involved, and they're put through their paces in a competitive environment, it often refers to a rodeo. So, the action of taking a horse to such an event can be described as RODEO.
Deserved to have a rent re-assessed
EARNT
If someone has earned something, they deserve it, perhaps even a reassessment of their rent. The answer here is EARNT, which means to have deserved or been entitled to something through effort or work.
Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other
TWELVE
This phrase suggests that two options are essentially the same, just described differently. In this case, the answer is TWELVE, as both six of one and half-a-dozen of the other represent the same numerical value.
River insects given to fellow found in station
POLICEMAN
Imagine a scenario where someone hands river insects to a colleague in a law enforcement context. This hints at someone stationed by a river (like a policeman) receiving these creatures, suggesting the answer is POLICEMAN.
Border of a united Germany
EDGE
Think of the edge or boundary that once divided East and West Germany before they were reunified. The question refers to the edge of a united Germany, implying the answer is simply EDGE.
Out of prison, Bert is in Italy, perhaps
ATLIBERTY
This clue plays with the phrase out of prison suggesting freedom. Bert being in Italy indicates he's free to travel, hence AT LIBERTY is the answer, implying freedom or being released from confinement.
Bad luck to get difficult school punishment
HARDLINES
Difficult school punishment implies strict disciplinary measures. So, the answer HARD LINES fits, denoting a stern or severe stance, which can indeed be considered an undesirable outcome.
Chores are arranged for backed runner
RACEHORSE
Chores can be seen metaphorically as tasks, and backed runner indicates support for a specific competitor. So, the answer is RACEHORSE, referring to a horse bred or trained for racing.
Black-and-white coloured
GREY
This question seems like a paradox as black-and-white typically describes a monochrome color scheme. However, when mixed together, black and white make gray. So, the answer is GREY, highlighting a shade produced by blending black and white.
Rhode Island writer to become mature
RIPEN
Rhode Island is the hint here, implying a place that needs to ripen or mature. The answer is RIPEN, indicating the transformation or maturation of a writer, akin to fruit ripening.
Marines in bloody vessel are obnoxious creatures
VERMIN
Marines in bloody vessel suggests a scenario with soldiers in a gruesome situation, leading to an association with unpleasant creatures. The answer, VERMIN, refers to obnoxious pests or creatures, fitting the context of the clue.
Thank-you note given to gallery
TATE
Thank-you note given implies appreciation, and gallery hints at a specific location related to art. The answer is TATE, as it signifies both a gallery and, in this context, a place where thanks might be expressed.
Carts moving around yards
DRAYS
Carts moving around implies mobility within a confined space, and yards indicates the area of movement. The answer, DRAYS, refers to carts or wagons used for transporting goods, fitting the given context.
Flaunt a prop
STRUT
Flaunt suggests a showy display, and a prop indicates something used to support or enhance appearance. The answer is STRUT, as it describes a proud and confident walk or display, often associated with showing off.
Country supported by rule gets many votes
LANDSLIDE
Country supported by rule hints at a governing body or authority, and gets many votes indicates a significant victory. The answer is LANDSLIDE, which denotes a decisive victory in an election, where one side overwhelmingly secures a majority of votes.
Soldier, having insurance, got better
RECOVERED
The soldier, previously unwell but now in good health, can be described as RECOVERED. With the aid of insurance, medical expenses were covered, facilitating their recuperation.
Colour that railways have rights to
BROWN
Railways are often associated with the color BROWN, as many trains and tracks are painted in this hue. This color is distinctive to railway systems worldwide, signifying their presence and rights of way.
Thai misdirected it returning to island
TAHITI
When a package meant for Thailand is mistakenly redirected to an island, specifically TAHITI, it indicates a significant misdirection in postal or delivery services.
Pleasant about Eastern relative
NIECE
An Eastern relative who is described as pleasant is referred to as a NIECE. This term denotes a familial relationship with positive connotations, usually associated with warmth and affection.
Proceed at an animal
GOAT
To GOAT someone implies to provoke or urge them to take action, often likened to how one might prod or motivate an animal to move forward.
Upstarts cleverly concealing pie
TART
A TART is a type of pie that is cleverly concealed within the grid, showcasing the skill of its creator in crafting a puzzle with hidden solutions.
