The Irish Independent Cryptic Answers and Explanations for April 8, 2024 is Here
by Gayathri
Updated Apr 08, 2024
Hi all, we are back with other clues and answers. Crosswords are a great way to pass time and it is also a good way to improve our thinking ability. If you are solving a clue, remember to fill in the word in the grid so that it will be easy for you to solve the puzzle quickly. We have an interesting crossword for you today. So, let’s start solving.
Question: The Spanish tie, when knotted, could denote upper-class (5)
Answer: ELITE
The Spanish tie, when knotted, could denote upper-class hints at a word that signifies a high social status. By combining the letters from The Spanish tie, we form the word ELITE, which fits the description accurately.
Question: Type of action taken in order to dodge the issue? (7)
Answer: EVASIVE
Type of action taken in order to dodge the issue? suggests a word for avoiding or sidestepping a problem. The answer, EVASIVE, aligns perfectly with this idea, reflecting behavior aimed at avoiding confrontation or addressing difficult questions directly.
Question: Shrub to make a boxer, for example, join a golf club (7)
Answer: DOGWOOD
Shrub to make a boxer, for example, join a golf club hints at a word related to plants and sports. DOGWOOD emerges from the combination of these elements, as it's a type of shrub and also incorporates dog, referencing a boxer, and wood, associated with golf clubs.
Question: Broken lamps in church (5)
Answer: PSALM
Broken lamps in church is a cryptic clue indicating a religious context. The answer, PSALM, refers to a sacred hymn or song often recited in religious settings, fitting the theme suggested by the clue.
Question: Is he involved in L.B.W. poser? (4,6)
Answer: SPINBOWLER
Spin bowler is a term in cricket used to describe a bowler who specializes in delivering balls with spin. The clue plays on the cricket term LBW (Leg Before Wicket), suggesting a connection between the person and their involvement in cricket, particularly as a spinner.
Question: Basic level of the underground? (5,5)
Answer: GRASSROOTS
The basic level refers to grassroots, which symbolizes the foundation or fundamental aspect of something. In various contexts, grassroots movements or initiatives represent the essential starting point or the common people's involvement.
Question: Mean to get drunk (5)
Answer: TIGHT
Mean here implies intending or aiming for a certain state, in this case, to become intoxicated. The word drunk typically conveys the state of being inebriated. Tight is a common slang term for being drunk, making it a concise and fitting answer.
Question: A unit is going round in a state (7)
Answer: TUNISIA
A unit can be interpreted as a single entity or a group, while going round suggests movement or encircling. In this context, it describes the action of a country encompassing something. The word state hints at a geopolitical entity, leading to the country Tunisia, which fits the letter count and contextually aligns with the clue.
Question: Transfer 500 less to a city in Germany (7)
Answer: HANOVER
Transfer 500 less suggests removing or subtracting 500 from a term, possibly a monetary value. The term city in Germany narrows down the search to German cities. With these hints, HANOVER fits perfectly when 500 less is removed from HANOVER 500, resulting in the city of Hanover.
Question: Into Frinton I come for a pick-me-up (5)
Answer: TONIC
Into Frinton may imply the inclusion of letters or elements from the word Frinton. I come for a pick-me-up suggests seeking something to uplift or refresh oneself. Tonic is a beverage often associated with revitalizing or invigorating effects, making it an apt response to the clue.
Question: Late weekend? Might almost be a burden! (4,6)
Answer: DEADWEIGHT
The phrase Late weekend? implies something that arrives towards the end of a weekend, possibly Sunday night, and Might almost be a burden suggests that it's something heavy or cumbersome. Deadweight fits perfectly, indicating something heavy and burdensome.
Question: It keeps the swingers together (5)
Answer: HINGE
It keeps the swingers together refers to a component that connects two swinging objects, like a door or gate. A hinge allows for the swinging motion while keeping the two parts together, making it a fitting answer.
Question: Hour of love? (4)
Answer: ZERO
Hour of love? suggests a time associated with love or romance. In this context, zero represents midnight, the beginning of a new day, often associated with the start of romantic outings or rendezvous.
Question: Make dull when almost at the end of the cul-de-sac (6)
Answer: DEADEN
Make dull when almost at the end of the cul-de-sac suggests the action of diminishing or reducing something to a dull state, with the phrase almost at the end of the cul-de-sac hinting at the word dead. Deaden fits as it means to make something less lively or vibrant.
Question: Map lost, possibly outside Peterhead, but found in the street (4,4)
Answer: LAMPPOST
Map lost, possibly outside Peterhead, but found in the street describes an object typically found on the street, which can be indicated by the word lost. The clue hints at a street fixture near Peterhead, leading to the answer lamp post, which fits the description perfectly.
Question: Last horse to come out of North Africa, initially (7)
Answer: FINALLY
Last horse to come out of North Africa, initially hints at a word for finally. This word is crafted by combining fin, the beginning of North Africa, with ally, leading to finally, which means ultimately or at the end.
Question: Charm works round Birkenhead with the king in London (6,4)
Answer: MARBLEARCH
Charm works round Birkenhead with the king in London is a cryptic clue for Marble Arch. Here, charm signifies a marble, works round suggests an anagram of Birkenhead resulting in berk, and the king in London indicates arch, culminating in Marble Arch, a famous landmark.
Question: Certain it's one of the poles (8)
Answer: POSITIVE
Certain it's one of the poles leads to the word positive. It plays on the dual meaning of poles, referring to both polar regions and opposite ends of a spectrum. Positive is assuredly one end of the spectrum, conveying certainty or affirmation.
Question: Beat the man that runs off without a cross (7)
Answer: TANGENT
Beat the man that runs off without a cross hints at the word tangent. Here, beat suggests tan, the man that runs off gives gent, and without a cross indicates removing the letter g, resulting in tangent, which refers to a line that touches a curve but does not intersect it.
Question: Shed more tears when causing uproar (6)
Answer: OUTCRY
Shed more tears when causing uproar clues to outcry. This cryptic hint combines shed more tears suggesting cry, and causing uproar implies out, resulting in outcry, meaning a public display of strong emotion or protest.
Question: Employing funny means of taking the morning off (5)
Answer: USING
Employing funny means of taking the morning off (5), the wordplay suggests using a humorous method to skip the morning activities. The answer, USING, aligns perfectly with this clue as it indicates utilizing or employing a comical approach to avoid the typical morning routine.
Question: Returning from school with a fiver, perhaps (4)
Answer: NOTE
Returning from school with a fiver, perhaps (4), the wordplay revolves around the concept of returning from school with a small amount of money, like a fiver, which typically refers to a five-dollar bill. The answer, NOTE, fits as it can mean a brief written message, akin to what one might return from school with, especially if it's a short note or reminder.
