The Irish Independent Cryptic Clues and Answers Revealed for April 6, 2024
by J Divya
Updated Apr 06, 2024
Test your creativity with the Irish Independent Cryptic crossword clues. This puzzle is perfect for experienced solvers. Grab your pencil and prepare to solve the clues. You can also check the answers and explanations here to help you. Have a happy and enjoyable day.
Motorist's reserve carried around the waist (5,4)
Answer: SPARETYRE
This clue suggests a term for a spare wheel that a motorist might carry, which is typically placed in the trunk or boot of a car. The answer is "SPARE TYRE," where "SPARE" refers to a reserve or extra item, and "TYRE" refers to the rubber covering of a wheel. The clue indicates that this spare is "carried around the waist" of the car, meaning it is stored in the vicinity of the car's midsection
Small man expert at judo (3)
Answer: DAN
This clue suggests a term for a small individual who is skilled in the martial art of judo. The answer is "DAN," which refers to a level of expertise or rank in judo and other martial arts systems. In judo, a "dan" represents a degree of proficiency, with higher dans indicating greater skill and experience
Syndicate headgear for one in monastery (11)
Answer: BROTHERHOOD
This clue suggests a term for a type of headgear worn by a member of a syndicate, particularly one found in a monastery. The answer is "BROTHERHOOD," which refers to a religious order or community of monks living together in a monastery. The term "syndicate headgear" serves as a metaphor for the collective identity of the members of the monastery, known as the brotherhood.
Liberate a collection for nothing (3,4)
Answer: SETFREE
The clue suggests a phrase meaning to release something without any cost. The answer is "SET FREE," where "SET" means to release or liberate, and "FREE" indicates without cost or payment. The phrase "for nothing" implies that there is no charge associated with the act of liberation.
I tear about, being very angry (5)
Answer: IRATE
This clue indicates a word meaning to be extremely angry, with the implication of frenzied movement. The answer is "IRATE," which means extremely angry or enraged. The clue suggests that the individual is "tearing about" in a state of anger, indicating a high level of emotional agitation or disturbance.
A very loud short man causing a disturbance (6)
Answer: AFFRAY
This clue suggests a term for a commotion or disruption caused by a short individual with a loud voice. The answer is "AFFRAY," which refers to a noisy disturbance or brawl involving multiple people. The clue implies that the disturbance is instigated by a short person with a particularly loud voice.
Staff hesitate to ramble (6)
Answer: WANDER
This clue suggests a word meaning to wander or roam about aimlessly, with hesitation or uncertainty. The answer is "WANDER," which means to move about without a specific destination or purpose. The clue implies that the staff, possibly symbolic of authority or guidance, are hesitant or uncertain in their movements, leading to aimless rambling or wandering.
To get brown is a difficult chore (5)
Answer: OCHRE
This clue suggests a term for a shade of brown that may be challenging to obtain. The answer is "OCHRE," which refers to a natural earth pigment ranging from yellow to reddish-brown. The clue suggests that acquiring the color "brown" can be difficult, alluding to the process of obtaining or producing the pigment.
A word made up, initially (7)
Answer: ACRONYM
This clue suggests a term for an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase. The answer is "ACRONYM," which refers to a word formed from the initial letters or parts of a series of words. The clue indicates that the term "acronym" is itself an example of its definition, as it is formed from the initial letters of the phrase "A word made up."
Castle wrote about Flushing area (5,6)
Answer: WATERCLOSET
This clue suggests a term for a room or space associated with sanitation facilities. The answer is "WATER CLOSET," which refers to a room containing a flush toilet. The clue implies that "castle wrote" or enclosed "about Flushing area," referring metaphorically to the location of the toilet within a building.
Air returns in drowned valley (3)
Answer: RIA
This clue suggests a term for a submerged coastal feature where a river valley meets the sea. The answer is "RIA," which refers to a drowned river valley or estuary. The clue indicates that "air returns" within this geographic feature, possibly referring to the exchange of air and water in tidal movements within the ria.
Decide to put off excavation (9)
Answer: DETERMINE
This clue suggests a term for making a decision to delay digging. The answer is "DETERMINE," which means to make a decision or reach a conclusion. The clue involves "determine," meaning decide, and "mine," a term for excavation or digging. Putting off excavation suggests delaying or postponing the digging process.
Quiet painter on the way up is equal to the rest (3)
Answer: PAR
This clue suggests a term meaning equal to the remaining amount after subtracting. The answer is "PAR," which in golf represents the number of strokes a skilled player should take to complete a hole or course.
Alien and that woman up in the air (5)
Answer: ETHER
This clue suggests a term for a substance or medium that fills space above the earth's surface. The answer is "ETHER," which refers to a hypothetical substance once thought to fill the upper regions of space. The clue involves "that woman" spelled backward (reversed), which yields "thaT," combined with "er," meaning alien. When these elements are put together and reversed, we get "ETHER," a term for the upper regions of the atmosphere.
Bowled out – but not by Lancashire! (6)
Answer: YORKED
This clue suggests a term for being dismissed in cricket, not by a particular cricketing team. The answer is "YORKED," which refers to a type of dismissal in cricket where the ball pitches on or outside the off stump and deviates sharply to hit the batsman's off stump.
Coax tie out of foreign objects (7)
Answer: EXOTICA
This clue suggests a term meaning to persuade or cajole to remove neckwear from foreign items. The answer is "EXOTICA," which refers to foreign or exotic objects, often of artistic or cultural interest.
Scraps uneven powder finishes (4,3,4)
Answer: ODDSANDENDS
This clue suggests a term for miscellaneous items or remnants that are uneven and not consistent. The answer is "ODDS AND ENDS," which refers to various small, leftover, or miscellaneous items. The clue involves "odds," meaning miscellaneous or uneven items, combined with "and" to link it with "ends," indicating remnants or leftovers.
Instrument to catch only a part of the ear (5,4)
Answer: SNAREDRUM
This clue suggests a musical instrument known for its ability to capture attention with its sound. The answer is "SNARE DRUM," where "SNARE" refers to the strings stretched across the bottom of the drum that create a buzzing sound, and "DRUM" is the percussion instrument. The clue involves "snare," which means to catch or trap, and "ear," indicating part of the word "drum."
Demand for clear road off the beaten track (3-2-3-3)
Answer: OUTOFTHEWAY
This clue suggests a phrase meaning a request for a clear path away from the usual routes. The answer is "OUT OF THE WAY," where "OUT" means away from, "OF" indicates separation, "THE WAY" refers to the usual or customary path. The phrase implies a demand for space or clearance from the usual routes or obstacles.
Programme comprising clean type of music (4,5)
Answer: SOAPOPERA
This clue suggests a term for a serialized drama typically featuring melodramatic plots and characterized by its themes. The answer is "SOAP OPERA," where "SOAP" refers to the soap advertisements that originally sponsored such programs, and "OPERA" indicates the dramatic nature of the series. The clue involves "clean type of music," where "clean" refers to soap, and "music" indicates the operatic drama of the show.
Swear Edward is to be avoided (7)
Answer: AVERTED
This clue suggests a term meaning to promise or affirm to stay away from Edward. The answer is "AVERTED," which means to turn away or prevent from happening. The clue involves "swear," which can mean to promise or vow, and "Edward," which is to be avoided or turned away, resulting in "AVERTED."
Ape-bird (6)
Answer: PARROT
This clue suggests a term for a type of bird that mimics sounds or behaviors, similar to an ape. The answer is "PARROT," which is a type of bird known for its ability to mimic human speech and other sounds. The clue involves "ape," referring to an animal known for mimicry, combined with "bird," indicating the type of animal being described.
Sovereign makes things straight (5)
Answer: RULER
This clue suggests a term for a ruler used to draw straight lines. The answer is "RULER," which refers to a measuring device used for drawing or measuring straight lines. The clue involves "sovereign," which can mean having supreme authority, being a synonym for "rule," and "makes things straight," which hints at the function of a ruler.
Refusal to go east backwards takes a long time (3)
Answer: EON
This clue suggests a term for a long period of time when someone refuses to move eastward, spelled backward. The answer is "EON," which refers to an indefinitely long period of time, often used in geological or cosmological contexts. The clue involves "refusal to go east," which is "no" spelled backward, and "takes," suggesting the definition of the term, leading to "EON."
