The Irish Independent Cryptic Crossword Clue March 21 2024 Answers
by Abisha
Updated Mar 21, 2024
The March 21, 2024 The Irish Independent Cryptic Crossword Clues and Answers are updated below.
How a handyman might exert pressure? (4,3,5)
Ans: TURNTHESCREW
The clue suggests a phrase describing how a handyman might apply pressure. The answer is "TURN THE SCREW," as a handyman might exert pressure by turning a screw to tighten or secure something.
Fed up and drilled down (5)
Ans: BORED
The clue indicates a phrase meaning "fed up" and suggests another word for "drilled down." The answer is "BORED," which can mean both fed up with something and drilled down as in being uninterested or bored.
Keep rodent I love in proportion (5)
Ans: RATIO
The clue suggests a word meaning "keep" followed by a word for "rodent" with "I" (love) inside, meaning "in proportion." The answer is "RATIO," which means a relationship between two quantities, and it's formed by keeping "RAT" (rodent) with "I" (love) inside.
Follow the animal (3)
Ans: DOG
The clue simply suggests a word for "follow" that is also the name of an animal. The answer is "DOG," as a dog often follows its owner or a scent.
Runners seen on court at the double (9)
Ans: TRAMLINES
The clue suggests a phrase meaning "runners seen on court" followed by a phrase indicating "at the double," meaning quickly or in pairs. The answer is "TRAMLINES," which are the lines marking the boundaries of the playing area in tennis courts.
Melancholic with regret before terrible flu (6)
Ans: RUEFUL
The clue suggests a word meaning "melancholic" with "regret" before a word meaning "terrible flu." The answer is "RUEFUL," which means feeling or expressing sorrow or regret.
More appropriate workman? (6)
Ans: FITTER
The clue suggests a word that means "more appropriate" and a word that means "workman." The answer is "FITTER," which can mean someone who fits or assembles things and also someone who is more appropriate or suitable for a task.
Half this stealing is pulsating (9)
Ans: THROBBING
The clue suggests taking half of a word that means "stealing" to get a word meaning "pulsating." The answer is "THROBBING," as it can mean pulsating or beating rhythmically, and "THROB" is half of "THROBBING."
Ate horrible meal (3)
Ans: TEA
The clue suggests a three-letter word meaning "ate" and is also a term for a meal. The answer is "TEA," which can refer to both a light meal typically eaten in the late afternoon or evening and a drink.
Dance with odd graduate (5)
Ans: RUMBA
The clue suggests a type of dance followed by an odd or alternate letter from "graduate." The answer is "RUMBA," which is a type of dance known for its sensual movements.
Bird of prey in windy Eastern gale (5)
Ans: EAGLE
The clue suggests a five-letter term for a bird of prey that can be found in a combination of "windy" and "Eastern gale." The answer is "EAGLE," which fits the description of a bird of prey and can be found in "windy Eastern gale."
Ben, Ginger and owl at play where Jack's on top (7,5)
Ans: BOWLINGGREEN
The clue seems to describe a location where Ben, Ginger, and an owl engage in some activity, with "Jack" being on top. The answer is "BOWLING GREEN," which is a place where the game of bowling is played.
Cracking time for inclement weather? (12)
Ans: THUNDERSTORM
The clue suggests a phrase that describes inclement weather, where "cracking time" might imply a period of severe or intense weather. The answer is "THUNDERSTORM," which indeed involves thunder (cracking sound) and often heavy rain or other severe weather conditions.
Seaman visible in abstract art (3)
Ans: TAR
The clue suggests a term for a seaman (sailor) that is visible or can be found within "abstract art." The answer is "TAR," which can refer to a sailor (a colloquial term for a seaman) and is also present in "abstract art."
Arouse affection in listener after finish (6)
Ans: ENDEAR
The clue suggests a phrase meaning to elicit affection in a listener, with "finish" indicating that something comes after it. The answer is "ENDEAR," which means to cause someone to be liked or loved, and it comes after "finish" in the clue.
Christmas pursuit of girl with fish (9)
Ans: CAROLLING
The clue suggests a term for a Christmas activity that involves a girl and fish. The answer is "CAROLLING," which refers to the tradition of singing Christmas carols, with "Carol" being a common girl's name and "ling" being a type of fish.
Consumed at school, say (5)
Ans: EATEN
The clue suggests a word that means "consumed" and could also be something done at school. The answer is "EATEN," which fits both the idea of consuming food and is something that might occur at school during lunchtime.
Liberal nations cover protection of the landscape (12)
Ans: CONSERVATION
The clue indicates that "liberal nations" are providing cover for the protection of the landscape. The answer is "CONSERVATION," which refers to the protection and preservation of the environment or natural resources, and "liberal nations" here suggests an expansive effort towards conservation.
Listen in on the French horn (5)
Ans: BUGLE
The clue implies that the answer is a word for "listen" that can also mean "French horn." The answer is "BUGLE," which is both a verb meaning to listen in or eavesdrop and a type of musical instrument, the French horn.
Sketch of human bit improved by beginner (9)
Ans: THUMBNAIL
The clue suggests a word meaning "sketch" that includes a part of the word "human," which is improved by a beginner. The answer is "THUMBNAIL," which is a small sketch or drawing, and it contains the letters "HUM," a part of "human," along with "bit" (NAIL) and "beginner" (B).
Rank tile fell around thatcher's head (5)
Ans: TITLE
The clue suggests that a word meaning "rank" or "position" is formed by rearranging ("fell around") the letters in "thatcher's head." The answer is "TITLE," which means a rank or position, and it can be formed by rearranging the letters in "thatcher's head."
High-flyer to nip ego trip (6)
Ans: PIGEON
The clue suggests a term for a "high-flyer" or someone who is successful, with "nip ego trip" implying that something is stopping or hindering this ego trip. The answer is "PIGEON," which fits both the idea of a high-flyer (a bird that flies high) and the notion of nipping an ego trip in the bud (reining in someone's excessive pride).
Casanova with capital love (5)
Ans: ROMEO
The clue suggests a term for a "Casanova" or a romantic person, along with "capital love," indicating that something related to love is at the start of the word. The answer is "ROMEO," which refers to the Shakespearean character known for his romantic pursuits, and it starts with "R," the capital letter for "love."
Choke at joke (3)
Ans: GAG
The clue implies a word meaning "choke" that can also mean "joke." The answer is "GAG," which can mean both to choke or suffocate and a joke, often used in the context of comedy or humor.
