The Irish Independent Cryptic Crossword Clues and Solutions for 26th March 2024
by Abisha
Updated Mar 26, 2024
Do you have the habit of solving crosswords daily? Then, you can try today’s The Irish Independent Cryptic crossword. This crossword can be challenging because of its hard clues. You need to have practice and better understanding of the clues to crack them.
If you need help with any clues or want to verify your answers, you can find the answers here.
Usual position at the back of public ground (11)
Solution: COMMONPLACE
"Public ground" suggests a park or open area. "Usual position at the back" could refer to a space that's frequently found there. COMMONPLACE fits well because it means "ordinary" or "widespread," which could describe something typically found in public parks (like benches towards the back).
Accommodating place that is barred (3)
Solution: INN
"Accommodating place" implies a place to stay, like a hotel. "Barred" might be a double entendre. Literally, it could mean a place with a bar (which inns often have). Figuratively, it could suggest a place that's been closed or restricted (which might be the case due to the current situation).
Wallets in which musical scores are kept? (9)
Solution: NOTECASES
This clue is a bit of a trick. A wallet is typically used for money or cards. However, NOTECASES (specifically designed to hold musical scores) fits the bill for what musicians might use to carry their sheet music.
Defence submissions give satisfaction, we hear (5)
Solution: PLEAS
In court, "defence submissions" are arguments presented by the defendant's side. "Give satisfaction" means to please someone. While phrased indirectly, PLEAS (arguments intended to convince the court) connects to the idea of providing satisfaction in a legal context.
To be concerned about container for firearm (7)
Solution: CARBINE
"Concerned about" suggests worry or anxiety. "Container for firearm" describes a gun case or holster. CARBINE (a lightweight rifle) makes sense because someone might be concerned about the proper storage or handling of a firearm.
Suppress a kind of racket (6)
Solution: SQUASH
"Suppress" means to stop or silence. "Racket" can refer to a noisy disturbance. SQUASH (6 letters) works well because it's both a sport involving hitting a ball with a racket and a slang term for stopping or silencing someone.
The others take father in for a meal (6)
Solution: REPAST
"The others" suggests a group of people. "Take father in" implies treating him to a meal. REPAST refers to a meal, particularly a formal or festive one, which aligns with taking someone out to eat.
When the char arrives (7)
Solution: TEATIME
"Char" can be a misspelling of "chair," but it can also be a slang term for "cup of tea" (particularly in Britain). "Arrives" suggests a specific time. TEATIME (a time for drinking tea, often in the afternoon) fits the bill.
Near a strange site for engagements (5)
Solution: ARENA
Align oneself with Eastern tea blend (9)
Solution: ORIENTATE
The sun shines on lovers, initially (3)
Solution: SOL
This is a double entendre. "The sun shines on lovers" is a romantic image. "Sol" is the Latin word for sun. So, SOL (3 letters) works both literally (the sun) and figuratively (as a symbol of love and happiness).
On a watery bed where there's a nude in distress! (5,3,3)
Solution: UNDERTHESEA
Make an admission as proprietors do (3)
Solution: OWN
"Proprietors" are business owners. When they "make an admission," they might acknowledge something about their product or service. OWN (3 letters) works because it suggests acknowledging ownership or responsibility.
Simon becomes a labyrinthine character (5)
Solution: MINOS
This clue is a mythological reference. "Labyrinthine" means complex and maze-like. In Greek myth, King Minos of Crete built the labyrinth that housed the Minotaur. So, MINOS (5 letters) is the answer because he's associated with a labyrinth.
Printed warning to intending skaters! (6)
Solution: NOTICE
"Printed warning" suggests a sign or posted information. "Intending skaters" implies people who plan to skate. NOTICE (6 letters) fits the bill because it's a written statement meant to inform or warn people, likely about safety precautions for skaters.
What cattle eat in Switzerland (7)
Solution: LUCERNE
This is a geographical clue. Lucerne is a type of alfalfa, a legume grown for animal feed. LUCERNE (7 letters) is a specific type of plant commonly eaten by cattle in Switzerland.
Find fault with those in the play over one entrance (9)
Solution: CASTIGATE
The layout of Diana's place (11)
Solution: DISPOSITION
"Layout" suggests the arrangement of something. "Diana's place" might refer to her home or another space she occupies. DISPOSITION (11 letters) describes the way things are arranged or positioned, making it a good fit for the layout of Diana's place.
Sees all tiny changes in a fundamental way (11)
Solution: ESSENTIALLY
"Sees all tiny changes" suggests noticing even the smallest details. "In a fundamental way" implies understanding the core nature of something. ESSENTIALLY (11 letters) means at the basic level and captures the idea of noticing how tiny changes affect the fundamental nature of something.
Cautioned when instruction goes wrong (9)
Solution: EDUCATION
In which one experiments with scenic arrangement before the end of the movie (7)
Solution: SCIENCE
Take back what was said about hypocrisy (6)
Solution: RECANT
"Take back what was said" means to retract a statement. "Hypocrisy" is the act of pretending to have certain beliefs while acting differently. RECANT (6 letters) perfectly fits because it describes withdrawing a previously made statement, which could be done if someone was accused of hypocrisy.
We are teetering around a sharp mountain ridge (5)
Solution: ARETE
"Teetering" suggests being precariously balanced. "Sharp mountain ridge" describes a specific geographical feature. ARETE (5 letters) refers to a narrow, jagged ridge between peaks, which perfectly captures the image of teetering on a dangerous mountain edge.
Hut is a little too big for the woman (3)
Solution: SHE
This clue is a bit of a size comparison. A hut is a small dwelling. SHE (3 letters) refers to a woman, and the clue suggests that the hut might be slightly too large for her to comfortably occupy.
