Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2020-01-31 (24/26)
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The clues:
1a – A drink in the shade (6)
SPIRIT *
Double definition, with spirits being a kind of drink, and a shade being a kind of spirit
4a – Raft I’d set loose might be this (6)
ADRIFT
The whole clue is a definition, with set loose as an anagram indicator for raft I'd
8a – Dud Moore, the famous lover? (5)
ROMEO
Famous lover is the definition, with dud as an anagram indicator for moore
9a – Again let loose (7)
RELEASE
Let loose is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: RE (again) + LEASE (let)
10a – Card game making some American a star (7)
CANASTA
Card game is the definition, with some as a hidden word indicator for Ameri(can a sta)r
11a – 1 across encountered in front of empty houses (5)
METHS
1 across is the definition (meths is a name for methylated / denatured alcohol / spirits), with the rest as a charades clue: MET (encountered) + HS (empty houses, or the word houses with all of the inner letters removed)
12a – Put a wreath on a river in the country (9)
ENGARLAND
Put a wreath on is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: put A (a) + R (bits and pieces clue for river) into a country (ENGLAND): ENG(AR)LAND
17a – Capital person settled in manor (5)
ROMAN
Capital person is the definition, with settled in as an anagram indicator for manor
19a – Write about air on a planet (7)
NEPTUNE
Neptune is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: NEP (about is a reversal indicator for pen, meaning write) + TUNE (air, like a musical composition)
21a – Turning 13 down? That’s swell (7)
ENLARGE
Swell is the definition, with turning as an anagram indicator for GENERAL (the answer to 13 down)
22a – True Conservatives? (5)
RIGHT
Double definition, with right meaning both conservative (like right wing) and true
23a – Nigel’s getting about, being unmarried (6)
SINGLE
Unmarried is the definition, with getting about as an anagram indicator for Nigel's
24a – Offer for nurse? (6)
TENDER
Double definition, with tender meaning offer (as in, to tender a resignation) and also nurse (who tends to people)
1d – Neat tree (6)
SPRUCE
Double definition, with spruce being a kind of tree, also meaning neat (as in spruce up).
2d – Huge people in rebuilt semi (7) [spoiler title="show answer"]IMMENSE
Huge is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: a word for a type of people (MEN) goes into an anagram for semi: IM(MEN)SE
3d – Religious images one studies (5)
ICONS
Religious images is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: I (looks like a number one) + CONS (studies)
5d – Between two girls, left in a quandary (7)
DILEMMA
Quandary is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: L (a bits and pieces clue for left) is between girl’s names DI and EMMA: DI(L)EMMA
6d – Unsuitable order for paint (5)
INAPT
Unsuitable is the definition, with order as an anagram indicator for paint
7d – Religious belief set him off (6)
THEISM
Religious belief is the definition, with off as an anagram indicator for set him
9d – Change in order to get back to the stove (9)
REARRANGE
Change in order is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: REAR + RANGE
13d – This officer is not particular (7)
GENERAL
Double definition, with general being an officer‘s rank, and also meaning that you’re not referring to a particular one
14d – Given narcotics, dealers start getting tough (7)
DRUGGED
Given narcotics is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: D (dealers start, or the first letter of dealers) + RUGGED (tough)
15d – Underwear made from artificial fibres? (6)
BRIEFS
Underwear is the definition, with artificial as an anagram indicator for fibres
16d – Superior gambler (6)
BETTER
Double definition, with better meaning superior and also a person who gambles (bets)
18d – Fruit swallowed by some Londoners (5)
MELON
Fruit is the definition, with swallowed as a hidden word indicator for so(me Lon)doners
20d – Super sort of money bag (5)
PURSE
Money bag is the definition, with sort as an anagram indicator for super