Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2020-02-07 (26/26)
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The clues:
1a – Underwater vessel expected to overcome? (6)
SUBDUE
Overcome is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: SUB (underwater vessel) + DUE (expected)
4a – I’m taking a long time producing pictures (6)
IMAGES
Pictures is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: IM (I'm) + AGES (a long time)
8a – Plan to get a hundred deer (5)
CHART
Plan is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: C (Roman numeral for a hundred) + HART (deer)
9a – One of the Marx Brothers takes on a barbed dart (7)
HARPOON
Barbed dart is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: HARPO (one of the Marx Brothers) + ON (on)
10a – No saint takes strong drink as a remedy (7)
NOSTRUM
Remedy is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: NO (no) + ST (bits and pieces clue for saint) + RUM (strong drink)
11a – Publication for children? (5)
ISSUE
Double definition, with issue being a type of publication and a word for children
12a – Biscuit gives diet problem (9)
DIGESTIVE
Biscuit is the definition, with problem as an anagram indicator for gives diet
17a – Is led astray and doesn’t work (5)
IDLES
Doesn't work is the definition, with astray as an anagram indicator for is led
19a – See it as an anagram – most undemanding (7)
EASIEST
Most undemanding is the definition, with anagram as an anagram indicator for see it as
21a – Admirer may be wed (7)
MARRIED
Wed is the definition, with may be as an anagram indicator for admirer
22a – Animal getting more ‘eated? (5)
OTTER
Animal is the definition, with the rest as a cryptic definition: ‘eated is short for heated in the way that ‘otter is short for hotter.
23a – Transport needed by Santa – his leg is broken (6)
SLEIGH
Transport needed by Santa is the definition, with broken as an anagram indicator for his leg
24a – Ghosts in sunglasses (6)
SHADES
Double definition, with shades meaning sunglasses and also being types of ghosts
1d – This time is not the first (6)
SECOND
Cryptic definition
2d – Fresh bread is cooked (7)
BRAISED
Cooked is the definition, with fresh as an anagram indicator for bread is
3d – Absolute, say (5)
UTTER
Double definition, with utter meaning absolute and also say
5d – Name of chap taking one drink (7)
MARTINI
Drink is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: MARTIN + I (looks like a one)
6d – Obscene number (5)
GROSS
Double definition, with gross meaning obscene and also being a number (144 of something is a gross)
7d – Vocalist forced to resign (6)
SINGER
Vocalist is the definition, with forced as an anagram indicator for resign
9d – MP has date arranged in part of London (9)
HAMPSTEAD
Part of London is the definition, with arranged as an anagram indicator for MP has date
13d – Leave to throw a young bird (7)
GOSLING
Young bird is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: GO (leave) + SLING (throw)
14d – Given a seat after standing (7)
ELECTED
Cryptic definition; one is given a seat in office after standing for election
15d – The acid test? (6)
LITMUS
Cryptic definition; a litmus test distinguishes acid from base
16d – Baby birds? (6)
STORKS
Cryptic definition; storks are birds that bring babies
18d – Big order for lager (5)
LARGE
Big is the definition, with order as an anagram indicator for lager
20d – The laziness of an animal (5)
SLOTH
Double definition, with sloth being an animal and also meaning laziness