Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2022-01-17 (26/26)
Still trying to understand these clues:
- 5d – Joy ride? (9)
The clues:
1a – Writer says ties get knotted (8)
ESSAYIST
Writer is the definition, with knotted as an anagram indicator for says ties
6a – Final goal? (3)
END
Double definition, with end meaning goal and also final
9a – Some regretful bird (5)
EGRET
Bird is the definition, with some as a hidden word indicator for r(egret)ful
10a – Being afraid, shaking a finger (7)
FEARING
Being afraid is the definition, with shaking as an anagram indicator for a finger
11a – Midday, and horse is in shape (7)
NONAGON
Shape is the definition, with in as an indicator to put NAG (horse) into NOON (midday): NO(NAG)ON
13a – Mark isn’t a convert (5)
STAIN
Mark is the definition, with convert as an anagram indicator for isn't a
14a – An agreeable chap (3-3)
YES-MAN
Cryptic definition; a yes-man might be an agreeable chap
15a – Someone who carries drink? (6)
PORTER
Double definition, with porter being a drink and also someone who carries
18a – A composer overdid the central section (5)
VERDI
A composer is the definition, with the central section as a hidden word indicator for o(verdi)d
20a – Pariah is not in shed (7)
OUTCAST
Pariah is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: OUT (not in) + CAST (shed)
21a – Literary work, after only half a month, upset everyone (7)
NOVELLA
Literary work is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: NOVE (half of (Nove)mber, a month) + LLA (upset is a reversal indicator for ALL, meaning everyone)
22a – Scottish child – one in farm building (5)
BAIRN
Scottish child is the definition, with in as an indicator to put I (looks like a one) into BARN (farm building): BA(I)RN
23a – Melody in the atmosphere (3)
AIR
Double definition, with air meaning atmosphere and also melody
24a – One gate’s damaged – but that was a long time ago (5,3)
STONE AGE
A long time ago is the definition, with damaged as an anagram indicator for one gate's
2d – Contracts for psychiatrists? (7)
SHRINKS
Double definition, with shrinks meaning contracts (like the verb) and also being slang for psychiatrists
3d – A New Testament insect (3)
ANT
Insect is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: A (a) + NT (abbreviation for New Testament)
4d – Small child taking railway from foot-soldiers (6)
INFANT
Small child is the definition, with taking away as an indicator to subtract RY (abbreviation for railway) from INFANTRY (foot-soldiers)
5d – Joy ride? (9)
TRANSPORT
6d – I care about Heather (5)
ERICA
Heather is the definition (both are names for the same plant), with about as an anagram indicator for I care
7d – Getting worse and needing great reform (12)
DEGENERATING
Getting worse is the definition, with reform as an anagram indicator for needing great
8d – Pa expanded (12)
PENNSYLVANIA
Cryptic definition; PA is the abbreviation for Pennsylvania
12d – A flower pleased Louis, perhaps (9)
GLADIOLUS
A flower is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: GLAD (pleased) + IOLUS (perhaps is an anagram indicator for Louis)
16d – Ripping bits of granite (7)
TEARING
Ripping is the definition, with bits of as an anagram indicator for granite
17d – Fruit excessively dull inside (6)
TOMATO
Fruit is the definition, with inside as an indicator to put MAT (dull) into TOO (excessively): TO(MAT)O
19d – Wanderer finally finished being a wanderer (5)
ROVER
Wanderer (at the end) is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: R (wanderer finally, last letter of wanderer) + OVER (finished)
22d – Busy buzzer (3)
BEE
Cryptic definition; bees buzz and are busy