Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2023-02-05 (24/24)
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The clues:
1a – Forgiveness for a second-rate answer (10)
ABSOLUTION
Forgiveness is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: A (A) + B (second-rate) + SOLUTION (answer)
7a – Al cries out for cakes (7)
ECLAIRS
Cakes is the definition, with out as an anagram indicator for Al cries
8a – It revolves either way (5)
ROTOR
It revolves is the definition, with either way as a palindrome indicator
10a – The language of Somerset? (4)
ERSE
The language is the definition, with of as a hidden word indicator for Som(erse)t
11a – Greater than zero? Sure! (8)
POSITIVE
Double definition, with positive meaning both greater than zero and sure
13a – Fidget terribly, being talented (6)
GIFTED
Talented is the definition, with terribly as an anagram indicator for fidget
15a – Managed to get some – but not all – money paid to kidnappers (6)
RANSOM
Money paid to kidnappers is the definition, with the rest as a charades clues: RAN (managed) + SOM (not all is an indicator to remove a letter from some)
17a – Drug found on Arctic trip (8)
NARCOTIC
Drug is the definition, with trip as an anagram indicator for on Arctic
18a – Group of soldiers from the United Nations coming to city centre (4)
UNIT
Group of soldiers is the definition with the rest as a charades clue: UN (abbreviation for United Nations) + IT (center is an indicator to take the middle letters of city)
21a – Begin to jump when surprised? (5)
START
Double definition, with start meaning begin and also jump when surprised
22a – It’s daft, it’s obvious that it’s crazy, initially (7)
IDIOTIC
It's daft is the definition, with initially as an indicator to take the first letters from the rest of the clue (It’s Daft It’s Obvious That It’s Crazy)
23a – Shot source providing footwear – suitable for use at Wimbledon? (5,5)
COURT SHOES
Footwear suitable for use at Wimbledon is the definition, with providing as an anagram indicator for shot source
1d – A sailor turned up for a book of maps (5)
ATLAS
Book of maps is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: A (A) + TLAS (turned up is a reversal indicator for salt, meaning sailor)
2d – Hide southern family (4)
SKIN
Hide is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: S (abbreviation for Southern) + KIN (family)
3d – More off for instruction? (6)
LESSON
Instruction is the definition with more off as a cryptic definition for less on
4d – End of new tramline? (8)
TERMINAL
End is the definition (possibly an &lit clue) with new as an anagram indicator for tramline
5d – Gets boats in trouble (7)
OBTAINS
Gets is the definition with trouble as an anagram indicator for boats in
6d – Cleaners frighten off toffs (10)
DETERGENTS
Cleaners is the definition with the rest as a charades clue: DETER (frighten off) + GENTS (toffs)
9d – Muscular pain – ham cures it, perhaps (10)
RHEUMATICS
Muscular pain is the definition, with perhaps as an anagram indicator for ham cures it
12d – Journalist about to have a drink (8)
REPORTER
Journalist is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: RE (about) + PORTER (drink)
14d – Hotchpotch makes fag roar (7)
FARRAGO
Hotchpotch is the definition (both words meaning a jumbled mixture) with makes as an anagram indicator for fag roar
16d – Iris turns on American star (6)
SIRIUS
Star is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: SIRI (turns is an anagram indicator for Iris) + US (abbreviation for United States, which is an American country)
19d – Paper money produced by musician (5)
NOTES
Double definition; notes can refer to bank notes (paper money) and musical notes (produced by musician)
20d – Queen of Carthage swindled by love (4)
DIDO
Queen of Carthage is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: DID (slang for swindled) + O (looks like a zero, a score called love in tennis)