Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2023-12-03 (23/23)
Still trying to understand these clues:
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The clues:
1a – Given tool inside that’s specially selected (4-6)
HAND-PICKED
Specially selected is the definition, with inside as an indicator to put PICK (tool) into HANDED (given): HAND(PICK)ED
7a – Joint that may be violated (8)
DOVETAIL
Joint is the definition, with may be as an anagram indicator for violated
8a – Go round and call (4)
RING
Double definition, with ring meaning both go round and call
9a – Single fish (4)
SOLE
Double definition with sole meaning single and also being a fish
10a – Speak about odd love for a sausage (7)
SAVELOY
Sausage is the definition, with about as an indicator to put VELO (odd is an anagram indicator for love) into SAY (speak): SA(VELO)Y
12a – Cried so loud, being upset, or changed hue (11)
DISCOLOURED
Changed hue is the definition, with being upset as an anagram indicator for cried so loud
14a – Make a big fuss – and continue to do so (5,2)
CARRY ON
Double definition, with carry on meaning make a big fuss and continue
16a – Utter contempt in this style (4)
HISS
Utter contempt is the definition, with in as a hidden word indicator for t(his s)tyle
19a – Staunch supporter? (4)
STEM
Double definition, with stem meaning staunch (a flow), and also being a supporter (like the stem of a flower?)
20a – Dead ends making you depressed? (8)
SADDENED
Depressed is the definition, with making as an anagram indicator for dead ends
21a – Favourite heavyweight of a town in the north of England (10)
DARLINGTON
Double definition, with Darlington being a heavyweight boxer and also a town in the north of England
1d – Scottish exclamation or owl noises (5)
HOOTS
Double definition, with “hoots” being a Scottish exclamation and hoots also being owl noises
2d – Sewing implements not quite unnecessary (7)
NEEDLES
Sewing implements is the definition, with not quite as an indicator to remove the last letter from NEEDLESS (unnecessary)
3d – Fruit and vegetable, right? (4)
PEAR
Fruit is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: PEA (vegetable) + R (abbreviation for right)
4d – Apple brandy and soda served up after Calvin dropped in (8)
CALVADOS
Apple brandy is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: CALV (dropped is an indicator to remove in from Calvin) + ADOS (up is a reversal indicator for soda)
5d – Weird eastern lake (5)
EERIE
Weird is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: E (abbreviation for eastern) + ERIE (lake)
6d – Reveal new fun – not new (6)
UNFOLD
Reveal is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: UNF (new is an anagram indicator for fun) + OLD (not new)
11d – Huge deficit in fuel production (8)
COLOSSAL
Huge is the definition, with in as an indicator to put LOSS (deficit) into COAL (fuel)
12d – A shortage of twisted thread (6)
DEARTH
Shortage is the definition, with twisted as an anagram indicator for thread
13d – Object when put into torn clothing (7)
RAIMENT
Clothing is the definition, with into as an indicator to put AIM (object) into RENT (torn): R(AIM)ENT
15d – A dance that comes from Burma? (5)
RUMBA
Dance is the definition, with comes from as an anagram indicator for Burma
17d – Unrelenting back (5)
STERN
Double definition, with stern meaning unrelenting and also being the back of a ship
18d – Garden taken from the dentist (4)
EDEN
Garden is the definition, with taken from as a hidden word indicator for th(e den)tist