Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles, 2019-12-24 (21/28)
Still trying to understand these clues:
1d – Action required by head to change name (4,4)— thanks harvel!
The clues:
1a Drug for a fool (4)
DOPE
Double definition, with dope meaning both drug and fool
3a Soldier, perhaps, that carries sailors? (3-2-3)
MAN-OF-WAR
Double definition, with man-of-war meaning both warship (which carries sailors), and man in a war (soldier)
9a Quickly put into words (7)
EXPRESS *
Double definition, with express meaning both quickly and put into words
10a Fed up with being drilled (5)
BORED
Double definition, with bored meaning both getting fed up with and drilled
11a This foreign bread is mine, thank you (5)
Foreign bread is the definition, with the rest being a charades clue: PIT (mine) + TA (thank you)
12a Cad making rude retort? (6)
Cad is the definition, with rude as an anagram indicator for retort
14a Setting for a cello composition (6)
LOCALE
Setting is the definition, with composition being an anagram indicator for a cello
16a Ale and wine put before the queen (6)
PORTER *
Ale is the definition (porter is a type of beer), with the rest being a charades clue: PORT (a type of wine) + ER (a bits and pieces clue meaning queen, Elizabeth Regina)
19a Material from West Coast State taken by one company (6)
CALICO
Material is the definition (calico is a type of fabric), with the rest being bits and pieces: CAL (short for California, a West Coast state) + I (looks like a one) + CO (company)
21a Plant some privet, perhaps, or some wretched geraniums (5)
HEDGE
Plant some privet is the definition, with some as a hidden word indicator for wretc(hed ge)raniums
24a Some real gold star (5)
ALGOL
Star is the definition (Algol is a star in Perseus), with some as a hidden word indicator for re(al gol)d
25a One sort of shirt or vest (7)
Vest is the definition, with the rest being a charades clue: SINGLE (one)+ T(a t-shirt is a sort of shirt)
26a Heaven is in March (8)
PARADISE
Heaven is the definition, with in being a container indicator for is inside a word for a march: PARAD(IS)E
27a Exploited American editor (4)
USED
Exploited is the definition, with the rest being bits and pieces: US (American) + ED (editor)
1d Action by head required to change a name (4,4)
DEED POLL *
Deed poll is the definition (it is a legal document that may be used to change a person’s name), with the rest being a charades clue: DEED (action) + POLL (something counted by head)
2d Spot Italian bird (5)
Bird is the definition (a pipit is a type of bird) with the rest being a charades clue: PIP (pips are the dots on dice) + IT (a bits and pieces clue for Italian)
4d Take in sailor’s sphere (6)
ABSORB
Take in is the definition, with the rest being a charades clue: ABS (a bits and pieces clue, sailor can be AB, for able-bodied seaman) + ORB (sphere)
5d The way of the world? (5)
Cryptic definition – the way the world goes is its orbit
6d Most circumspect, using ears and wit (7)
WARIEST
Most circumspect is the definition, with using as an anagram indicator for ears wit
7d Theme park attraction – for some a horrid experience! (4)
RIDE
Theme park attraction is the definition, with some as a hidden words indicator for hor(rid e)xperience
8d Happen to exist before autumn (6)
BEFALL
Happen to exist is the definition, with the rest being a charades clue: BE (exist) before FALL (autumn)
13d Wild deer and rats may be stopped (8)
ARRESTED
Stopped is the definition, with wild as an anagram indicator for deer rats
15d One who makes you pay for a horse (7)
CHARGER
Double definition, with charger meaning both one who makes you pay, and horse
17d Where palm is available (2,4)
ON HAND
Double definition, with on hand meaning both available and where palm is
18d Sounds made by hooters about one (6)
NOISES
Sounds is the definition, with about as a container indicator for one (I, which looks similar to one) inside a word for hooters (noses): NO(I)SES
20d I had been at the front – and took it easy! (5)
IDLED
Took it easy is the definition, with the rest being a charades clue: ID (I had, I'd) + LED (been at the front)
22d Playthings for Guy’s companions (5)
DOLLS
Double definition, with dolls meaning both playthings and Guy's companions (in Guys and Dolls)
23d Keep on and on at an instrument? (4)
HARP
Double definition, with harp meaning both keep on and on at and instrument