Easy Cryptic Crossword from Simple Daily Puzzles 2021-12-13 (26/26)
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The clues:
1a – Fish I put in position (6)
PLAICE
Fish is the definition, with put in as an indicator to put I (I) into PLACE (position): PLA(I)CE
4a – They hold a hundred lights (6)
CLAMPS
They hold is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: C (roman numeral for a hundred) + LAMPS (lights)
8a – Vessel seen in Victoria or Tasmania (5)
AORTA
Vessel is the definition, with seen in as a hidden word indicator for Victori(a or Ta)smania
9a – This flower may be a big one (7)
BEGONIA
Flower is the definition, with may be as an anagram indicator for a big one
10a – Stretchy material that may come from Castile (7)
ELASTIC
Stretchy material is the definition, with may come from as an anagram indicator for Castile
11a – Turner is delayed outside hospital (5)
LATHE
Turner is the definition (a lathe turns), with outside as an indicator to put H (abbreviation for hospital) into LATE (delayed): LAT(H)E
12a – Towers may be recreated in book (3,6)
TOM SAWYER
Book is the definition, with recreated as an anagram indicator for towers may
17a – Fuss with the navy on deck (5)
ADORN
Deck is the definition (as in ‘deck the halls’), with the rest as a charades clue: ADO (fuss) + RN (abbreviation for Royal Navy)
19a – A decent revolutionary made law (7)
ENACTED
Made law is the definition, with revolutionary as an anagram indicator for a decent
21a – Providing accommodation abroad – at full speed (4,3)
FLAT OUT
At full speed is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: FLAT (accommodation) + OUT (abroad)
22a – Country, say (5)
STATE
Double definition, with state meaning country and also meaning say
23a – Don’t go along with errant sister (6)
RESIST
Don't go along with is the definition, with errant as an anagram indicator for sister
24a – Rook in Englishman’s home? (6)
CASTLE
Double definition, with castle meaning rook (in chess), and also Englishman's home (as in, his home is his castle)
1d – Second thoughts about former dishes (6)
PLATES
Dishes is the definition, with about as an indicator to put LATE (former) into PS (second thoughts at the end of a letter)
2d – Bet and Sara may be side by side (7)
ABREAST
Side by side is the definition, with may be as an anagram indicator for Bet Sara
3d – Get along without power at the seaside (5)
COAST
Double definition, with coast meaning seaside and also get along without power (like in a vehicle)
5d – Support colleague in accordance with the law (7)
LEGALLY
In accordance with the law is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: LEG (support) + ALLY (colleague)
6d – Artist turning up two hours before noon (5)
MANET
Artist is the definition, with turning up as a reversal indicator for TEN AM (two hours before noon)
7d – Rose adores crackers (6)
SOARED
Rose is the definition, with crackers as an anagram indicator for adores
9d – Caught animal entering bankrupt capital (9)
BUCHAREST
Capital is the definition, with entering as an indicator to put C (cricket abbreviation for caught) + HARE (animal) into BUST (bankrupt): BU(C)(HARE)ST
13d – A fellow leaves fruit (7)
MANGOES
Fruit is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: MAN (fellow) + GOES (leaves)
14d – Take back religious education pamphlet (7)
RETRACT
Take back is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: RE (abbreviation for religious education) + TRACT (pamphlet)
15d – Boss putting blunder right (6)
GAFFER
Boss is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: GAFFE (blunder) + R (abbreviation for right)
16d – Stick notice on present (6)
ADHERE
Stick is the definition, with the rest as a charades clue: AD (notice) + HERE (present)
18d – Friend covered with very large gems (5)
OPALS
Gems is the definition, with covered with as an indicator to put PAL (friend) into OS (abbreviation for oversize, very large): O(PAL)S
20d – Astray on the ocean (2,3)
AT SEA
Double definition, with at sea meaning on the ocean and also astray