Evening Standard Cryptic Crossword Clues & Answers Today August 13, 2024

Find below the answers to the Evening Standard Cryptic Across Clues today August 13 2024.

1. On which bums can be said to mean success in the theater

Answer: SEATS

Explanation:

"Bums" in British slang can refer to "buttocks," and "seats" are where people sit, especially in a theater. In the context of a theater, "bums on seats" refers to attracting a large audience, which equates to success.

2. Wouldn't accept being employed by the person referred to

Answer: REFUSED

Explanation:

To "refuse" means to not accept something. In this context, it suggests that someone didn't accept employment, hence "refused."

3. Looked for gold, perhaps, around mid September

Answer: OGLED

Explanation:

"Ogled" means to look at something with interest. "Looked for gold" is a cryptic clue, and "mid September" (the letter "S") is hidden within the word "ogled" (oGLED).

4. Possible pointer as to how to work on a plot

Answer: DIGIT

Explanation:

A "digit" can be a finger (a pointer). "Plot" can refer to land, which you might "dig" (dig-it) to work on.

5. Worker making a hit with the sergeant major

Answer: SMITH

Explanation:

"Smith" is a worker, like a blacksmith, who makes things by hitting metal. "Sergeant major" could refer to "SM," which fits with "Smith."

6. Whence the cowboys rushed to church?

Answer: RANCH

Explanation:

Cowboys live on a ranch, which sounds like "ran-ch" (ran to church). It's a play on words.

7. The spirit moves them to take safety first

Answer: METHS

Explanation:

"Meths" refers to methylated spirits (alcohol). The clue hints at "spirits" (alcohol) and "safety first" suggests the first letter "S."

8. There's a market for it in a London street

Answer: HAY

Explanation:

Haymarket is a famous street in London, and "hay" refers to the product sold in a market.

9. Can make toast with no hands!

Answer: STOAT

Explanation:

A stoat is an animal that rhymes with "toast." The wordplay suggests something that can "make toast" by just being itself

10. Tough as anything in heartless duty

Answer: DOUGHTY

Explanation:

"Doughty" means brave and tough. "Heartless duty" means removing the middle letter "u" from "duty," leaving "d" and "ty," which phonetically resembles "doughty."

11. Where to keep the manual

Answer: HANDY

Explanation:

A manual can be kept at hand, or "handy," meaning easily accessible.

12. Spare change, one gathers

Answer: REAPS

Explanation:

"Reaps" means to gather or harvest. "Spare" hints at something extra, like the profits one reaps.

13. In the highest position at work

Answer: ATOP

Explanation:

"Atop" means at the top, which is the highest position.

14. Silly capers can get you in a jam

Answer: SCRAPE

Explanation:

"Scrape" means a difficult situation (a jam), and "silly capers" suggest trouble-making.

15. The attractions of church members

Answer: CHARMS

Explanation:

Charms" refers to something attractive. The wordplay could also involve "ch" (church) + "arms" (members).

16. Prima donna who may turn greedy

Answer: DIVA

Explanation:

A "diva" is a prima donna, often considered demanding or greedy.

17. There's big heart in her backhand

Answer: DINAH

Explanation:

"Dinah" is a woman's name. "Heart" refers to the middle letter, and "in her backhand" suggests looking within the word or name.

18. Flower associated with the violet

Answer: GENTIAN

Explanation:

A gentian is a type of flower often associated with the color violet.

19. Makes sense to the mathematician

Answer: ADDS UP

Explanation:

"Adds up" means something that makes sense, especially in math.

20. To the Yankee, it's not the real thing

Answer: TOY

Explanation:

A "toy" is not the real thing, it's a replica or something not genuine.

21. All these are intensely interested!

Answer: EYES

Explanation:

"Eyes" are always intensely focused or interesting.

22. Excellent bet for the boss position

Answer: TIPTOP

Explanation:

"Tiptop" means excellent or the best, which fits a top or boss position.

23. Fear terrible pain, chicken hearted

Answer: PANIC

Explanation:

"Panic" is intense fear, and "chicken-hearted" suggests being fearful.

24. Such prices are apt to rise sharply

Answer: STEEP

Explanation:

"Steep" means expensive, and prices that are steep rise sharply.

25. Possessing the wisdom of the ages?

Answer: SAGE

Explanation:

A "sage" is someone wise, often associated with having wisdom from the ages.