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