Metro Cryptic Crossword on 13 August 2024 - Its Time to Fill the Empty Boxes!

Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues and Answers 13 August 2024 (ACROSS)

Here we revealed the answers for today's Metro Cryptic Crossword on 13 August 2024 with meaning and proper explanations.

7 Find niece's hat very fetching after being married for some time (5-4,4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Find niece's hat": This is a hint for an anagram. The letters of "niece's hat" can be rearranged.
• "very fetching": This part suggests the solution will be a phrase meaning "very fetching" or attractive.
• "after being married for some time": This suggests the solution relates to someone who has been married for a long period.

Answer: SEVEN YEAR ITCH

Answer Explanation:

1. Anagram: Rearranging the letters of "niece's hat" gives us "the nice set."
2. Phrase: When combined with the rest of the clue, this anagram forms the phrase "the seven-year itch," which is a common term used to describe the idea that after about seven years of marriage, some people might start to find others more attractive.

So, the solution is "seven-year itch" (5-4, 4). This term captures the idea of being tempted or finding someone attractive after being married for a while.

8 Trained the river to flow back with a coin in (8)

Clue Meaning:

The crossword clue "trained the river to flow back with a coin in (8)" can be broken down as follows:

• "Trained": This suggests the definition of the answer, which is EDUCATED (meaning trained or taught).
• "the river": Refers to the "DEE" (a river in Scotland and Wales).
• "to flow back": Indicates the river name DEE should be reversed, so "EED."
• "with a coin in": "Coin" here refers to a "CENT" (a type of coin).

Answer: EDUCATED

Answer Explanation:

• "EED" (reversed DEE) + "CENT" gives "EDUCENT."
• Rearranging it slightly to form a proper word, we get "EDUCATED."

So, EDUCATED is the correct answer, meaning "trained," and it's constructed by reversing the river DEE and adding CENT (a coin) into it.

9 Lone Ranger's Christmas (4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Lone Ranger's": This refers to the famous character, the Lone Ranger, whose catchphrase was "Hi-Yo, Silver!" and who was known for being solitary or "alone" (another word for "lone").
• "Christmas": This directly hints at the holiday associated with Christmas

Answer: NOEL

Answer Explanation

• The trick here is wordplay: NOEL can be broken down as "NO" + "EL."
  • "NO" stands for "Lone" (as in the Lone Ranger).
  • "EL" is a playful interpretation of "Ranger's" or someone noble.

So, NOEL is both a word for Christmas and a clever nod to the "lone" aspect of the Lone Ranger.

10 Reds in uprising washed lightly (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "Reds in uprising": "Reds" often refers to revolutionaries or people involved in an uprising or rebellion.
• "washed lightly": It can be interpreted as an action of rejection or rebellion, which could be seen metaphorically as "washing lightly" or rebelling against something.

Answer: REVOLT

Answer Explanation:

REVOLT fits both the idea of an uprising (revolutionary action by the "reds") and the metaphorical concept of rejecting or lightly opposing something (as in "washed lightly").

12 A French city street is most pleasant (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "A French city": This part of the clue refers to the French city.
• "street": The abbreviation for "street" is ST.
• "is most pleasant": This is the definition of the answer, meaning most pleasant.

Answer: NICEST

Answer Explanation:

• "A French city" gives us NICE.
• "street" gives us ST.
• When you combine NICE and ST, you get NICEST.

So, the answer NICEST means "most pleasant," and it’s formed by combining the name of the French city "NICE" with "ST" for street.

14 Time and a change of schedule (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "Time": This refers to something related to a schedule or plan.
• "and a change of": This indicates that the word might involve a change or shift, like how an agenda can change or be modified.
• "schedule": This directly refers a list of items or a schedule for a meeting or event.

Answer: AGENDA

Answer Explanation:

AGENDA is the answer, as it fits the idea of both "time" (in terms of planning or scheduling) and "a change of schedule." An agenda is a list of topics or things that need to be discussed or done at a meeting or event. It's like a plan that helps everyone know what will happen and when.

16 Rascal upset the sailor (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "Rascal upset": The word "upset" here suggests an anagram. "Rascal" is the word we need to rearrange.
• "the sailor": This part of the clue indicates that the anagram of "rascal" refers to a type of sailor.

Answer: LASCAR

Answer Explantion:

LASCAR fits the clue as it is an anagram of "rascal" and also refers to a type of sailor. "LASCAR" is a term used to describe a sailor from the Indian subcontinent who worked on European ships during the colonial period.

18 Give it to a boy to prepare for publication (4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Give it to a boy": This part is a bit of wordplay. The term "it" could be given to someone for processing, and "boy" here is a clue to the action.
• "to prepare for publication": This defines the action of preparing something for publication.

Answer: EDIT

Answer Explanation:

• "EDIT" means to make changes or corrections to a text before it is published.

So, the clue is saying that if you have a piece of writing and you need to prepare it for publication, you need to EDIT it. The wordplay involves "give it to a boy," which leads to the idea of preparing or editing something.

20 Temporarily gave the girl a daffodil (4,4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Temporarily gave": The word "lent" means to give something temporarily.
• "the girl": This indicates that we need a common name for a girl.
• "a daffodil": A daffodil is a type of flower

Answer: LENT LILY

Answer Explanation:

• "LENT" (to give temporarily).
• "LILY" (a flower, which is also a girl's name).

LENT LILY fits the clue because "lent" means to give something temporarily, and "Lily" is both a common girl's name and a type of flower. The phrase creatively combines the idea of giving temporarily ("lent") and the name of the flower ("Lily").

22 Taking a taxi to the pub? (6, 2, 5)

Clue Meaning:

1. "Taking a taxi": The word "driven" suggests being transported, which is what happens when you take a taxi.
2. "to the pub?": This phrase hints at an outcome related to drinking. The expression "to drink" is used here in a figurative sense.

Answer: DRIVEN TO DRINK

Answer Explanation:

DRIVEN TO DRINK is a common phrase that means being pushed or led to drink alcohol, often due to stress or trouble. It can also be interpreted literally, as someone might end up at the pub to drink after being driven (or transported) by a taxi. It means someone has been pushed into drinking alcohol, often due to difficulties or stress. It also fits the idea of being transported (like by a taxi) and ending up at a pub (where you might drink).

Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues and Answers13 August 2024 (DOWN)

Here we revealed the answers for today's Metro Cryptic Crossword on 13 August 2024 with meaning and proper explanations.

1 Require Heather to be annoying (8)

Clue Meaning:

• "Require": This part of the clue suggests a word related to needing something.
• "Heather to be annoying": Here, "Heather" is a name that isn't directly used but plays a role in the wordplay.It means being persistently annoying or irritating, which fits with the idea of something being bothersome.

Answer: NEEDLING

Answer Explanation:

NEEDLING means being irritating or annoying by making constant, petty remarks. It's derived from "needle," which symbolizes persistent annoyance. The answer means being bothersome or annoying. The clue uses "require" to hint at "need," and "to be annoying" describes the term NEEDLING, which fits both the meaning and the length of the word.

2 Responds concerning parts of a play (6)

Clue Meaning:

1. "Responds": This is the definition part of the clue, meaning to reply or react to something.
2. "concerning parts of a play": This suggests that the answer is related to a term that involves parts or elements of a play.

Answer: REACTS

Answer Explanation:

"REACTS" fits because it involves responding or reacting, which can be a part of a play (as actors react to lines and situations). REACTS means to respond to something. The clue is saying that the term for responding (or reacting) also fits with the idea of what happens in parts of a play, where characters react to different situations.

3 Plaything returned to eastern isle (4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Plaything returned": This suggests that the word for "plaything" should be reversed. A common plaything is a "toy."
• "to eastern isle": The word "eyot" refers to a small island or a sandbank in a river, often called an "islet."
• Reversing "toy" gives "yot," but with the additional clue about an eastern isle, "eyot" is a valid term for a small island.

Answer: EYOT

Answer Explanation:

• EYOT is a word that means a small island or sandbank. The clue involves reversing "toy" (a plaything) and fitting it with the idea of an island. "Eyot" is a type of small island, making it the correct answer.

4 Lad in car upset the priest (8)

Clue Meaning:

1. "Lad in car upset": This part of the clue is suggesting an anagram. The word "upset" indicates that we need to rearrange the letters of "lad in car."
2. "the priest": This is the definition part of the clue. Priest is a high-ranking priest in the Catholic Church.

Answer: CARDINAL

Answer Explanation:

Rearranging the letters of "LAD IN CAR" forms the word CARDINAL.

CARDINAL is a term for a high-ranking priest in the Catholic Church. The clue involves taking the letters of "lad in car" and rearranging them (as suggested by "upset") to get the name of this priest.

5 Eating out? (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "Eating out?": This phrase is a hint about the activity of eating in an outdoor or informal setting.

Answer: PICNIC

Answer Explanation:

• PICNIC means having a meal outside, typically in a casual, outdoor setting. The clue is asking for a word related to eating in such a manner.

6 Came over to the summit (4)

Clue Meaning:

• "Came over": This suggests a rephrasing or change in perspective.
• "to the summit": This indicates the highest point or peak.

Answer: ACME

• "ACME" means the highest point or peak of something. ACME means the top or highest point of something. The clue is looking for a word that represents the summit or peak, and ACME fits this meaning.

11 New ideal end for the time limit (8)

Clue Meaning:

• "New ideal": This part suggests an anagram. The word "new" indicates that we need to rearrange the letters of "ideal."
• "end for the time limit": This is the definition part of the clue, it refers to a time limit or deadline.

Answer: DEADLINE.

Answer Explanation:

Rearranging the letters of "ideal" and adding "end" gives DEADLINE. DEADLINE means a time limit by which something must be completed. The clue involves rearranging the letters of "ideal" with "end" to form the word DEADLINE, which fits the idea of a time limit.

13 Bird upsets rodents and fish (8)

Clue Meaning:

• "Bird": This is the definition part of the clue, referring to a type of bird.
• "upsets rodents and fish": This suggests that the word is an anagram of "rodents" and "fish."
• "upsets": Indicates that we need to rearrange the letters.

Answer: STARLING

Anagram: Rearranging the letters of "rodents" can give us STARLING, a bird.​​​​​​​ STARLING is the name of a bird. The clue means that if you rearrange the letters of the word "rodents," you get the name of the bird STARLING. The word "upsets" hints at the need to mix up or anagram the letters.

15 Man I have found to be an indigenous local (6)

Clue Meaning:

1. "Man I have found": This part of the clue is hinting at the word. The phrase "I have found" suggests that we need to identify or define the term.
2. "to be an indigenous local": This is the definition part of the clue. It means someone who is indigenous or local to a particular place.

Answer: NATIVE

Answer Explanation:

NATIVE means someone who is originally from a particular place, so it describes an indigenous local person. The clue is guiding you to this term by suggesting a definition that fits the idea of being local or originally from a place.

17 South Africa takes the French line on pay (6)

Clue Meaning:

• "South Africa": The abbreviation for South Africa is SA.
• "takes the French line": In French, the word for "the" is "LA" and "line" refers to "RY" (a common abbreviation for "railway" or "line").
• "on pay": The whole clue is defining the term for pay.

Answer: SALARY

Answer Explanation:

• SA (South Africa) + LA (French "the") + RY (line) gives SALARY.

SALARY means the money you are paid for your work. The clue is built by combining abbreviations and French terms to lead to the word for pay.

19 You won't know if you're in it (4)

Clue Meaning:

• "You won't know if you're in it": This implies that if you're in a situation where it is dark, you cannot see or know what's around you.

Answer: DARK

Answer Explanation:

DARK fits this description because in the dark, you cannot see anything, so you won't know what’s happening or what’s around you. DARK means not having light. If you're in the dark, you can't see anything, so you wouldn't know what’s around or what’s happening. The clue suggests that being in the dark means you won't have knowledge or awareness.

21 Midday either way (4)

Clue Meaning:

1. "Midday": This is the definition part of the clue, and NOON is the time of day that represents midday.
2. "either way": This indicates that the word reads the same forward and backward, meaning it is a palindrome.

Answer: NOON

Answer Explanation:

NOON is a palindrome, which means it reads the same way in either direction (forward or backward). NOON is the time of day when it is midday. The clue also hints that "either way" means the word is the same forwards and backwards, which fits NOON.