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The Independent's Cryptic Crossword Clue Answer - March 28, 2024

Are you struggling hard to find the correct answers? No worries! Unlock the answer for the challenging The Independent's Cryptic Clue of March 28, 2024.

by Abisha

Updated Mar 28, 2024

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword Clue Answer - March 28, 2024

Do you like crossword puzzles but don't have much time? The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is perfect for you! It's a quick enjoyable crossword puzzle that can be completed quickly. Plus, it's a lot of fun to see how many words you can find! Every hint will lead you to get the correct answer.

Sometimes the clues are easy, and other times they make you think outside the box. If you are finding it hard, just chill and scroll down to get the solution.

Hide onset of chronic pain (5)

Answer: CACHE

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"Hide" indicates a synonym for "cache," which can mean to store or hide something away. "Onset of chronic pain" suggests taking the first letters of "chronic pain," which gives "C."

Fetching new red coat for Idris Elba (9)

Answer: DESIRABLE

"Fetching" can mean attractive or appealing. "New red coat for Idris Elba" is an anagram clue for "DESIRABLE," which means highly desirable or sought-after.

Broadcast The Jazz Singer? (7)

Answer: SCATTER

"Broadcast" suggests spreading out or dispersing something widely. "The Jazz Singer" could refer to scattered musical notes or sounds, which fits the answer "SCATTER."

Sporting event blasted target area (7)

Answer: REGATTA

"Sporting event" suggests a competitive event. "Blasted" could mean moving swiftly, and "target area" might suggest water, as in the area where boats race. A "regatta" is a sporting event consisting of a series of boat races.

School checks faculty have good reasons for rifle permit? (6,7)

Answer: SEARCH WARRANT

This is a cryptic clue. "School checks faculty" suggests that we need to look for a word related to schools and faculty. "Have good reasons for" suggests something that is legally authorized. "Rifle permit" indicates that we're looking for something that authorizes searching. The answer, "SEARCH WARRANT," fits these criteria.

Well acquainted with and in contact with (4)

Answer: UPON

"Well acquainted with" suggests being closely associated with something. "In contact with" suggests being in close proximity. "Upon" can mean both "well acquainted with" and "in contact with" in various contexts.

Fresh nurses start to re-examine rash (9)

Answer: IMPRUDENT

"Fresh" suggests something new or inexperienced. "Nurses start to re-examine" indicates the first letters of "nurses" and "re-examine," which gives "IM." "Rash" can mean careless or hasty. The answer "IMPRUDENT" fits, meaning lacking discretion or wisdom, or rash in action.

Criticise church taking instrument back in fit of pique (9)

Answer: PETULANCE

"Criticise" suggests finding a word meaning to complain or express dissatisfaction. "Church taking instrument back" could indicate removing the letter "p" (an instrument abbreviation for "piano") from the word "petulance," which means a sudden fit of irritation or annoyance.

Sexually attractive male boss (4)

Answer: STUD

"Sexually attractive" describes someone physically appealing. "Male boss" indicates a man in a position of authority. "Stud" is a slang term for a man considered attractive.

Cleaner ticks off mourner (6-7)

Answer: CARPETSWEEPER

"Cleaner" suggests someone who cleans carpets. "Ticks off" means annoys or angers. "Mourner" is someone grieving a loss. A carpet sweeper is a cleaning tool, but the clue is a bit of a pun, implying the cleaner's actions (sweeping) might upset someone in mourning (like sweeping away memories).

Indecent milieu and activities of former pupils? (7)

Answer: OBSCENE

"Indecent" means offensive or improper. "Milieu" is an environment or setting. "Activities of former pupils" suggests things students might do. "Obscene" describes something offensive or vulgar, and it could connect to the idea of an improper environment or student behavior.

Unchanging exterior masking sign of affection- (7)

Answer: ETERNAL

"Unchanging exterior" suggests something that appears the same on the outside. "Masking" implies hiding something. "Sign of affection" is a display of love or caring. "Eternal" means everlasting or unchanging, and it connects to the idea of something hidden (affection) beneath a constant exterior.

Son flusters about causing tension (9)

Answer: STRESSFUL

"Son" refers to a male child. "Flusters about" suggests someone panicking or rushing around. "Causing tension" implies creating stress or anxiety. "Stressful" describes a situation that causes tension or anxiety, which fits the image of a son causing a commotion.

Fear about to transfix old man (5)

Answer: DREAD

"Fear" is a feeling of anxiety or apprehension. "About to transfix" suggests something that will grip or paralyze someone. "Old man" refers to an elderly person. "Dread" is a feeling of intense fear or apprehension, which connects to the idea of fear gripping an old man.

Investigate possibility of ripping off patient (4)

Answer: CASE

"Investigate" means to examine something closely. "Possibility of ripping off" suggests a potential scam or dishonest act. "Patient" refers to someone receiving medical care. A "case" can refer to a situation being investigated, and in healthcare, it can also refer to a patient's medical situation. The clue plays on the dual meaning of "case".

Awful cameraman who could be better (11)

Answer: CRAPSHOOTER

"Awful" means very bad. "Cameraman" operates a camera. "Could be better" suggests a lack of skill. "Crapshooter" is a slang term for a very bad photographer or cameraman. It's a playful term referencing someone who seems to be taking random shots with no guarantee of a good picture.

Catch business associate coming back after finishing early (6)

Answer: ENTRAP

"Catch" indicates the definition of the clue. "Business associate" could refer to someone involved in commerce. "Coming back after finishing early" suggests reversing the word "late" to get "etal" (finishing early), and placing it after the word "partner" (business associate), gives us "ENTRAP," meaning to catch in a trap.

Misled into supporting dreadful Conservative Government (9)

Answer: DIRECTION

"Misled" indicates an anagram. "Supporting dreadful Conservative Government" suggests rearranging the letters in "Conservative Government" after removing "dreadful" (as an indicator to exclude it from the anagram), giving "DIRECTION," which means guidance or leadership.

Ship's primary means of propulsion using blades? (5)

Answer: SCREW

"Ship's primary means of propulsion" suggests the main method a ship uses to move forward. "Blades" implies screw blades. A "screw" is a type of propeller used as a ship's primary means of propulsion.

Scrupulous doctor able to absorb material without pressure (8)

Answer: RIGOROUS

"Scrupulous" suggests careful and thorough attention to detail. "Doctor" could refer to "MD," which is absorbed by "rigorous" without pressure, giving us "RIGOROUS," meaning extremely thorough and careful.

Boring item input to computer had an effect (3)

Answer: BIT

"Boring item" suggests something small and uninteresting. "Input to computer" indicates a computer bit. "Had an effect" implies the definition of the clue. A "bit" is the smallest unit of data in a computer.

Pretend computer systems issue involves accuracy (10)

Answer: EXACTITUDE

"Pretend" suggests an anagram. "Computer systems issue" implies rearranging the letters in "computer systems." "Involves accuracy" indicates the definition of the clue. "EXACTITUDE" refers to precision or accuracy.

What damages growth is seniority surprisingly, not diversity (5,6)

Answer: AGENTORANGE

"Damages growth" suggests something that hinders progress. "Seniority" refers to the length of time someone has been in a position. Diversity implies a variety of things or people.
The clue suggests that surprisingly, a long tenure (seniority) can be detrimental to growth, as opposed to having a wider range of perspectives (diversity).
Agent Orange is a defoliant used in the Vietnam War that caused long-term damage to the environment, making it a fitting answer for something that hinders growth.

Fortunate adult wary, not having succeeded initially- (10)

Answer: AUSPICIOUS

"Fortunate" suggests lucky or successful. "Wary" means cautious or apprehensive. "Not having succeeded initially" implies failing at first.
Auspicious means favorable or promising, which can seem contradictory if someone is fortunate but initially wary or unsuccessful. However, it can also suggest that despite early challenges, the outcome is ultimately positive.

Gunpowder in small batches? (9)

Answer: PIECEMEAL

"Gunpowder" is an explosive used in firearms. "In small batches" suggests something done in parts or fragments. Piecemeal means done in bits and pieces, which describes gunpowder being stored or used in small quantities for safety reasons.

Stupid advice to overworked crossword compiler? (8)

Answer: CLUELESS

"Stupid advice" is self-explanatory. "Overworked crossword compiler" suggests someone who is busy creating crossword puzzles and might need helpful hints (clues).
Clueless means lacking knowledge or understanding, which is the opposite of what a crossword compiler needs. It's also a humorous answer for someone who creates clues.

Cover opening of store in advance of publicity? (6)

Answer: SPREAD

"Cover" can mean to conceal something. "Opening of store" refers to a new store launching. "Publicity" is the act of promoting something to the public. Spreading the word or generating publicity for a store opening would likely happen before the actual opening.

Flesh out support provided by board (5)

Answer: SHELF

"Flesh out" means to give more detail or substance to something. "Support provided by board" could be a metaphor for something that provides stability or structure, like a shelf on a wall. A shelf is a physical example of something that is supported by a board and provides additional space or "fleshing out" of storage capacity.

Saint guided Bob? (4)

Answer: SLED

"Saint" refers to a holy person. "Guided" suggests showing the way or direction. This clue is a bit of a play on words. Saint Bernard dogs are known for rescuing people in the Alps, and they might be seen as "guiding" people. "Bob" can be a name or a reference to the motion of something sliding up and down.
A sled is an object that slides on snow, and the image of a Saint Bernard guiding someone might be associated with snowy landscapes, making "sled" a fitting answer.

Gentleman incarcerated in prison following revolution- (3)

Answer: SIR

"Gentleman" refers to a well-mannered man. "Incarcerated in prison" means being locked up. "Following revolution" suggests a time of social or political upheaval.
Sir is a term used to address a man, and it can also be used ironically or humorously, implying that someone who might have been considered a gentleman (of high social status) before a revolution might now be imprisoned after the social order has changed.