Crossword puzzles make your vocabulary stronger and also sharpen your problem-solving skills. Regularly doing crossword puzzles can increase your memory and overall brain power. They are an enjoyable way to relax. So, next time you are looking for a fun challenge, grab a crossword and try it.
Destroy his model accidentally (8)
“Destroy his model accidentally” suggests an action that results in the unintentional destruction of a model or structure. “Demolish” fits this description perfectly, as it means to tear down or destroy a building or object, often in a deliberate or forceful manner. The inclusion of “his model” adds a personal touch, implying that the destruction is specifically targeting someone’s creation or work.
Urge copper quietly to get item of tableware (6)
EGGCUP
This clue involves wordplay, combining elements of a cryptic clue. “Urge copper quietly” hints at the letters U-R-G-E, followed by “copper” suggesting the chemical symbol “Cu,” and “quietly” indicating the removal of the letter “p” (which stands for “piano” in musical notation). Putting these together gives us “URGE” + “CU” + “P” = “EGGCUP,” an item of tableware.
Set of furniture used by engineers during the quiet course, say (5-5,5)
THREEPIECESUITE
This clue cleverly disguises the answer as a set of furniture used during a “quiet course,” which might initially mislead the solver. However, “quiet course” is actually hinting at the word “piece” being a homophone for “peace.” So, “quiet” indicates the homophone aspect, and “course” suggests a sequence of events. Thus, “THREE PIECE SUITE,” a set of furniture typically consisting of a sofa and two armchairs, is the answer.
Former partner with a pit to inspect (7)
EXAMINE
“Former partner” suggests an ex or an old romantic relationship. “With a pit to inspect” indicates that the answer involves looking closely at something, as one might do when examining a pit or hole. “Examine” fits perfectly, as it means to inspect or scrutinize something closely, aligning with the clue’s description.
Ring given to male, one with common sense, being threatening (7)
OMINOUS
In this clue, “Ring given to male” hints at the letter “O,” as rings are often circular. “One with common sense” suggests “MIND,” and “being threatening” describes something ominous or foreboding. So, “OMINOUS,” meaning threatening or menacing, fits the clue’s description.
Woman from US state (8)
VIRGINIA
This clue is straightforward, requiring knowledge of US geography. “Woman from US state” indicates the name of a female given to a state in the United States. “Virginia” is a common female name and the name of a US state, making it the correct answer.
Son and father in European country (5)
SPAIN
Here, “Son and father” hint at the letters “S” and “P,” and “European country” indicates the location of the answer. “Spain” fits the clue perfectly, being a European country and starting with the letters “S” and “P.”
Choose some of the lectures (5)
ELECT
“Choose” suggests the action of selecting or picking something. “Some of the lectures” indicates that the answer involves choosing a part of something. “Elect” fits the clue, as it means to choose or select for a particular position or purpose.
Surprisingly, Ken seems to show humility (8)
MEEKNESS
“Surprisingly” suggests an anagram, indicating that the letters of “Ken” need to be rearranged. “Seems to show humility” describes the characteristic of being meek or humble. “Meekness” is a quality associated with humility, making it the correct answer.
Umpire, 50, going round America getting knock-back (7)
REFUSAL
“Umpire, 50” suggests the letter “R” (which is the 18th letter of the alphabet, half of 50). “Going round America” hints at the letters “USA.” “Getting knock-back” describes the act of refusing or rejecting something. “Refusal” aligns perfectly with the clue’s description.
All tire badly, to be exact (7)
LITERAL
“All tire badly” suggests an anagram of “All tire,” resulting in “literal.” “To be exact” hints at the literal interpretation of something, without metaphor or exaggeration. “Literal” fits the clue’s description, meaning precisely what it says, without embellishment or interpretation.
Ruining her plans, creep in with stationery item (6,9)
PENCILSHARPENER
“Ruining her plans” suggests an anagram of “her plans,” resulting in “PENCIL SHARPENER.” “Creep in” indicates the act of inserting or sneaking something into a particular place. “Stationery item” describes what a pencil sharpener is—a tool used for sharpening pencils—making “PENCIL SHARPENER” the correct answer.
Slim head of geography’s belongings (6)
THINGS
“Slim” suggests the removal of the first letter, leaving “LIM.” “Head of geography’s” indicates the first letter of “geography,” which is “G.” Putting “LIM” and “G” together gives us “THINGS,” which refers to belongings or possessions.
South-east journalist getting a smaller amount without pips (8)
SEEDLESS
“South-east” suggests the letters “SE.” “Journalist” represents “ED,” which is a common abbreviation for an editor. “Getting a smaller amount” indicates removing “ED” (or a smaller amount) from “SEEDLESS,” which originally might have been “SEEDED.” “Without pips” means removing the seeds. Thus, “SEEDLESS” fits the clue.
Woman on the river will hesitate (6)
DITHER
“Woman” suggests using the abbreviation for “her,” which is “H.” “On the river” indicates “DIT” (a dike or embankment). “Will hesitate” implies the act of hesitating or wavering, which can be described as “DITHER.”
Spread for ranger I am spoiling (9)
MARGARINE
“Ranger” suggests “MAR.” “I am” can be abbreviated to “I’M.” “Spoiling” indicates the need to change some letters. When “I’M” is inserted into “MAR” and some letters are rearranged (“spoiled”), we get “MARGARINE,” which is a spread.
Man with phone looking lecherously (7)
LEERING
“Man” suggests the pronoun “HE.” “With phone” indicates “RING,” which phonetically sounds like “RING.” “Looking lecherously” implies the act of leering, which is captured by “LEERING.”
Be excellent with gloss (5)
SHINE
“Be excellent” suggests the word “SHINE,” which means to be excellent or outstanding. “With gloss” reinforces the idea of being shiny or having a glossy appearance, further connecting to the answer.
Scandalmongers depart with small drinks (7)
GOSSIPS
“Scandalmongers” refers to those who spread gossip. “Depart” suggests removing the last letter from “GOSSIPS,” which originally might have been “GOSSIP.” “With small drinks” implies adding “SIPS” (small drinks) to the remaining letters. Thus, “GOSSIPS” fits the clue.
One in vehicle with nothing from capital (5)
CAIRO
“One in vehicle” suggests the letter “I” in “CAR.” “Nothing” refers to “O.” “Capital” indicates that the answer is the name of a capital city. Putting “I” inside “CAR” and adding “O” gives us “CAIRO,” the capital city of Egypt.
Urgent ironing (8)
PRESSING
“Urgent” suggests the need for something immediate or pressing. “Ironing” refers to the act of pressing clothes with an iron. So, “PRESSING” is the appropriate term for this clue.
Expert smothers company junior in praise (8)
ACCOLADE
“Expert” suggests “ACE.” “Company” is often abbreviated as “CO.” “Junior” can be represented as “LAD.” Putting “ACE” around “CO” and “LAD” (smothering or surrounding them) gives us “ACCOLADE,” which means praise or recognition.
Strange salesmen, anonymous (8)
NAMELESS
“Strange” suggests an anagram indicator, implying that the letters of “salesmen” need to be rearranged. “Anonymous” hints at the idea of being nameless or lacking a name. So, rearranging the letters of “salesmen” gives us “NAMELESS,” which fits the clue.
Promise from Sean as cur moved (9)
ASSURANCE
“Promise from Sean” suggests the name “Sean” or “S.” “Cur” is a dog, often represented as “R,” and “moved” implies rearranging the letters. Putting “S” around “R” gives us “ASSURANCE,” which means a promise or guarantee.
Worn-out salesman is seen during month with it (8)
DECREPIT
“Worn-out” suggests something that is old and in poor condition. “Salesman” refers to “REP,” and “is seen during month” implies that it occurs within the word “DEC” (short for December). So, combining “DEC” with “REP” gives us “DECREPIT,” which means worn out or dilapidated.
Trying class turning up before sound of bell (7)
TESTING
“Trying class” suggests a test or examination. “Turning up” indicates the reversal of “CLASS,” giving us “SSALC.” “Before sound of bell” implies the removal of “B” (the first letter of “bell”). Putting “SSALC” before “TING” (the sound of a bell without the first letter) gives us “TESTING.”
Jotter used by funny poet, Dan (7)
NOTEPAD
“Jotter” refers to a pad of paper for taking notes. “Funny poet, Dan” suggests the comedian and poet “Dan” (short for Daniel). So, “NOTEPAD” is the pad of paper used by Dan to jot down notes.
Fellow with earls changing trousers (6)
FLARES
“Fellow” can be represented by “LAD.” “Earls” suggests “EARS.” “Changing trousers” implies rearranging the letters of “EARS” and putting them around “LAD.” So, combining “EARS” with “LAD” gives us “FLARES,” which are a type of trousers.
Amusing US soldier providing mushrooms (5)
FUNGI
- “Amusing” suggests a synonym for “fun.”
- “US soldier” hints at the abbreviation for a member of the US military, which is “GI.”
- “Providing mushrooms” suggests the type of organism being referred to.
- Putting these together, “GI” (US soldier) is providing “FUN” (amusing), leading to “FUNGI,” which refers to mushrooms.
Set off from desirable avenue (5)
LEAVE
- “Set off” indicates departing or leaving.
- “Desirable avenue” refers to a positive path or direction.
- So, “LEAVE” fits as it means to depart or set off from a place.Express Crusader Crossword
