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Quick Cryptic #6 – On and Off

■ · By nate · Published 2025-02-09T13:00:27.084Z

Constructor's Note
Each clue starts or ends with a definition of the answer. The rest is one of these types of wordplay:
Alternating letters: Take every other letter from part of the clue
"Support regulars in bar, say (3)" gives BRA
Anagram: All the right letters are in the clue, just in the wrong order
"Beginning with wrong notes (5)" gives ONSET
Hidden: The answer is hidden somewhere in the clue
"Rhyme mostly includes short reminder (4)" gives MEMO
More on how cryptics work
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Comments

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  • nate constructor · 2025-02-09T13:00:27.084Z
    Explanations:
    1A: game of chance; aLl-OuT eThOs minus the odd-numbered letters (ignoring the odds)
    4A: swarm; hidden in (during) deMO Bees
    5A: swear words?; alternating letters in (occasionally censored) kInD bOt
    7A: fruit farm; CHAR ROD being anagrammed (after reorganizing)
    8A: Live; alternating (regularly visited) letters in tOwN lA pIeR
    1D: Transitional place; hidden in (in between) sLIM BOundaries
    2D: stuff from a cigarette; COB TACO being anagrammed (prepared)
    3D: Island; hidden (featured) in boOK IN A WAy
    6D: more mature; OR LED being anagrammed (developed)
    • JacksonSets 🤓2:13 · 2025-02-09T19:51:46.529Z
      Fun puzzle! I find the “every other letter” indicators hard to clue, but you had some very natural-reading ones - not easy! 5A was my favorite
      • nate constructor · 2025-02-09T20:48:11.142Z
        Thanks Jackson! I have the same feeling about alternating letter clues so I did a lot of iterating to come up with decent surfaces, 5a is my fav too :)
      • Sendhil Revuluri 🤓1:54 · 2025-02-10T20:07:17.082Z
        Great lesson so I was able to tackle (and parse) all of the entries! Thanks much! Looking forward to more beginner puzzles/lessons!
        • Zoltan Hesley 16:22 · 2025-02-13T19:08:25.856Z
          Thank you Nate for enjoyable crossword.
          • bergie 🤓2:01 · 2025-02-13T19:26:16.590Z
            Fun one. Thanks.
            • wordsmix 🤓1:20 · 2025-02-14T01:47:53.720Z
              Thanks
              Play today's daily mini crossword
              1A
              Ignoring the odds: "all-out" ethos for game of chance (5)
              1
              2
              3
              4
              5
              6
              7
              8
              Across
              1. 1A
                Ignoring the odds: "all-out" ethos for game of chance (5)
              2. 4A
                During demo, bees swarm (3)
              3. 5A
                Kind bot occasionally censored swear words? (1,2)
              4. 7A
                Char rod after reorganizing fruit farm (7)
              5. 8A
                Live in town, LA pier regularly visited (2,3)
              Down
              1. 1D
                Transitional place in between slim boundaries (5)
              2. 2D
                Prepared cob taco with stuff from a cigarette (7)
              3. 3D
                Island featured in book, in a way (7)
              4. 6D
                Developed or led to be more mature (5)
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