Feb 12 clues & answers
Every clue of this Indian mini crossword by Mangesh Ghogre, with the answer and, where it helps, how the wordplay works. Solve it yourself first: the puzzle is open to subscribers.
Across
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1A
Beat decisively
DRUB
To drub someone is to beat them thoroughly or by a wide margin. So DRUB fits “beat decisively.”
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5A
Beat in a marathon
OUTRAN
“Outran” means ran faster than someone and finished ahead of them. So, you outran a rival when you beat them in a marathon.
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8A
Left home?
ESTATE
An estate is the property someone leaves behind when they die. “Left home?” hints at the home and other belongings they leave behind.
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9A
Indian band that won Grammys 2024 for Best Global Music Album
SHAKTI
SHAKTI is an Indian fusion band that won the 2024 Grammy for Best Global Music Album. Their album *This Moment* received the award.
In the Wordbook: Shakti -
10A
"Are you for ___?"
REAL
“Are you for real?” is a common way to ask if someone is serious or telling the truth. So “REAL” completes the phrase.
Down
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1D
"____ that make sense?"
DOES
The phrase is “Does that make sense?” “Does” completes the familiar question about whether something is understandable.
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2D
____-hour traffic
RUSH
“Rush-hour traffic” is the heavy traffic people encounter when traveling to or from work. The word “rush” completes the familiar phrase.
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3D
South : Dakshin :: North : ___
UTTAR
“Dakshin” means “south” in Hindi. “Uttar” means “north,” so it completes the pair.
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4D
Stopper
BRAKE
A brake stops or slows a moving vehicle or machine. That makes “BRAKE” a good fit for “Stopper.”
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6D
Naan flour
ATTA
Atta is a wheat flour used in Indian cooking. It can be used to make naan, so it fits the clue.
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7D
Astronaut Armstrong
NEIL
Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon. “Neil” is his first name, so it fits the clue “Astronaut Armstrong.”