Holiday Cryptic Clues Quiz

Ahhhh summer – a time for sun, for sand and well, also for word puzzles! Yes, that’s right – here to get you through the holiday break, we’ve compiled a collection of 25 cryptic clues for you to solve. (New to solving cryptic clues? They’re not scary! Check out this excellent clue explainer here.)

These are great to try and solve with a friend – and once you’ve completed them all, the first letter of each answer should spell out a message to guide you in 2021…

1. I’m one museum to copy. (7)
2. Right inside the demon I find a buddy. (6)
3. Use this to measure three feet and a baton. (9)
4. Some balloon celebrations don’t happen again. (4)
5. Bull? Mare? Mix and find shelter. (8)
6. Dig into my scar to only find an animated feature. (7)
7. A science workshop and a mother provide a sweet home! (7)
8. It won’t happen to Adam’s garden gal between the odd nerd. (5)
9. Cadets in disarray create space. (8)
10. Chop off the bunny’s tail to summon the Jewish teacher. (5)
11. This clue is Spanish, not odd! (6)
12. A bad Cuban meal might land you here! (9)
13. Mix almond in this stringed instrument. (8)
14. This Indies pear certainly sounds hopeless! (2, 7)
15. It has its highs and lows when you edit backwards. (4)
16. Fewer years for half a yo-yo, a broken gun and the Queen. (7)
17. Bounced the ends off to get this measurement. (5)
18. Secret police mission to stay in bed? (10)
19. The eleventh letter and I call out to my best friend. (6)
20. Breaking a pine attic? I see it coming! (10)
21. High sun, whichever way you look at it. (4)
22. I saved on keys partially to use it for beach rides. (6)
23. It’s the end of six balls. (4)
24. One enigma ruined John’s 1971 plea. (7)
25. Teas with ten in the middle will leave you in quite a state! (5)

— ANSWERS BELOW (scroll)—

1. IMITATE
2. FRIEND
3. YARDSTICK
4. ONCE
5. UMBRELLA
6. CARTOON
7. ALABAMA
8. NEVER
9. DISTANCE
10. RABBI
11. ELEVEN
12. AMBULANCE
13. MANDOLIN
14. IN DESPAIR
15. TIDE
16. YOUNGER
17. OUNCE
18. UNDERCOVER
19. CANINE
20. ANTICIPATE
21. NOON
22. DONKEY
23. OVER
24. IMAGINE
25. TEXAS