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Quiz about Cryptically Down and Up Again

Cryptically Down and Up Again Trivia Quiz

Solve the cryptic clues, then drop a letter to reach the word suggested by each subsequent clue. I'll tell you when to start adding letters again.

A multiple-choice quiz by spanishliz. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
spanishliz

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
384,467

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
455

Question 1 of 10

1. Is he a thoroughly hidden case?

Answer: (One Word - six letters)

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Drop a letter, then solve this clue:

Odium surrounds point with alacrity.

Answer: (One Word - five letters)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Drop a letter, and curtail speed for old-fashioned ownership.

Answer: (One Word - four letters)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Drop a letter, and solve the clue:

Homburg and top, to begin

Answer: (One Word - three letters)

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Another letter must be dropped before solving this one:

Endless faucet of gratitude

Answer: (One Word - two letters)

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Add a letter now, and solve this:

Initially call all Toms!

Answer: (One word - three letters)

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Find a four letter word (having added a letter) using this clue:

Theatre company with arm in plaster

Answer: (One Word - four letters)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Adding another letter will help solve this clue:

French felines' discussions

Answer: (One Word - five letters)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Solve the penultimate clue by adding one more letter.

He cast recklessly to injure.

Answer: (One Word - six letters)

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. One more letter to be added, to solve this clue:

Stop at Chester's to find the right material to fix your jeans.

Answer: (One Word - seven letters)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Is he a thoroughly hidden case?

Answer: sheath

I(S HE A TH)oroughly....

The word "hidden" tells you that this is a hidden word clue.

A sheath is a case in which to keep a knife, or a style of close-fitting ladies' dress.

2. Drop a letter, then solve this clue: Odium surrounds point with alacrity.

Answer: haste

Odium = Hate
Point, of the compass = S (for south)
Hate surrounding a point = Ha(s)te

Alacrity, which can be a synonym for haste, usually has the connotation of willingness and readiness, and not just speed.

3. Drop a letter, and curtail speed for old-fashioned ownership.

Answer: hast

Curtail speed = Shorten the word "haste", a synonym of "speed", by removing the E.

Thou hast the correct answer, if thy answer is "hast".

4. Drop a letter, and solve the clue: Homburg and top, to begin

Answer: hat

The words "to begin" indicate that the answer is to be found in the first letters of the preceding words:

H(omburg)A(nd)T(op) = Hat

A homburg is a man's felt hat, with a curled brim and a dented crown, while a top hat is the sort of thing Fred Astaire wore in the movie of the same name.

5. Another letter must be dropped before solving this one: Endless faucet of gratitude

Answer: ta

Faucet = Tap
Endless faucet = Ta

"Ta" is an informal way of saying "Thank you", especially in England. Some sources attribute its use to the influence of Danish on the English language, and say that it comes from the Danish word "tak".

6. Add a letter now, and solve this: Initially call all Toms!

Answer: cat

Initially tells us to use the initial letters of the other words. C(all)A(ll)T(oms) = Cat

Male cats are known as toms, which is a bit of a clue. An informal term for non-pedigree cats, in British English, is moggie.

7. Find a four letter word (having added a letter) using this clue: Theatre company with arm in plaster

Answer: cast

This is a double definition clue.

A theatre company can also be known as the cast of a play.

A broken arm can be set in a plaster cast, which the members of the cast could all sign should they want to do so.

8. Adding another letter will help solve this clue: French felines' discussions

Answer: chats

This is also a double definition.

The French word for a cat (feline) is "chat", and having a discussion is to have a "chat".

(The answer has to include the final S because it is already there in the preceding word. The letter added here is the H.)

9. Solve the penultimate clue by adding one more letter. He cast recklessly to injure.

Answer: scathe

The word "recklessly" tells us to anagram "he cast", giving us the word "scathe".

Scathe can be a verb meaning to harm, or a noun meaning the injury caused.
A soldier returning from a war unscathed has been very lucky indeed.

10. One more letter to be added, to solve this clue: Stop at Chester's to find the right material to fix your jeans.

Answer: patches

The word "find" points to a hidden word clue, and the rest of the sentence suggests the answer.

Sto(P AT CHES)ter's...

Patches on jeans and other clothing go in and out of style. When I was young I had a pair of jeans I loved so much that by the time I finally threw them away, they were more patch than jean!

Source: Author spanishliz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Fifiona81 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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