4-Letter Words: Cryptic Sampler

The cryptic crossword puzzle, ‘Something Different’ by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, was published in The Atlantic, January 1993. It has several 4-letter answers, as presented here (some of them had to be changed before entry in the diagram).

See “Cryptic Clue-Solving for Beginners” for a guide to cryptic crossword solving.

Swindle fellows from the East
clue: fellow = macs; from the East (reversed)
answer: scam (swindle)

Heavy metal star
clue: double definition: heavy metal & star
answer: lead

Small band with tenor at resort
clue: tenor = t; at resort = rio
answer: trio (small band)

Keeps timeless remarks
clue: keeps = stays; timeless (minus t)
answer: says (remarks)

Essay about old Phrygian city
clue: essay = try; about old = o
answer: troy (Phrygian city)

Take a chance on a sort of VCR
clue: take a chance = bet; on ‘a’
answer: beta (sort of VCR)

Recognized London gardens needing nitrogen
clue: London gardens = kew; needing nitrogen = n
answer: knew (recognized)

Burn some corn after school
clue: some corn = ear; after school = s
answer: sear (burn)

Clown wheels and deals, principally
clue: wheels = car; deals, principally = d
answer: card (clown)

Returned TV set without volume check
clue: TV set without volume (minus v); returned (reversed)
answer: test (check)

Pretentious social event after the first
clue: social event = party; after the first (minus first letter)
answer: arty (pretentious)

Sow observed on The Beverly Hillbillies?
clue: observed, as a hillbilly might say
answer: seed (sow)

Jump on blades left behind sharp tool
clue: left = l; behind (after) sharp tool = axel
answer: axel (jump on blades)

Grow stern
clue: double definition: grow & stern
answer: rear

Commotions pop up
clue: pop = soda; up (reversed)
answer: ados (commotions)

Bird watcher ultimately goes in three directions
clue: watcher ultimately = r (last letter); goes in three direction = W E N
answer: wren (bird)