Solution for 23 August cryptic crossword clue

Run to avoid large snake (5)
Solution – adder


The clue was a deletion one.  These are less common than many other sorts of clues such as anagrams or charades.  For more about different clue types see the sidebar under the StumbleUpon button.


If you have a "run" in your stocking you have a "ladder".  If you remove or "avoid" "l" standing for "large" you end up with "adder" which of course is a type of snake.  


Here the setter is showing his unfamiliarity with snakes in that the dictionary tells us that adders are reasonably small – it is the only venomous snake in the UK.  But they aren't as lucky as New Zealand – we don't have snakes at all, thank goodness.