0xharib/xword1 · Datasets at Hugging Face

instruction stringclasses 1 value	input stringlengths 16 143	output stringlengths 40 1.17k
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Disengagement of military unit (10)	### Answer: DETACHMENT ### Explanation: Definition: Disengagement,military unit Double defn: 1st: Separation from; and 2nd: A body of troops or ships,military unit that have been sent out to be stationed away from the main force or fleet.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Drink when in adversity (4)	### Answer: DOWN ### Explanation: Definition: Drink,when in adversity Double defn: 1st: Drink quickly or in one gulp; and 2nd: Descriptive of one experiencing adverse conditions, eg. being down in a match, or down on the ground, or being down in the dumps.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Litter container (6)	### Answer: PIGSTY ### Explanation: Definition: Litter container Cryptic defn: An enclosure,container for a litter of pigs. Cryptic to the extent that the more usual meaning is of a wastebin or suchlike.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Monopolised the market, but put in a difficult position (8)	### Answer: CORNERED ### Explanation: Definition: Monopolised the market,put in a difficult position Double defn: 1st: For a seller, gained practically 100% of the market share, so that one is able monopolise it; and 2nd: At the same time, put all the other sellers in a corner,a difficult position to get out of from – from the literal sense of being in a corner, worse than having your back to the wall.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: It's OK if one wants an abbreviation (8)	### Answer: OKLAHOMA ### Explanation: Definition: It's OK if one wants an abbreviation Cryptic defn: Refers to the US state of Oklahoma, whose abbreviation, if one wants it, is "OK".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Attacks a pop group (6)	### Answer: STONES ### Explanation: Definition: Attacks,pop group Double defn: 2nd: The Rolling, those septuagenarian rockers.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sticking together, he said no changes are needed (8)	### Answer: ADHESION ### Explanation: Definition: Sticking together Anagram of(changes are needed) HE SAID NO. Defn: As a noun.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dreads writhing snakes (6)	### Answer: ADDERS ### Explanation: Definition: snakes Anagram of(writhing) DREADS.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: An illustration no longer big enough (7)	### Answer: EXAMPLE ### Explanation: Definition: An illustration EX-(prefix signifying no longer, as with "ex-wife") + AMPLE(big,large enough).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Constituent is firm member and one not without heart (9)	### Answer: COMPONENT ### Explanation: Definition: Constituent CO(abbrev. for "company",firm) + MP(Member of Parliament) plus(and) ONE + NT{"not" minus(without) "o", its middle letter,heart}.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Service lecture (6)	### Answer: SERMON ### Explanation: Definition: Service lecture Cryptic defn: A lecture one listens to during a church service.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: It could contain jam, but is certainly not jammed (4)	### Answer: AJAR ### Explanation: Definition: not jammed A JAR could contain jam. Answer: If a door is ajar, then it is not jammed shut (how about jammed open? That sometimes happens when the floor is not even, and the door has slightly shifted.)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 100% agreement, and no mistake! (3,5)	### Answer: ALL RIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: 100% agreement,no mistake Double defn: 1st: What you'd say in response to someone when you agree with what he's said.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: One ounce at first may be bracing (5)	### Answer: OZONE ### Explanation: Definition: may be bracing OZ(abbrev. for ounce weight) placed before(at first) ONE. Answer: The British Victorian folk myth was that the characteristic smell of the sea, carried by the breeze, was "bracing" and that the smell was due to ozone. Wrong on both counts – the smell is due to dimethyl suphide, a compound formed by phytoplankton, and which is toxic in high concentrations. As is ozone, nasty stuff but very useful in preventing ultraviolet rays from space from reaching plants and animals.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Compensate for being out of line? (7)	### Answer: REDRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Compensate Cryptic defn: To re-dress is to re-straighten a line, say, of soldiers, that has become crooked,out of line. To redress is to compensate,provide relief for a wrong or injury.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Applies preservatives – a typical measure cooking lambs (7)	### Answer: EMBALMS ### Explanation: Definition: Applies preservatives EM{a unit of measurement in printing type, originally from the space occupied by the letter "M", and whimsically described as typical, or "typ(e)-ical"} + anagram of(cooking) LAMBS. Nice surface, anyone for preserved lamb?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fellow supporting Judah's son continuously (2,3,2)	### Answer: ON AND ON ### Explanation: Definition: continuously DON(fellow,master at a learning institution) placed below(supporting, in a down clue) ONAN(the biblical Judah's second son, famed for having onanism named after him – because he "spilled his seed on the ground").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Ordering a trip to see a border river (3,6)	### Answer: RIO GRANDE ### Explanation: Definition: a border river Anagram of(trip) ORDERING A. Cleverly disguised anagram indicator and fodder. Answer: The river that partially flows on the border between USA (Texas) and Mexico.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stops for drinks (8)	### Answer: SCOTCHES ### Explanation: Definition: Stops,drinks Double defn.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: For certificate see master after swim (7)	### Answer: DIPLOMA ### Explanation: Definition: certificate [LO(see, as in "lo and behold") + MA(abbrev. for $$M$$aster of $$A$$rts)] placed below(after, in a down clue) DIP(a swim in the sea).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: It sounds bad lacking love – but they're in the pink! (7)	### Answer: NUDISTS ### Explanation: Definition: they're in the pink Anagram of(bad) [IT SUNDS]{"it sounds" minus(lacking) "o"(looks like zero,nil,love in tennis scores)}. Defn. and Answer: Figuratively, "in the pink" means "to be healthy"(cf. in the pink of health), from which one concludes, rightly or wrongly, that being a nudist keeps you healthy, or if you're unhealthy you can't be a nudist. Or it could literally be the colour you become when you go around nude – I know, English newspaper (printed on pink paper too)! 🙂
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: University man gets married (6)	### Answer: UNITED ### Explanation: Definition: married UNI(short for university) + TED(a man's name).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Yank going up to church in the valley (5)	### Answer: GULCH ### Explanation: Definition: valley Reversal of(going up, in a down clue) LUG(yank,pull) plus(to) CH(abbrev. for church building). Answer: American term for a narrow river cut by a fast stream,a sort of valley. Often mentioned in tales of the Wild Wild West.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Short of ammunition (4)	### Answer: AMMO ### Explanation: Definition: Short of ammunition Cryptic defn: Short for ammunition. Cryptic to the extent that "short of ammunition" usually means you've run out of bullets, and suchlike. Edit.note: Answer for picture 3 . Other answers in comments below.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Trim Christmas tree, perhaps (6)	### Answer: SPRUCE ### Explanation: Definition: Trim,Christmas tree, perhaps Double defn: 1st: Trim,neat in dress or appearance; and 2nd: A conifer that could,perhaps be used as a Christmas tree. Nice surface of 2 things one can do to a Christmas tree, "trim" being a Janus (two-faced) word meaning to add trimmings,ornaments,etc. and to remove surplus material to make it look neat.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Unknown barge sailing for Croatian city (6)	### Answer: ZAGREB ### Explanation: Definition: Croatian city Z(symbol in maths for an unknown quantity) + anagram of(sailing) BARGE.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tradesman's soft wood (7)	### Answer: PLUMBER ### Explanation: Definition: Tradesman P(abbrev. for piano,musical instruction to play softly) + LUMBER(cut pieces of wood)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Queen is playing during a spring month (7)	### Answer: MONARCH ### Explanation: Definition: Queen ON(is playing, as in "what's on at the Palladium?") contained in(during) MARCH(a month during the spring season)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Crazily it arrived around ten with a cabby (10)	### Answer: TAXIDRIVER ### Explanation: Definition: a cabby Anagram of(crazily) IT ARRIVED containing(around) X(Roman numeral for ten).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Marks cut over test (4)	### Answer: EXAM ### Explanation: Definition: test Reversal of(over) [M(abbrev. for "marks") + AXE(to cut,hew)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: European beast nearly got its teeth into lad (5)	### Answer: BISON ### Explanation: Definition: European beast BI{"bit"(got its teeth into) minus its last letter(nearly)} + SON(lad). Answer: An ox-like beast found in Europe, distinguishable from the related American bison, which the Americans also call buffalo. Interesting trivia: they may not look it, but they're good swimmers.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Notice book in catalogue (8)	### Answer: REGISTER ### Explanation: Definition: Notice,book,catalogue Triple defn: 1st: To notice,register in one's conscience; and 2nd: A book in which records are kept; and 3rd: A list of items as in a catalogue. This could very well be a double defn. instead, with 2 and 3 above combined, as a verbal phrase.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hustlers kissed loudly causing a scene (8)	### Answer: PROSPECT ### Explanation: Definition: scene PROS(short for prostitutes,hustlers,the oldest professionals, with apologies to other professionals, also called pros) + PECT{homophone of(loudly) "pecked"(kissed in a quick impersonal way)}. An interesting surface image, though I imagine there could be more intense scenes than pecking.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: A bit of Camembert is what causes a warm glow (5)	### Answer: EMBER ### Explanation: Definition: what causes a warm glow Hidden in(a bit of) camEMBERt.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gathered round a grub, say (4)	### Answer: MEAT ### Explanation: Definition: grub, say MET(gathered) containing(round) A. Answer: An example,say of food,grub in slang.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Aargh, typo's spoilt my theorem (10)	### Answer: PYTHAGORAS ### Explanation: Definition: my theorem Anagram of(spoilt) AARGH, TYPO'S. Answer: Of Samos, to be more precise, the ancient Greek mathematician, philosopher and founder of a religious movement, after whom that famous theorem is named – there is some evidence that knowledge of it predates him. Another trivia: This theorem has more proofs than any other mathematical theorem.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Deal with a daughter and a mini, say (7)	### Answer: ADDRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Deal with A + D(abbrev. for $$d$$aughter) plus(and) DRESS(an example of which,say, is the "mini" which first appeared and was popular in the 60s).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Turn the cheek in front of threatening wayfarer (7)	### Answer: PILGRIM ### Explanation: Definition: wayfarer Reversal of(turn) LIP(impudence,cheek) placed before(in front of) GRIM(threatening,doesn't look good, as in "things could look grim this winter").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: South African animal knocking over a drink with approval (6)	### Answer: REEBOK ### Explanation: Definition: South African animal Reversal of(knocking over) BEER(a drink) plus(with) OK(the okay,approval). Answer: A South African antelope, from Afrikaans from Dutch for "roebuck". The animal's association with speed inspired the naming of that line of running shoes.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Wife services pens (6)	### Answer: WRITES ### Explanation: Definition: pens W(abbrev. for $$w$$ife) + RITES(services,ceremonies, usually religious). Answer: As a verb.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: This could be hot dance (5)	### Answer: SALSA ### Explanation: Definition: This could be hot,dance Double defn: 1st: The hot sauce in Mexican cuisine, containing chillies; and 2nd: The lively vigorous dance originating from Puerto Rico. Nice surface as the dance can also be described as hot –
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stays behind and engineers gas pipes? (7)	### Answer: REMAINS ### Explanation: Definition: Stays behind RE(abbrev. for the $$R$$oyal $$E$$ngineers) + MAINS(the system of pipes, or its principal pipe, through which eg. gas or water, is distributed to households)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mixed cereal can cause an evacuation (9)	### Answer: CLEARANCE ### Explanation: Definition: evacuation Anagram of(mixed) CEREAL CAN. Think of this when you're next having breakfast. 🙂
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Romance is what protects when resistance is laid low (5)	### Answer: AMOUR ### Explanation: Definition: Romance "armour"(what protects) minus(when … is laid low) "r"(in physics, the symbol for electrical resistance).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Senior lecturers could be cheaters (7)	### Answer: READERS ### Explanation: Definition: Senior lecturers,cheaters Double defn: 1st: At a university or other institution of higher learning; and 2nd: Playing cards that are covertly marked on their reverse sides to indicate the suit or denomination, things to cheat with or cheaters.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pirate with a pair of 1 earrings, we hear (9)	### Answer: BUCCANEER ### Explanation: Definition: Pirate Homophone of(we hear) (with a) "buck"($1 in American slang) "an ear" – whimsical desciption of one sporting a pair of $1 earrings. Answer: It sounds more like "buck a near" to me though. But nice surface.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Exaggerate ancient history on nation (9)	### Answer: OVERSTATE ### Explanation: Definition: Exaggerate OVER(and done with,ancient history) placed above(on, in a down clue) STATE(a nation).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: I should have talent in booze up? (9)	### Answer: BARTENDER ### Explanation: Definition: I should have talent in booze up Cryptic defn: ART(talent,skill) contained in(in) BENDER(a drinking binge,booze up). A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dire anger could be what makes me a bomb-thrower (9)	### Answer: GRENADIER ### Explanation: Definition: me a bomb-thrower Anagram of(could be what makes) DIRE ANGER. Answer: Formerly meaning a soldier who is a grenade-thrower.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Release kit with no price (3,4)	### Answer: SET FREE ### Explanation: Definition: Release SET(kit) plus(with) FREE(no,zero price)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hot grub's ordered and delivered (7)	### Answer: BROUGHT ### Explanation: Definition: delivered Anagram of(ordered) HOT GRUB.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Some recipe's tomato sauce (5)	### Answer: PESTO ### Explanation: Definition: sauce Hidden in(some) reciPE'S TOmato.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: A young lady's out of order (5)	### Answer: AMISS ### Explanation: Definition: out of order A + MISS(young lady).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: A power-hungry king hesitated to rewrite Sondheim musical (6,2,3,4,4,6)	### Answer: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE ### Explanation: Definition: Sondheim musical Anagram of(to rewrite) A POWER-HUNGRY KING HESITATED. Answer: A Stephen Sondheim (a cryptic crossword buff himself) musical. A clever anagram, but awkward to provide a definition to. Without the writer's name, it would have been too difficult, but with it, the choices are drastically reduced, making it that much easier.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Non-flowering plant found in botanical gardens (4)	### Answer: ALGA ### Explanation: Definition: Non-flowering plant Hidden in(found in) botanicAL GArdens. Answer: One of the earliest and simplest life forms.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: @Giants twittering (2,4)	### Answer: AT SIGN ### Explanation: Definition: @ Anagram of(twittering) GIANTS.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Monarch possibly tracked horse at Barnet's border (8)	### Answer: HAIRLINE ### Explanation: Definition: Barnet's border AIRLINE(an example of which is,possibly British charter and scheduled airline, Monarch, based at Luton Airport) placed after(tracked,followed) H(slang for heroin, another slang for which is horse). Answer: Literally the border of your hair, the rhyming slang for which is Barnet, from Barnet fair.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Perhaps Oliver takes charge of meeting in which one's in danger of losing one's seat (7,6)	### Answer: MUSICAL CHAIRS ### Explanation: Definition: which one's in danger of losing one's seat MUSICAL(an example of which is,perhaps Oliver) + CHAIRS(takes charge of meeting). Answer: The children's game. And adults too play a form of it when low rankers have to give up the preferred seats as at a meeting, as suggested by the surface.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sort of cinema seat that engulfs you (3,5)	### Answer: ART HOUSE ### Explanation: Definition: Sort of cinema ARSE(ass if you're American,that part of your anatomy that you sit on,seat) containing(that engulfs) THOU(you, in the past). Answer: A sort of cinema that shows arty films.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Good start for game (6)	### Answer: GROUSE ### Explanation: Definition: game G(abbrev. for $$g$$ood) + ROUSE(to cause game to start,come out of its lair). Answer: Favourite game birds of hunters. A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Computer tycoon no longer providing employment (4)	### Answer: JOBS ### Explanation: Definition: Computer tycoon no longer,employment Double defn: 1st: The late,no longer Steve, who became a tycoon after co-founding Apple. Smooth surface.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Is it used to make goat's cheese? (10)	### Answer: BUTTERMILK ### Explanation: Definition: Is it used to make goat's cheese? Cryptic defn: Milk is the raw material for cheese, and that from a goat,a butter, may be used to make goat's cheese? And the answer is no.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: May Stallone nude performance be making of Lloyd Webber musical (4,2,2,1,6)	### Answer: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY ### Explanation: Definition: Lloyd Webber musical Anagram of(be making of) MAY STALLONE NUDE. Not sure whether "performance" is necessary. "May nude Stallone be…" could do just as well. Answer: A lesser known Lloyd Webber musical. A similar comment as 6,9 about the clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: First to support novice artist (6)	### Answer: CUBIST ### Explanation: Definition: artist IST(looks like 1st,first with I,Roman numeral for 1) placed below(to support, in a down clue) CUB(novice, as in a cub reporter, scout, etc.). Answer: An artist of the school that reduces natural forms and their relationships to their geometrical shapes and planes.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Heraldic beast getting first of wizards terribly nervy (6)	### Answer: WYVERN ### Explanation: Definition: Heraldic beast W(first letter of "wizards") + anagram of(terribly) NERVY
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Embarrassed humble character is protected by mum (8)	### Answer: SHEEPISH ### Explanation: Definition: Embarrassed [HEEP(Uriah, the character in Dickens's David Copperfield, one noted for his cloying humility, toadying and insincerity, and making frequent references to his humbleness) + IS] contained in(protected by) SH!(imperative to hush,be quiet,keep mum).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: What stragglers do when inexperienced among top Scottish football clubs (6)	### Answer: SPRAWL ### Explanation: Definition: What stragglers do RAW(inexperienced) contained in(among) SPL(abbrev. for the Scottish Premier League in football)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bandits set up in groups (8)	### Answer: BRIGANDS ### Explanation: Definition: Bandits RIG(to set up,put together) contained in(in) BANDS(groups).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Surrealist artist apprehending hearts as flowers (7)	### Answer: DAHLIAS ### Explanation: Definition: flowers [DALI(Salvador, surrealist artist) containing(apprehending) H(abbrev. for the suit hearts, as in bridge notation)] + AS.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Prime minister completely supported by the Queen, not going up to Yorkshire town (13)	### Answer: NORTHALLERTON ### Explanation: Definition: Yorkshire town [NORTH(Lord Frederick, former prime minister of GB) + ALL(completely)] placed above(supported by, in a down clue) [ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina,the Queen) + reversal of(going up, in a down clue) NOT].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Very enthusiastic about England footballer with unknown deficiency being abandoned (8)	### Answer: MAROONED ### Explanation: Definition: abandoned MAD(very enthusiastic about/over) containing(about) ROONE{"Rooney"(Wayne, England footballer) minus(with … deficiency) "y"(one of the symbols in maths for an unknown quantity, overshadowed by its sibling, "x")}.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fatter fish on stand of late (8)	### Answer: CHUBBIER ### Explanation: Definition: Fatter CHUB(a common freshwater fish) placed above(on, in a down clue) BIER(frame,stand on which the dead,late – or coffin – is laid before burial).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Comic book character might be Female, cryptically (4,3)	### Answer: IRON MAN ### Explanation: Definition: Comic book character IRON(element whose chemical symbol is "fe"-) + MAN(-"male") with "female" cryptically split.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sleuth involved in confidence trick (6)	### Answer: HUSTLE ### Explanation: Definition: confidence trick Anagram of(involved in) SLEUTH.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pleasant-sounding rock (6)	### Answer: GNEISS ### Explanation: Definition: rock Homophone of(sounding) "nice". Answer: Mineral rock that has metamorphised, resulting in a banded appearance.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mother unfortunately got up a salutation (6)	### Answer: SALAAM ### Explanation: Definition: a salutation Reversal of(got up, in a down clue) [MA(mother) + ALAS(unfortunately,sadly)]. Answer: An Arabic greeting,salutation meaning "peace".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: European outlaw stealing in, thus laid back (7)	### Answer: BOSNIAN ### Explanation: Definition: European BAN(to outlaw) containing(stealing) reversal of(laid back) [IN + SO(thus,hence)].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: across Jack cut through pegleg, or fixed the 23 problem? (7,6)	### Answer: JOGGER’S NIPPLE ### Explanation: Definition: 23 problem J(abbrev. for Jack, as in playing card notation) + [SNIP(to cut) *contained in(through) anagram of*(fixed) PEGLEG, OR ]. Answer: A 23across(which answer is "running") problem,sore nipples caused byconstant rubbing against the shirt, especially if made of cotton, while running. To prevent, Wiki advises "run shirtless whenever the law permits".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Party girl has to crash after 5.30? (6,4)	### Answer: FIANNA FAIL ### Explanation: Definition: Party [ANNA(girl's name) plus(has) FAIL(to crash)] placed after(after) FI(as time of day, 5.30 = half past five = half five = "fi",half its letters). Though in some other languages, half of six (or its equivalent) = 5.30. Answer: Irish political party. I took a long time trying to parse "vienna ball", having perfunctorily rejected political party because I couldn't think of such a party fitting the checking letters Until, I thought "think non-English – Irish". My COD for the clever device.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Redistribution of 1/10 for workers in the field? (4)	### Answer: OXEN ### Explanation: Definition: workers in the field? Anagram of(redistribution of) ONE(1)/X(Roman numeral for 10). Answer: Animal workers, perhaps,? in the field.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Legally check sauce, opening at the back (5)	### Answer: ESTOP ### Explanation: Definition: Legally check "pesto"(an Italian sauce) with opening letter, "p", placed at the back. Answer: A legal term for preventing(checking) by estoppel, something you need a lawyer, not me, to explain to you.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Setter recalled club almost bandaging left arm (8)	### Answer: EMBATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: arm Reversal of(recalled) ME(the setter, in contrast to you, the solvers) + [BATTE{"batter"(to club,beat repeatedly or hard) minus its last letter(almost)} containing(bandaging) L(abbrev. for $$l$$eft hand)]. Answer: Verb, to prepare for battle,arm.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bitterness with which a friend welcomes single male (8)	### Answer: ACRIMONY ### Explanation: Definition: Bitterness A + {CRONY(a close friend) containing(welcomes) [I(Roman numeral for 1,single) + M(abbrev. for $$m$$ale)]}.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Like a bird, perhaps, to be conceited (5)	### Answer: COCKY ### Explanation: Definition: conceited Whimsical,perhaps way of saying like a cock(bird) by adding the suffix –y. Answer: As the saying goes: "Man who swaggers around with hands in pockets is feeling cocky."
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Four notes – though not picking them up? (4)	### Answer: DEAF ### Explanation: Definition: not picking them up D,E,A,F(four notes out of the diatonic musical scale).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Old actress having tempestuous rage with Bogart (5,5)	### Answer: GRETA GARBO ### Explanation: Definition: Old actress Anagram of(tempestuous) [RAGE plus(with) BOGART]. Answer: Shouldn't that be the late actress (or actress of old)?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Managing pain, needle required for it (7,6)	### Answer: RUNNING STITCH ### Explanation: Definition: needle required for it RUNNING(managing, say a business) + STITCH(a sudden sharp pain in the side of the body, viz. the ribs, which can be caused by, well, running). Answer: A basic type of sewing stitch.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Minister did you say? Come again? (7)	### Answer: REVISIT ### Explanation: Definition: Come again REV(informal address for a member of the clergy,minister) + IS IT?(something one might say to someone to confirm what he/she has said,did you say….?). Answer: As one might also say "Come again" instead of "Is it?/Did you say…", this is a WIWD(wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hard time with Inland Revenue turning over capital (6)	### Answer: RIYADH ### Explanation: Definition: capital Reversal of(turning over) [H(abbrev. for $$h$$ard) + DAY(a period of time) plus(with) IR(abbrev. for $$I$$nland $$R$$evenue)]. Answer: Capital city of Saudi Arabia.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Worn out, ate, grabbing some sun (6)	### Answer: FRAYED ### Explanation: Definition: Worn out FED(having eaten,ate) containing(grabbing) RAY(one of sunlight,some sun). Down :
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Biblical woman from Messina omitted (5)	### Answer: NAOMI ### Explanation: Definition: Biblical woman Hidden in(from) messiNA OMItted.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Seed in the air shot up (4,3)	### Answer: PINE NUT ### Explanation: Definition: Seed Reversal of(up, in a down clue) [TUNE(an air,song) + NIP(a small quantity,a shot of undiluted liquor)].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dog has a parting drink thus (5,4)	### Answer: LHASA APSO ### Explanation: Definition: Dog [HAS A] contained in(parting) [LAP(to drink, as a dog would, with its tongue) + SO(thus,hence – its second appearance here)].
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Giant turtle's head on bread (5)	### Answer: TROLL ### Explanation: Definition: Giant T(initial letter,head of "turtle") *plus above*(on, in a down clue) ROLL(a piece of bread). Answer: They come in two sizes, giant or dwarf.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Tower Bridge initially smothered in butter, half of tuna on top! (7)	### Answer: TUGBOAT ### Explanation: Definition: Tower TU(half of the letters of "tuna") *placed above(on top, in a down clue) [B(initial letter,initially of "Bridge") contained in*(smothered in) GOAT(an animal that likes to butt,a butter)]. Answer: A tower (and sometimes pusher) of ships. Nice misdirection; another favourite.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Shenanigans, fooling around with a holy person? That's not on! (9)	### Answer: HORSEPLAY ### Explanation: Definition: Shenanigans Anagram of(fooling around with) [A HOLY PERS{"a holy person" minus(that's not) "on"}]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Rescuer swimming fast around eastern river (6-3)	### Answer: SAFETY-NET ### Explanation: Definition: Rescuer Anagram of(swimming) FAST containing(around) [E($$e$$astern) + TYNE(river in NE England)]. Answer: Well, a sort of passive rescuer..
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Queen admitting lines crossed over order for treasury (9)	### Answer: EXCHEQUER ### Explanation: Definition: treasury ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina, the Queen) containing(admitting) [X(lines crossed) placed above(over, in a down clue) CHEQUE(an order on paper for the bank to pay the payee).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bronco just down the road, say, for pirate (9)	### Answer: BUCCANEER ### Explanation: Definition: pirate Homophone of(say) "bucker"(a horse that bucks, which a bronco, a wild or only partially broken horse is apt to do) + "near"(just down the road from one). I don't know whether this is a perfect homophone (very few of those I think, strictly speaking 🙂 ) and whether there's going to be a discussion similar to the one in yesterday's Guardian Cryptic – hopefully not. Answer: This appeared in last Tuesday's FT, and, as I often have this deja vu, I sometimes wonder if there isn't an unseen hand placing crosswords with same/similar clues/answers within any 7-day period (editors' perhaps?).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Trendy, like youth (7)	### Answer: INFANCY ### Explanation: Definition: youth IN(trendy, as in the "in thing") + FANCY(like,wish to/for). Answer: One usually associates infancy with babies (as in "infants are not allowed in the theatre"), but no – it also means the period when you're still a minor in the eyes of the law, ranging from 14 years in Armenia to 21, with most countries including UK (except Scotland) stipulating it at 18, covering the youthful years.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Disengagement of military unit (10)

### Answer: DETACHMENT ### Explanation: Definition: Disengagement,military unit Double defn: 1st: Separation from; and 2nd: A body of troops or ships,military unit that have been sent out to be stationed away from the main force or fleet.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Drink when in adversity (4)

### Answer: DOWN ### Explanation: Definition: Drink,when in adversity Double defn: 1st: Drink quickly or in one gulp; and 2nd: Descriptive of one experiencing adverse conditions, eg. being down in a match, or down on the ground, or being down in the dumps.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Litter container (6)

### Answer: PIGSTY ### Explanation: Definition: Litter container Cryptic defn: An enclosure,container for a litter of pigs. Cryptic to the extent that the more usual meaning is of a wastebin or suchlike.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Monopolised the market, but put in a difficult position (8)

### Answer: CORNERED ### Explanation: Definition: Monopolised the market,put in a difficult position Double defn: 1st: For a seller, gained practically 100% of the market share, so that one is able monopolise it; and 2nd: At the same time, put all the other sellers in a corner,a difficult position to get out of from – from the literal sense of being in a corner, worse than having your back to the wall.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: It's OK if one wants an abbreviation (8)

### Answer: OKLAHOMA ### Explanation: Definition: It's OK if one wants an abbreviation Cryptic defn: Refers to the US state of Oklahoma, whose abbreviation, if one wants it, is "OK".

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Attacks a pop group (6)

### Answer: STONES ### Explanation: Definition: Attacks,pop group Double defn: 2nd: The Rolling, those septuagenarian rockers.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Sticking together, he said no changes are needed (8)

### Answer: ADHESION ### Explanation: Definition: Sticking together **Anagram of**(changes are needed) HE SAID NO. Defn: As a noun.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Dreads writhing snakes (6)

### Answer: ADDERS ### Explanation: Definition: snakes **Anagram of**(writhing) DREADS.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: An illustration no longer big enough (7)

### Answer: EXAMPLE ### Explanation: Definition: An illustration EX-(prefix signifying no longer, as with "ex-wife") + AMPLE(big,large enough).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Constituent is firm member and one not without heart (9)

### Answer: COMPONENT ### Explanation: Definition: Constituent CO(abbrev. for "company",firm) + MP(Member of Parliament) **plus**(and) ONE + NT{"not" **minus**(without) "o", its middle letter,heart}.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Service lecture (6)

### Answer: SERMON ### Explanation: Definition: Service lecture Cryptic defn: A lecture one listens to during a church service.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: It could contain jam, but is certainly not jammed (4)

### Answer: AJAR ### Explanation: Definition: not jammed A JAR could contain jam. Answer: If a door is ajar, then it is not jammed shut (how about jammed open? That sometimes happens when the floor is not even, and the door has slightly shifted.)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: 100% agreement, and no mistake! (3,5)

### Answer: ALL RIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: 100% agreement,no mistake Double defn: 1st: What you'd say in response to someone when you agree with what he's said.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: One ounce at first may be bracing (5)

### Answer: OZONE ### Explanation: Definition: may be bracing OZ(abbrev. for ounce weight) **placed before**(at first) ONE. Answer: The British Victorian folk myth was that the characteristic smell of the sea, carried by the breeze, was "bracing" and that the smell was due to ozone. Wrong on both counts – the smell is due to dimethyl suphide, a compound formed by phytoplankton, and which is toxic in high concentrations. As is ozone, nasty stuff but very useful in preventing ultraviolet rays from space from reaching plants and animals.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Compensate for being out of line? (7)

### Answer: REDRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Compensate Cryptic defn: To re-dress is to re-straighten a line, say, of soldiers, that has become crooked,out of line. To redress is to compensate,provide relief for a wrong or injury.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Applies preservatives – a typical measure cooking lambs (7)

### Answer: EMBALMS ### Explanation: Definition: Applies preservatives EM{a unit of measurement in printing type, originally from the space occupied by the letter "M", and whimsically described as typical, or "typ(e)-ical"} + **anagram of**(cooking) LAMBS. Nice surface, anyone for preserved lamb?

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Fellow supporting Judah's son continuously (2,3,2)

### Answer: ON AND ON ### Explanation: Definition: continuously DON(fellow,master at a learning institution) **placed below**(supporting, in a down clue) ONAN(the biblical Judah's second son, famed for having onanism named after him – because he "spilled his seed on the ground").

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Ordering a trip to see a border river (3,6)

### Answer: RIO GRANDE ### Explanation: Definition: a border river **Anagram of**(trip) ORDERING A. Cleverly disguised anagram indicator and fodder. Answer: The river that partially flows on the border between USA (Texas) and Mexico.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Stops for drinks (8)

### Answer: SCOTCHES ### Explanation: Definition: Stops,drinks Double defn.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: For certificate see master after swim (7)

### Answer: DIPLOMA ### Explanation: Definition: certificate [LO(see, as in "lo and behold") + MA(abbrev. for $$M$$aster of $$A$$rts)] **placed below**(after, in a down clue) DIP(a swim in the sea).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: It sounds bad lacking love – but they're in the pink! (7)

### Answer: NUDISTS ### Explanation: Definition: they're in the pink **Anagram of**(bad) [IT SUNDS]{"it sounds" **minus**(lacking) "o"(looks like zero,nil,love in tennis scores)}. Defn. and Answer: Figuratively, "in the pink" means "to be healthy"(cf. in the pink of health), from which one concludes, rightly or wrongly, that being a nudist keeps you healthy, or if you're unhealthy you can't be a nudist. Or it could literally be the colour you become when you go around nude – I know, English newspaper (printed on pink paper too)! 🙂

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: University man gets married (6)

### Answer: UNITED ### Explanation: Definition: married UNI(short for university) + TED(a man's name).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Yank going up to church in the valley (5)

### Answer: GULCH ### Explanation: Definition: valley **Reversal of**(going up, in a down clue) LUG(yank,pull) **plus**(to) CH(abbrev. for church building). Answer: American term for a narrow river cut by a fast stream,a sort of valley. Often mentioned in tales of the Wild Wild West.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Short of ammunition (4)

### Answer: AMMO ### Explanation: Definition: Short of ammunition Cryptic defn: Short for ammunition. Cryptic to the extent that "short of ammunition" usually means you've run out of bullets, and suchlike. Edit.note: Answer for picture 3 . Other answers in comments below.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Trim Christmas tree, perhaps (6)

### Answer: SPRUCE ### Explanation: Definition: Trim,Christmas tree, perhaps Double defn: 1st: Trim,neat in dress or appearance; and 2nd: A conifer that could,perhaps be used as a Christmas tree. Nice surface of 2 things one can do to a Christmas tree, "trim" being a Janus (two-faced) word meaning to add trimmings,ornaments,etc. and to remove surplus material to make it look neat.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Unknown barge sailing for Croatian city (6)

### Answer: ZAGREB ### Explanation: Definition: Croatian city Z(symbol in maths for an unknown quantity) + **anagram of**(sailing) BARGE.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Tradesman's soft wood (7)

### Answer: PLUMBER ### Explanation: Definition: Tradesman P(abbrev. for piano,musical instruction to play softly) + LUMBER(cut pieces of wood)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Queen is playing during a spring month (7)

### Answer: MONARCH ### Explanation: Definition: Queen ON(is playing, as in "what's on at the Palladium?") **contained in**(during) MARCH(a month during the spring season)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Crazily it arrived around ten with a cabby (10)

### Answer: TAXIDRIVER ### Explanation: Definition: a cabby **Anagram of**(crazily) IT ARRIVED **containing**(around) X(Roman numeral for ten).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Marks cut over test (4)

### Answer: EXAM ### Explanation: Definition: test **Reversal of**(over) [M(abbrev. for "marks") + AXE(to cut,hew)]

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: European beast nearly got its teeth into lad (5)

### Answer: BISON ### Explanation: Definition: European beast BI{"bit"(got its teeth into) **minus** its last letter(nearly)} + SON(lad). Answer: An ox-like beast found in Europe, distinguishable from the related American bison, which the Americans also call buffalo. Interesting trivia: they may not look it, but they're good swimmers.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Notice book in catalogue (8)

### Answer: REGISTER ### Explanation: Definition: Notice,book,catalogue Triple defn: 1st: To notice,register in one's conscience; and 2nd: A book in which records are kept; and 3rd: A list of items as in a catalogue. This could very well be a double defn. instead, with 2 and 3 above combined, as a verbal phrase.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Hustlers kissed loudly causing a scene (8)

### Answer: PROSPECT ### Explanation: Definition: scene PROS(short for prostitutes,hustlers,the oldest professionals, with apologies to other professionals, also called pros) + PECT{**homophone of**(loudly) "pecked"(kissed in a quick impersonal way)}. An interesting surface image, though I imagine there could be more intense scenes than pecking.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: A bit of Camembert is what causes a warm glow (5)

### Answer: EMBER ### Explanation: Definition: what causes a warm glow **Hidden in**(a bit of) camEMBERt.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Gathered round a grub, say (4)

### Answer: MEAT ### Explanation: Definition: grub, say MET(gathered) **containing**(round) A. Answer: An example,say of food,grub in slang.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Aargh, typo's spoilt my theorem (10)

### Answer: PYTHAGORAS ### Explanation: Definition: my theorem **Anagram of**(spoilt) AARGH, TYPO'S. Answer: Of Samos, to be more precise, the ancient Greek mathematician, philosopher and founder of a religious movement, after whom that famous theorem is named – there is some evidence that knowledge of it predates him. Another trivia: This theorem has more proofs than any other mathematical theorem.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Deal with a daughter and a mini, say (7)

### Answer: ADDRESS ### Explanation: Definition: Deal with A + D(abbrev. for $$d$$aughter) **plus**(and) DRESS(an example of which,say, is the "mini" which first appeared and was popular in the 60s).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Turn the cheek in front of threatening wayfarer (7)

### Answer: PILGRIM ### Explanation: Definition: wayfarer **Reversal of**(turn) LIP(impudence,cheek) **placed before**(in front of) GRIM(threatening,doesn't look good, as in "things could look grim this winter").

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: South African animal knocking over a drink with approval (6)

### Answer: REEBOK ### Explanation: Definition: South African animal **Reversal of**(knocking over) BEER(a drink) **plus**(with) OK(the okay,approval). Answer: A South African antelope, from Afrikaans from Dutch for "roebuck". The animal's association with speed inspired the naming of that line of running shoes.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Wife services pens (6)

### Answer: WRITES ### Explanation: Definition: pens W(abbrev. for $$w$$ife) + RITES(services,ceremonies, usually religious). Answer: As a verb.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: This could be hot dance (5)

### Answer: SALSA ### Explanation: Definition: This could be hot,dance Double defn: 1st: The hot sauce in Mexican cuisine, containing chillies; and 2nd: The lively vigorous dance originating from Puerto Rico. Nice surface as the dance can also be described as hot –

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Stays behind and engineers gas pipes? (7)

### Answer: REMAINS ### Explanation: Definition: Stays behind RE(abbrev. for the $$R$$oyal $$E$$ngineers) + MAINS(the system of pipes, or its principal pipe, through which eg. gas or water, is distributed to households)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Mixed cereal can cause an evacuation (9)

### Answer: CLEARANCE ### Explanation: Definition: evacuation **Anagram of**(mixed) CEREAL CAN. Think of this when you're next having breakfast. 🙂

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Romance is what protects when resistance is laid low (5)

### Answer: AMOUR ### Explanation: Definition: Romance "armour"(what protects) **minus**(when … is laid low) "r"(in physics, the symbol for electrical resistance).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Senior lecturers could be cheaters (7)

### Answer: READERS ### Explanation: Definition: Senior lecturers,cheaters Double defn: 1st: At a university or other institution of higher learning; and 2nd: Playing cards that are covertly marked on their reverse sides to indicate the suit or denomination, things to cheat with or cheaters.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Pirate with a pair of 1 earrings, we hear (9)

### Answer: BUCCANEER ### Explanation: Definition: Pirate **Homophone of**(we hear) (with a) "buck"($1 in American slang) "an ear" – whimsical desciption of one sporting a pair of $1 earrings. Answer: It sounds more like "buck a near" to me though. But nice surface.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Exaggerate ancient history on nation (9)

### Answer: OVERSTATE ### Explanation: Definition: Exaggerate OVER(and done with,ancient history) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) STATE(a nation).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: I should have talent in booze up? (9)

### Answer: BARTENDER ### Explanation: Definition: I should have talent in booze up Cryptic defn: ART(talent,skill) **contained in**(in) BENDER(a drinking binge,booze up). A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Dire anger could be what makes me a bomb-thrower (9)

### Answer: GRENADIER ### Explanation: Definition: me a bomb-thrower **Anagram of**(could be what makes) DIRE ANGER. Answer: Formerly meaning a soldier who is a grenade-thrower.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Release kit with no price (3,4)

### Answer: SET FREE ### Explanation: Definition: Release SET(kit) **plus**(with) FREE(no,zero price)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Hot grub's ordered and delivered (7)

### Answer: BROUGHT ### Explanation: Definition: delivered **Anagram of**(ordered) HOT GRUB.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Some recipe's tomato sauce (5)

### Answer: PESTO ### Explanation: Definition: sauce **Hidden in**(some) reciPE'S TOmato.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: A young lady's out of order (5)

### Answer: AMISS ### Explanation: Definition: out of order A + MISS(young lady).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: A power-hungry king hesitated to rewrite Sondheim musical (6,2,3,4,4,6)

### Answer: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE ### Explanation: Definition: Sondheim musical **Anagram of**(to rewrite) A POWER-HUNGRY KING HESITATED. Answer: A Stephen Sondheim (a cryptic crossword buff himself) musical. A clever anagram, but awkward to provide a definition to. Without the writer's name, it would have been too difficult, but with it, the choices are drastically reduced, making it that much easier.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Non-flowering plant found in botanical gardens (4)

### Answer: ALGA ### Explanation: Definition: Non-flowering plant **Hidden in**(found in) botanicAL GArdens. Answer: One of the earliest and simplest life forms.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: @Giants twittering (2,4)

### Answer: AT SIGN ### Explanation: Definition: @ **Anagram of**(twittering) GIANTS.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Monarch possibly tracked horse at Barnet's border (8)

### Answer: HAIRLINE ### Explanation: Definition: Barnet's border AIRLINE(an example of which is,possibly British charter and scheduled airline, Monarch, based at Luton Airport) **placed after**(tracked,followed) H(slang for heroin, another slang for which is horse). Answer: Literally the border of your hair, the rhyming slang for which is Barnet, from Barnet fair.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Perhaps Oliver takes charge of meeting in which one's in danger of losing one's seat (7,6)

### Answer: MUSICAL CHAIRS ### Explanation: Definition: which one's in danger of losing one's seat MUSICAL(an example of which is,perhaps Oliver) + CHAIRS(takes charge of meeting). Answer: The children's game. And adults too play a form of it when low rankers have to give up the preferred seats as at a meeting, as suggested by the surface.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Sort of cinema seat that engulfs you (3,5)

### Answer: ART HOUSE ### Explanation: Definition: Sort of cinema ARSE(ass if you're American,that part of your anatomy that you sit on,seat) **containing**(that engulfs) THOU(you, in the past). Answer: A sort of cinema that shows arty films.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Good start for game (6)

### Answer: GROUSE ### Explanation: Definition: game G(abbrev. for $$g$$ood) + ROUSE(to cause game to start,come out of its lair). Answer: Favourite game birds of hunters. A WIWD (wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Computer tycoon no longer providing employment (4)

### Answer: JOBS ### Explanation: Definition: Computer tycoon no longer,employment Double defn: 1st: The late,no longer Steve, who became a tycoon after co-founding Apple. Smooth surface.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Is it used to make goat's cheese? (10)

### Answer: BUTTERMILK ### Explanation: Definition: Is it used to make goat's cheese? Cryptic defn: Milk is the raw material for cheese, and that from a goat,a butter, may be used to make goat's cheese? And the answer is no.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: May Stallone nude performance be making of Lloyd Webber musical (4,2,2,1,6)

### Answer: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY ### Explanation: Definition: Lloyd Webber musical **Anagram of**(be making of) MAY STALLONE NUDE. Not sure whether "performance" is necessary. "May nude Stallone be…" could do just as well. Answer: A lesser known Lloyd Webber musical. A similar comment as 6,9 about the clue.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: First to support novice artist (6)

### Answer: CUBIST ### Explanation: Definition: artist IST(looks like 1st,first with I,Roman numeral for 1) **placed below**(to support, in a down clue) CUB(novice, as in a cub reporter, scout, etc.). Answer: An artist of the school that reduces natural forms and their relationships to their geometrical shapes and planes.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Heraldic beast getting first of wizards terribly nervy (6)

### Answer: WYVERN ### Explanation: Definition: Heraldic beast W(first letter of "wizards") + **anagram of**(terribly) NERVY

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Embarrassed humble character is protected by mum (8)

### Answer: SHEEPISH ### Explanation: Definition: Embarrassed [HEEP(Uriah, the character in Dickens's David Copperfield, one noted for his cloying humility, toadying and insincerity, and making frequent references to his humbleness) + IS] **contained in**(protected by) SH!(imperative to hush,be quiet,keep mum).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: What stragglers do when inexperienced among top Scottish football clubs (6)

### Answer: SPRAWL ### Explanation: Definition: What stragglers do RAW(inexperienced) **contained in**(among) SPL(abbrev. for the Scottish Premier League in football)

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Bandits set up in groups (8)

### Answer: BRIGANDS ### Explanation: Definition: Bandits RIG(to set up,put together) **contained in**(in) BANDS(groups).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Surrealist artist apprehending hearts as flowers (7)

### Answer: DAHLIAS ### Explanation: Definition: flowers [DALI(Salvador, surrealist artist) **containing**(apprehending) H(abbrev. for the suit hearts, as in bridge notation)] + AS.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Prime minister completely supported by the Queen, not going up to Yorkshire town (13)

### Answer: NORTHALLERTON ### Explanation: Definition: Yorkshire town [NORTH(Lord Frederick, former prime minister of GB) + ALL(completely)] **placed above**(supported by, in a down clue) [ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina,the Queen) + **reversal of**(going up, in a down clue) NOT].

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Very enthusiastic about England footballer with unknown deficiency being abandoned (8)

### Answer: MAROONED ### Explanation: Definition: abandoned MAD(very enthusiastic about/over) **containing**(about) ROONE{"Rooney"(Wayne, England footballer) **minus**(with … deficiency) "y"(one of the symbols in maths for an unknown quantity, overshadowed by its sibling, "x")}.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Fatter fish on stand of late (8)

### Answer: CHUBBIER ### Explanation: Definition: Fatter CHUB(a common freshwater fish) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) BIER(frame,stand on which the dead,late – or coffin – is laid before burial).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Comic book character might be Female, cryptically (4,3)

### Answer: IRON MAN ### Explanation: Definition: Comic book character IRON(element whose chemical symbol is "fe"-) + MAN(-"male") with "female" cryptically split.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Sleuth involved in confidence trick (6)

### Answer: HUSTLE ### Explanation: Definition: confidence trick **Anagram of**(involved in) SLEUTH.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Pleasant-sounding rock (6)

### Answer: GNEISS ### Explanation: Definition: rock **Homophone of**(sounding) "nice". Answer: Mineral rock that has metamorphised, resulting in a banded appearance.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Mother unfortunately got up a salutation (6)

### Answer: SALAAM ### Explanation: Definition: a salutation **Reversal of**(got up, in a down clue) [MA(mother) + ALAS(unfortunately,sadly)]. Answer: An Arabic greeting,salutation meaning "peace".

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: European outlaw stealing in, thus laid back (7)

### Answer: BOSNIAN ### Explanation: Definition: European BAN(to outlaw) **containing**(stealing) **reversal of**(laid back) [IN + SO(thus,hence)].

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: across Jack cut through pegleg, or fixed the 23 problem? (7,6)

### Answer: JOGGER’S NIPPLE ### Explanation: Definition: 23 problem J(abbrev. for Jack, as in playing card notation) + [SNIP(to cut) ***contained in***(through) **anagram of**(fixed) PEGLEG, OR ]. Answer: A 23across(which answer is "running") problem,sore nipples caused byconstant rubbing against the shirt, especially if made of cotton, while running. To prevent, Wiki advises "run shirtless whenever the law permits".

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Party girl has to crash after 5.30? (6,4)

### Answer: FIANNA FAIL ### Explanation: Definition: Party [ANNA(girl's name) **plus**(has) FAIL(to crash)] **placed after**(after) FI(as time of day, 5.30 = half past five = half five = "fi",half its letters). Though in some other languages, half of six (or its equivalent) = 5.30. Answer: Irish political party. I took a long time trying to parse "vienna ball", having perfunctorily rejected political party because I couldn't think of such a party fitting the checking letters Until, I thought "think non-English – Irish". My COD for the clever device.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Redistribution of 1/10 for workers in the field? (4)

### Answer: OXEN ### Explanation: Definition: workers in the field? **Anagram of**(redistribution of) ONE(1)/X(Roman numeral for 10). Answer: Animal workers, perhaps,? in the field.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Legally check sauce, opening at the back (5)

### Answer: ESTOP ### Explanation: Definition: Legally check "pesto"(an Italian sauce) with opening letter, "p", placed at the back. Answer: A legal term for preventing(checking) by estoppel, something you need a lawyer, not me, to explain to you.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Setter recalled club almost bandaging left arm (8)

### Answer: EMBATTLE ### Explanation: Definition: arm **Reversal of**(recalled) ME(the setter, in contrast to you, the solvers) + [BATTE{"batter"(to club,beat repeatedly or hard) **minus** its last letter(almost)} **containing**(bandaging) L(abbrev. for $$l$$eft hand)]. Answer: Verb, to prepare for battle,arm.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Bitterness with which a friend welcomes single male (8)

### Answer: ACRIMONY ### Explanation: Definition: Bitterness A + {CRONY(a close friend) **containing**(welcomes) [I(Roman numeral for 1,single) + M(abbrev. for $$m$$ale)]}.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Like a bird, perhaps, to be conceited (5)

### Answer: COCKY ### Explanation: Definition: conceited Whimsical,perhaps way of saying like a cock(bird) by adding the suffix –y. Answer: As the saying goes: "Man who swaggers around with hands in pockets is feeling cocky."

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Four notes – though not picking them up? (4)

### Answer: DEAF ### Explanation: Definition: not picking them up D,E,A,F(four notes out of the diatonic musical scale).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Old actress having tempestuous rage with Bogart (5,5)

### Answer: GRETA GARBO ### Explanation: Definition: Old actress **Anagram of**(tempestuous) [RAGE **plus**(with) BOGART]. Answer: Shouldn't that be the late actress (or actress of old)?

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Managing pain, needle required for it (7,6)

### Answer: RUNNING STITCH ### Explanation: Definition: needle required for it RUNNING(managing, say a business) + STITCH(a sudden sharp pain in the side of the body, viz. the ribs, which can be caused by, well, running). Answer: A basic type of sewing stitch.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Minister did you say? Come again? (7)

### Answer: REVISIT ### Explanation: Definition: Come again REV(informal address for a member of the clergy,minister) + IS IT?(something one might say to someone to confirm what he/she has said,did you say….?). Answer: As one might also say "Come again" instead of "Is it?/Did you say…", this is a WIWD(wordplay intertwined with definition) clue.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Hard time with Inland Revenue turning over capital (6)

### Answer: RIYADH ### Explanation: Definition: capital **Reversal of**(turning over) [H(abbrev. for $$h$$ard) + DAY(a period of time) **plus**(with) IR(abbrev. for $$I$$nland $$R$$evenue)]. Answer: Capital city of Saudi Arabia.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Worn out, ate, grabbing some sun (6)

### Answer: FRAYED ### Explanation: Definition: Worn out FED(having eaten,ate) **containing**(grabbing) RAY(one of sunlight,some sun). **Down** :

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Biblical woman from Messina omitted (5)

### Answer: NAOMI ### Explanation: Definition: Biblical woman **Hidden in**(from) messiNA OMItted.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Seed in the air shot up (4,3)

### Answer: PINE NUT ### Explanation: Definition: Seed **Reversal of**(up, in a down clue) [TUNE(an air,song) + NIP(a small quantity,a shot of undiluted liquor)].

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Dog has a parting drink thus (5,4)

### Answer: LHASA APSO ### Explanation: Definition: Dog [HAS A] **contained in**(parting) [LAP(to drink, as a dog would, with its tongue) + SO(thus,hence – its second appearance here)].

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Giant turtle's head on bread (5)

### Answer: TROLL ### Explanation: Definition: Giant T(initial letter,head of "turtle") ***plus above***(on, in a down clue) ROLL(a piece of bread). Answer: They come in two sizes, giant or dwarf.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Tower Bridge initially smothered in butter, half of tuna on top! (7)

### Answer: TUGBOAT ### Explanation: Definition: Tower TU(half of the letters of "tuna") ***placed above***(on top, in a down clue) [B(initial letter,initially of "Bridge") **contained in**(smothered in) GOAT(an animal that likes to butt,a butter)]. Answer: A tower (and sometimes pusher) of ships. Nice misdirection; another favourite.

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Shenanigans, fooling around with a holy person? That's not on! (9)

### Answer: HORSEPLAY ### Explanation: Definition: Shenanigans **Anagram of**(fooling around with) [A HOLY PERS{"a holy person" **minus**(that's not) "on"}]

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Rescuer swimming fast around eastern river (6-3)

### Answer: SAFETY-NET ### Explanation: Definition: Rescuer **Anagram of**(swimming) FAST **containing**(around) [E($$e$$astern) + TYNE(river in NE England)]. Answer: Well, a sort of passive rescuer..

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Queen admitting lines crossed over order for treasury (9)

### Answer: EXCHEQUER ### Explanation: Definition: treasury ER($$E$$lizabeth $$R$$egina, the Queen) **containing**(admitting) [X(lines crossed) **placed above**(over, in a down clue) CHEQUE(an order on paper for the bank to pay the payee).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Bronco just down the road, say, for pirate (9)

### Answer: BUCCANEER ### Explanation: Definition: pirate **Homophone of**(say) "bucker"(a horse that bucks, which a bronco, a wild or only partially broken horse is apt to do) + "near"(just down the road from one). I don't know whether this is a perfect homophone (very few of those I think, strictly speaking 🙂 ) and whether there's going to be a discussion similar to the one in yesterday's Guardian Cryptic – hopefully not. Answer: This appeared in last Tuesday's FT, and, as I often have this deja vu, I sometimes wonder if there isn't an unseen hand placing crosswords with same/similar clues/answers within any 7-day period (editors' perhaps?).

You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.

### Clue: Trendy, like youth (7)

### Answer: INFANCY ### Explanation: Definition: youth IN(trendy, as in the "in thing") + FANCY(like,wish to/for). Answer: One usually associates infancy with babies (as in "infants are not allowed in the theatre"), but no – it also means the period when you're still a minor in the eyes of the law, ranging from 14 years in Armenia to 21, with most countries including UK (except Scotland) stipulating it at 18, covering the youthful years.