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: State needs humour injection (6)	### Answer: PUNJAB ### Explanation: Definition: State PUN(linguistic humour) + JAB(an injection). Answer: The state in NW India, and also the neighbouring province of Pakistan, a result of the division of the former Punjab province of British India. The name is derived from Sanskrit for "five" and "water".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Katie Price in river (6)	### Answer: JORDAN ### Explanation: Definition: Katie Price,river Double defn: 1st: Pseudonym of the former The Sun's Page Three girl.
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 was leader in bombless state (4)	### Answer: IRAN ### Explanation: Definition: bombless state [I RAN]( I was leader, as in "I ran the country"). Answer: The state with a nuclear programme, and which no one else can tell if it is or is not without a bomb,"bombless "
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Many a Welsh runner in the gloaming (4)	### Answer: DUSK ### Explanation: Definition: the gloaming D(Roman numeral for 500,Many) + USK(Welsh river,runner).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Virgin, perhaps Irish, wearing flared style (7)	### Answer: AIRLINE ### Explanation: Definition: Virgin IR(abbrev. for Irish) contained in(wearing) A-LINE(a cut,style of a dress or skirt which flares from the shoulders or waist down, in the shape of, well, the letter A). Answer: An example of which,perhaps is Virgin Atlantic, founded by Sir Richard Branson.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bumper edition of "Latin for Everyone"? (7)	### Answer: OMNIBUS ### Explanation: Definition: Bumper,Latin for Everyone Double defn: 1st: A collection of works by a single author or several works on a similar topic reprinted in one volume, or even a re-broadcast in one of two or more radio or TV programmes broadcast earlier; and 2nd: Translation into Latin of "for Everyone". As this is also a 10across, the setter could have linked this directly to the theme.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Asian capital hasn't managed to progress (2,2)	### Answer: GO ON ### Explanation: Definition: to progress "Rangoon", former name for Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, formerly Burma, in Asia minus(hasn't) "ran"(managed).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Hit by 2 and 16 across, new Pathfinder got lost crossing river (9,2,7)	### Answer: TRANSPORT OF DELIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Hit by 2 and 16 across Anagram of(new) PATHFINDER GOT LOST containing(crossing) R(abbrev. for river). Answer: A song Hit by Flanders(answer to 2down) and Swann(answer to 16 across). A singing British comic duo.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10 was boss on board (5)	### Answer: SLEDS ### Explanation: Definition: 10 LED(was boss,managed) contained in SS(abbrev. for steamship eg. the SS Titanic) (on board).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Line in religious writing by Hardy that's deleted another line (8)	### Answer: PLIMSOLL ### Explanation: Definition: another line L(abbrev. for "Line") contained in(in) PI(short for pious,religious) + MS(abbrev. for manuscript, a piece of writing) plus(by) OLL[nickname for Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy fame, "Ollie" minus(deleted) "i.e."(abbrev. for that is,that's)]. Answer: The line drawn on a ship's hull to show how low in the water she is allowed to be, ie. the maximum load she can carry.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10s despot's scratching head (4)	### Answer: VANS ### Explanation: Definition: 10s ["Ivan"(the Terrible, Russian despot) + 'S] minus(scratching) its initial letter(head).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Pen name for Proust's hero (5)	### Answer: SWANN ### Explanation: Definition: Proust's hero SWAN(the female of which is a Pen) + N(abbrev. for name). Answer: The hero in "Swann's Way" the first book of French novelist, Marcel Proust's multi-part work "In Search of Lost Time", earlier translated as "Remembrance of Things Past".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10's about right (4)	### Answer: CART ### Explanation: Definition: 10 CA(abbrev. for circa,Latin for about) + RT(abbrev. for right).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Touching a female in Indian dress after game (2,6)	### Answer: ON SAFARI ### Explanation: Definition: after game ON(Touching, as in "his essay was on another subject") + A F(abbrev. for female) contained in(in) SARI(an Indian dress for women). Answer: What you could be on if you're after game, presumably armed with your camera only.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Elizabeth Fry's nursing 10 (5)	### Answer: FERRY ### Explanation: Definition: 10 ER(Elizabeth Regina, the Queen) contained in(…'s nursing) FRY. Elizabeth Fry was an English prison reformer, by the way.
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-striker's first to finish 10s (4)	### Answer: CABS ### Explanation: Definition: 10s "scab"(a Non-striker when others are out) with its initial letter(…'s first) moved to the end,finish of the word.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Kit is able to enter "Come Dancing" (7)	### Answer: MECCANO ### Explanation: Definition: Kit CAN(is able to) contained in(to enter) anagram of(Dancing) "COME". Answer: Trademark name for the children's model construction Kit.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10 dashes round to collect papers (7)	### Answer: SIDECAR ### Explanation: Definition: 10 Reversal of(round) RACES(dashes,in a hurry) containing(to collect) ID(abbrev. for identification papers).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10 put up two million, ignoring banks (4)	### Answer: LIMO ### Explanation: Definition: 10 Reversal of(put up, in a down clue) O MIL["two million" minus(ignoring) its outer letters(banks)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Leader of foreign country regularly rearms in battle zone (8)	### Answer: FLANDERS ### Explanation: Definition: battle zone F(initial letter,Leader of "foreign") + LAND(the country) + E,R,S(the second, fourth sixth letters,regularly of "rearms"). Answer: A battle zone in Belgium in WWI.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Joins Victorian 10s touring province (6)	### Answer: UNITES ### Explanation: Definition: Joins UTES[Australian slang for utility transport(answer to 10) vehicles which may be found in Victoria, the Australian state) containing(touring) NI(abbrev. for Northern Ireland, a province of the UK)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Avoid one in time for discharge (8)	### Answer: EMISSION ### Explanation: Definition: discharge [MISS(to Avoid) + I(Roman numeral for one)] *contained in*(in) EON(a very long period of time). Answer: Eg. what comes out of the back of petrol-burning 10across vehicles.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 7 commanders pistol-whipped (6)	### Answer: PILOTS ### Explanation: Definition: 7 commanders Anagram of(whipped) pistol. Answer: Aircraft captains,commanders in an airline(answer to 7across).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10 set to cross Norway (4)	### Answer: PUNT ### Explanation: Definition: 10 PUT(to place,set) containing(to cross) N(abbrev. for Norway).
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 very quiet part of London's attractive (9)	### Answer: APPEALING ### Explanation: Definition: attractive A + PP(abbrev. for pianissimo,musical instruction to play very quietly) + EALING(a borough,part of London).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lover was injured at home (5)	### Answer: SWAIN ### Explanation: Definition: Lover Anagram of(injured) WAS + IN(at home,not out).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Liberal's sad leader discarded 10 (5)	### Answer: LORRY ### Explanation: Definition: 10 L(abbrev. for Liberal,a member of said political party) + ORRY["sorry"(sad, as in "she was sorry she didn't get the job") minus(discarded) its initial letter(leader)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: 10 understand a scheme's boring (8)	### Answer: SEAPLANE ### Explanation: Definition: 10 SEE(to understand, as in to "see the point of the joke") containing(…'s boring) [A PLAN](a scheme).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: County Clare ordered small 10s (8)	### Answer: CORACLES ### Explanation: Definition: 10s CO(abbrev. for County) + anagram of(ordered) CLARE + S(abbrev. for small).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lincoln nearly escaped so-called 10 (6)	### Answer: ABDUCT ### Explanation: Definition: 10 AB[ "Abe"( Lincoln, US President of long ago) minus its last letter(nearly) +homophone of(so-called) "ducked"(escaped,avoided). Answer: To carry and move off,transport(answer to 10across), illegally.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Jazz pianist's ideal climbing shrub (6)	### Answer: FATSIA ### Explanation: Definition: shrub FATS(Waller, Jazz pianist) + reversal of(climbing) AI(looks like A1, the best,the ideal).
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 up-and-coming Cole Porter entertained 10 (4)	### Answer: OPEL ### Explanation: Definition: 10 Reversal of(up-and-coming, in a down clue) hidden in(… entertained) Cole Porter. Answer: A German make of transport vehicles, mainly cars, and therefore by extension, one of those vehicles.
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 7 runs 10 (4)	### Answer: BEAR ### Explanation: Definition: 10 BEA[abbrev. for British European Airways, a former,Old airline(answer to 7across)] + R(abbrev. for "runs", as in cricket). Apt surface. Answer: To carry and transport.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nationality of drunk holding prow of canoe (8)	### Answer: SCOTTISH ### Explanation: Definition: Nationality SOTTISH(drunk, as an adjective, and for once not as an anagram indicator) containing(holding) C{first letter of(prow of) "canoe"}.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fight against Iceland inter alia (6)	### Answer: RESIST ### Explanation: Definition: Fight against IS(the International Organisation of Standards code for Iceland) contained in REST(inter alia;Latin for amongst other things;within the rest).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: He scratches 20 runs (6)	### Answer: SCORER ### Explanation: Definition: He scratches SCORE(a group or set of twenty items) + R(abbrev. for "runs" in cricket notation). Answer: One who makes a score;a scratch mark.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Manage a match in mini perhaps (8)	### Answer: RUNABOUT ### Explanation: Definition: mini perhaps RUN(to manage, say, an organisation) + A + BOUT(a match, especially in boxing). Answer: A small vehicle, especially one for running about in town;a minicar perhaps, or even a Mini.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: That mad London lecturer quit after cool event (10)	### Answer: HEPTATHLON ### Explanation: Definition: event [Anagram of(mad) "THAT " + LON{"London" minus(… quit) "don"(a lecturer in a university)}] placed after(after) HEP(cool;trendy;forerunner of "hip").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Joe returned in a couple of hours for jump (4)	### Answer: HIGH ### Explanation: Definition: jump Reversal of(returned) GI(Joe, a personification of the American soldier) contained in(in) H,H(a couple of the abbrev. for "hours"). Answer: A field event in the jumping category.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: In middle of winter a bronze for swimming? (6)	### Answer: NATANT ### Explanation: Definition: swimming NT(the middle letters of "winter") containing(in …) [ A + TAN(the bronze colour)]. Defn. and Answer: As adjectives.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Takes in females clearing barrier (8)	### Answer: SWALLOWS ### Explanation: Definition: Takes in SOWS(adult female of swine or other animals) containing(clearing) WALL(a barrier).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Range had seen changes after terrible start (3,5)	### Answer: THE ANDES ### Explanation: Definition: Range Anagram of(changes) HAD SEEN pf(after) T{initial letter of(… start) "terrible"}. Answer: The South American mountain range.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Female's covering a short distance in event (6)	### Answer: HAMMER ### Explanation: Definition: event HER(possessive pronoun for a female;female's) containing(covering)[ A + MM(abbrev. for millimetre, a very short distance indeed)]. And here's the
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Briton's last to break record in jump (4)	### Answer: LONG ### Explanation: Definition: jump N{ last letter of(…'s last) "Briton"} contained in(to break) LOG(a record of events, etc.). Answer: Another field event in the jumping category.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Medal winners greatly value old arena (5,5)	### Answer: PRIZE LIST ### Explanation: Definition: Medal winners PRIZE(to greatly value) + LISTS(the arena for competitive events, like the jousts, in olden days). Answer: Not the list of prizes, but of those who have won.
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 venue's choice of brothels in Kingsway (8)	### Answer: HELSINKI ### Explanation: Definition: Old venue Hidden in(choice of) brotHELS IN KIngsway.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: No information on private parts of Roman's home (6)	### Answer: ITALIA ### Explanation: Definition: Roman's home "genitalia"(the private reproductive parts of animals) minus(no) "gen"(information). Answer: What a Roman would call his home country.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Debate truncated event (6)	### Answer: DISCUS ### Explanation: Definition: event "discuss" minus its last letter(… truncated). Answer: A field event in the throwing category, dating back to the ancient Greeks.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Greenhorns try what 20 competitor does (8)	### Answer: GOSLINGS ### Explanation: Definition: Greenhorns GO(an attempt;a try at a game, as in "go ahead, have a go") + SLINGS{what the hammer(answer to 20across) thrower does}. Answer: Young inexperienced persons. If they don't learn, then they'll grow up to be geese. **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: Children etc play freely within velodrome track (5,4)	### Answer: CYCLE PATH ### Explanation: Definition: velodrome track CH(abbrev. for "children") containing(… within) anagram of(freely) ETC PLAY.
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 brief argument during racing event card (5)	### Answer: TAROT ### Explanation: Definition: card A + RO{"row"(an argument) minus its last letter(brief)} contained in(during) TT(abbrev. for the Tourist Trophy motorcycle racing event held annually on the Isle of Man). Answer: A card from the deck used by fortune tellers and the like to supposedly read your future.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stimulated and watered, with time for golf (9)	### Answer: IRRITATED ### Explanation: Definition: Stimulated "irrigated"(watered) with "t"(abbrev. for "time") replacing(for) "g(the letter denoted by "golf" in the phonetic alphabet).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: So this event dislocates shoulders? (7)	### Answer: HURDLES ### Explanation: Definition: this event ["so" + the answer] is an anagram of(dislocates) "shoulders", or vice versa.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dispute final stages of race (3-2)	### Answer: RUN-IN ### Explanation: Definition: Dispute ,final stages of race 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: Many families wary about wobbly pub chimney (9)	### Answer: SUBPHYLUM ### Explanation: Definition: Many families [SHY(to be wary of, eg. a child in front of strangers) containing(about) anagram of(wobbly) PUB] + LUM(a chimney). Answer: In biology, life forms are ordered by the following classifications: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and lastly Species. In linguistics, a phylum is a category of related languages. In both cases, the subphylum consists of many families.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Star drinks with German, like the 20 (5)	### Answer: SWUNG ### Explanation: Definition: like the 20 [SUN(the star round which the earth revolves) containing(drinks) W(abbrev. for "with")] + G(abbrev. for "German"). Answer: What is done with the hammer(answer to 20across) before being released.
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 left 19 ace floundering to make up number (9)	### Answer: ANALGESIC ### Explanation: Definition: number Anagram of(floundering) ["sailing"(answer to 19across) minus(… left) "i" + ACE]. Answer: A substance, eg. aspirin that relieves pain by numbing;a number.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Regularly helped break top stories in field events (9)	### Answer: ATHLETICS ### Explanation: Definition: field events {H,L,E(1st, 3rd, and 5th letters of (regularly) "helped"} contained in(break) ATTICS(the parts of buildings directly under the roof;the top stories). Answer: Not only field, but also track, events, I thought.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Girls went swimming in event (9)	### Answer: WRESTLING ### Explanation: Definition: event Anagram of(swimming) GIRLS WENT.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Confess having trouble in event (7)	### Answer: SAILING ### Explanation: Definition: event SING(to confess, especially to criminal activities to the police) containing(having) AIL(to trouble, as in "what ails 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: They refer to bottom medal, large one (5)	### Answer: OBELI ### Explanation: Definition: They refer to bottom OBE(abbrev. for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an honour bestowed by the British monarch, which presumably has a medal thrown in as well) + L(abbrev. for "large", as in clothing sizes) +I(Roman numeral for "one"). Answer: Plural of obelus, a variant of which is the dagger sign, †, which is used in text to refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page. By convention, it used for a second footnote, after an asterisk has already been used.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Throws weight around north for kicks (5)	### Answer: PUNTS ### Explanation: Definition: kicks PUTS(throws weight, as in the shot put field event) containing(around) N(abbrev. for "north"). Answer: Where a ball is released and kicked before it touches the ground, used in certain sports, eg. in rugby.
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 Qatari's bad at escaping other Arab (5)	### Answer: IRAQI ### Explanation: Definition: other Arab I(Roman numeral for "one") + anagram of(bad){"Qatari" minus(… escaping) "at"}. Answer: Another Arab besides a Qatari. Answer to pic#1 ; to pic#2
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Around start of October, band grows in ground for winter sport? (12)	### Answer: SNOWBOARDING ### Explanation: O{initial letter of(start of) "October"} contained in(around) anagram of(ground) BAND GROWS IN.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Substance in largely unmixed drink (7)	### Answer: PURPORT ### Explanation: Definition: Substance "pure"(unmixed;unalderated) minus its last letter(largely) + PORT(an alcoholic drink). Defn. and Answer: Nouns for the meaning of speech or writing.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Take off from India and China laden with computers etc (7)	### Answer: IMITATE ### Explanation: Definition: Take off I(abbrev. for "India") plus(and) MATE(whose rhyming slang is "China" from "China plate") containing(laden with) IT(abbrev. for information technology: computers, etc.).
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 statesman protected by dour henchmen from the East (5)	### Answer: NEHRU ### Explanation: Definition: Old statesman Hidden in(protected by) and reversal of(from the East, in an across clue) "dour henchmen". Answer: Jawaharlal, the first Prime Minister of India.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Outfit for a butterfly? (8)	### Answer: SWIMSUIT ### Explanation: Definition: Outfit for a butterfly Cryptic defn: What one wears if doing the butterfly stroke, usually in competitive swimming.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Neat gin mixed with a dash of Drambuie surrounded by tree – a seasonal occasion? (6,3)	### Answer: BOXING DAY ### Explanation: Definition: a seasonal occasion {OX(an example of a neat;a domestic bovine animal) + anagram of(mixed) GIN plus(with) initial letter of(a dash of) "Drambuie} contained in(surrounded by) BAY(a small European evergreen tree, also called the laurel).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Foreign character in split of river (5)	### Answer: DELTA ### Explanation: Definition: Foreign character,split of river Double defn: 1st: Character in the Greek alphabet; and 2nd: Part of the river where it might split into many branches on reaching 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: Magazine feature found during some tennis (5)	### Answer: INSET ### Explanation: Definition: Magazine feature IN(found during) SET(part of a tennis match).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: See a new hotel in island – disreputable source of money? (4,5)	### Answer: LOAN SHARK ### Explanation: Definition: disreputable source of money LO(see, usually in conjunction with "behold") + A + N(abbrev. for "new") + {H(represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet) contained in(in) SARK(a small island that is part of the Channel Islands in the English Channel)}.
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, fine writer confronts a tangle of lies (8)	### Answer: PENALISE ### Explanation: Definition: Perhaps, fine PEN(a writing instrument;writer) plus(confronts) + A + anagram of(tangle of) LIES. Answer: An example;perhaps of which is to impose a fine.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: African city harbouring grand instrument (5)	### Answer: ORGAN ### Explanation: Definition: instrument ORAN(a city in Algeria, on the Mediterranean coast) containing(harbouring) G(abbrev. for a "grand", slang for a thousand, usually dollars or pounds).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Expert on board that is diminutive figure (7)	### Answer: SHORTIE ### Explanation: Definition: diminutive figure Edit.note: Thanks Raich for the shorter explanation. I thought wrongly. ~~Double defn: 1st: (I think) Short for a short seller, one who sells shares that he/she does not have yet in anticipation of a drop in price, in the stock exchange, the metonym of which is "the board" – presumably he/she's got to be expert in it to keep on doing it; and 2nd: a~~ SHORT(Nigel, English chess prodigy, grandmaster at 19, expert on chess board, and of whom I was shamefully ignorant) + IE(that is;Latin id est). Answer: A belittling word for a person of little;diminutive;short figure.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Island athlete once rounding wild fell overlooking lake, hazard in wintry climes? (3,4)	### Answer: ICE FLOE ### Explanation: Definition: hazard in wintry climes I(abbrev. for "island") + COE(Baron Sebastian, an retired English athlete) containing(rounding) anagram of(wild) FEL{"fell" minus(overlooking) "l"}. Answer: A marine hazard in ice-cold regions.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Premier, ex-Labour leader, with a lot of Irish and Scottish celebrants? (5-7)	### Answer: FIRST-FOOTERS ### Explanation: Definition: Scottish celebrants FIRST(premier;foremost) + FOOT(Michael, once leader of the British Labour Party) plus(with) ERS{"Erse", the Irish Gaelic language minus its last letter(a lot of)}. Answer: Celebrants of the Scottish tradition of first-footing. The first person who steps across a home's threshold on New Year's Day (midnight on New Year's Eve) usually brings gifts representing good fortune. In some places, traditionally, the first-footer should be a dark-haired male, females and fair-haired males being regarded as unlucky (?). And of course, all this stepping is followed with a party. 2 Northern man keeping paintings and cross in $$portico$$ (7) NARTHEX : {N(abbrev. for "northern") + HE(pronoun for a man)} containing(keeping) ART(which includes paintings) plus(and) X(alphabetical character for a cross). Answer: The porch;portico;lobby at the entrance to a church furthest from the main altar.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Exciting hunt in wood clearing old literary mystery (9)	### Answer: WHODUNNIT ### Explanation: Definition: literary mystery Anagram of(exciting) "hunt in wood" minus(clearing) "o"(abbrev. for 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: Curse in boathouse (4)	### Answer: OATH ### Explanation: Definition: Curse Hidden in(in) "boathouse".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Maybe one in cutting banter cut short ordinary sort defending West (10)	### Answer: RAILWAYMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Maybe one in cutting RAI{"rail"(if done good naturedly, it's to banter, if not it's to complain bitterly) minus its last letter(cut short) + LAYMAN(a person with no specialised or professional knowledge of a subject;an ordinary sort)} containing(defending) W(abbrev. for "west"). Defn: A reference to a cutting through which the railway runs.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Distinctive speech from old dictator getting award (5)	### Answer: IDIOM ### Explanation: Definition: Distinctive speech IDI(Amin, former dictator of Uganda) plus(getting) OM(the post-nominal letters for one who has been awarded the Order of Merit, by the monarchy). Answer: A vocabulary or style of speaking peculiar to a specific group or subject.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gentle drug a lab, not British, manufactured (7)	### Answer: GRADUAL ### Explanation: Definition: Gentle Anagram of(manufactured) "drug a lab" minus(not) B(abbrev. for "British").
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Period of time in bridge (4)	### Answer: SPAN ### Explanation: Definition: Period of time,bridge Double defn: 1st: As in "the span of recorded history".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Port with provider of funds for arty area (4,4)	### Answer: LEFT BANK ### Explanation: Definition: arty area PORT(the left hand side of a craft, when facing the bow) plus(with) BANK(which might provide you with funds). Answer: The area on the River Seine in Paris where arty people (and tourists) gather.
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 close to a majority? (10)	### Answer: ADOLESCENT ### Explanation: Definition: One close to a majority Cryptic defn: The majority is the state or time of being of legal age to smoke, vote, drink alcohol, get married without parents' consent, etc.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Book by lecturer, mischievous reactionary (8)	### Answer: BLIMPISH ### Explanation: Definition: reactionary B(abbrev. for "book") plus(by) L(abbrev. for "lecturer") + IMPISH(mischievous like an imp). Answer: After Colonel Blimp, the British cartoon character depicting a person, especially a military officer, who is stupidly complacent and reactionary.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Not straightforward or fair person with forged notes (9)	### Answer: DISHONEST ### Explanation: Definition: Not straightforward DISH(a fair person;an especially attractive person) plus(with) anagram of(forged) NOTES.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Gathering for departure complete among very good fellows (7)	### Answer: SENDOFF ### Explanation: Definition: Gathering for departure END(to complete;to finish) contained in(among) SO(very, as in "she's so dishy") + FF(abbrev. for "fellow" x 2). I guess "good" is there for the surface; otherwise it appears superfluous?
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 lot of fear about unusual gun that's stiff (7)	### Answer: ANGULAR ### Explanation: Definition: stiff "alarm"(fear) minus its last letter(a lot of) containing(about) anagram of(unusual) GUN. Answer: Stiff in manner or movement, as opposed to graceful.
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 Californian mayor might serve shortly in future? (5)	### Answer: LATER ### Explanation: Definition: in future LA term{a period in office which an elected mayor from LA(Los Angeles, California) might serve} minus its last letter(shortly).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Requirement to work in bakery, reportedly (4)	### Answer: NEED ### Explanation: Definition: Requirement Hidden in(reportedly) "knead"(manipulate;work dough in a bakery).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Lush piece of Gershwin orchestration (4)	### Answer: WINO ### Explanation: Definition: Lush Hidden in(piece of) "Gershwin orchestration ". Defn. and Answer: Synonyms for a drunkard.
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 visionary project, like the superfortress was? (6,2,3,3)	### Answer: CASTLE IN THE AIR ### Explanation: Definition: A visionary project Cryptic defn: Reference to the B-29 Superfortress bomber that was used, among other missions, to carry out the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – with its name, spelt with a lower case initial, and its usage taken literally. Answer: A daydream, quite unlike the plane.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Praise for former tax cut (5)	### Answer: EXTOL ### Explanation: Definition: Praise EX-(the prefix to mean former;once) + "toll"(a tax) minus its last letter(cut).
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Do their workers set the standard for industry? (9)	### Answer: APIARISTS ### Explanation: Definition: Do their workers set the standard for industry Cryptic defn: Reference to those who keep bees, amongst which is the caste of workers, and to the saying "as busy as bees", the standard for being hardworking.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Somehow a loser with nothing can, probably (7)	### Answer: AEROSOL ### Explanation: Definition: can, probably Anagram of(Somehow) [ A LOSER plus(with) O(the letter that looks like zero;nothing) ]. Answer: A substance under pressure dispensed as a spray and its container, which is commonly;probably a metal can.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Where piece goes by composer with Queen (7)	### Answer: HOLSTER ### Explanation: Definition: Where piece goes HOLST(Gustav, English composer) plus(with) ER(abbrev. for Elizabeth Regina, the Queen). Answer: Where a piece;a gun goes. And of course, a piece is also a musical composition, and Queen was a former rock band.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: In battle Lancaster's first to leave squadron (5)	### Answer: FIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: battle Initial letter of ( …'s first) "Lancaster" deleted from(to leave) "flight"(two or more military aircraft, two or more of which in turn make up a squadron). And of course, the Lancaster was a British bomber.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Detain drunk, then vanish, say – a colourful treatment! (3-3-3)	### Answer: TIE-AND-DYE ### Explanation: Definition: a colourful treatment Anagram of(drunk) DETAIN plus(then) homophone of(say) "die"(vanish;cease to exist). Answer: Usually given as "tie-dye".
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 good man rests in bed? Most harmful! (9)	### Answer: COSTLIEST ### Explanation: Definition: Most harmful ST(abbrev. for a saint;a good man) LIES(rests;in a resting position) contained in(in) COT(a small bed). Answer: Most damaging to, say, your finances, or any of your resources.

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

### Clue: State needs humour injection (6)

### Answer: PUNJAB ### Explanation: Definition: State PUN(linguistic humour) + JAB(an injection). Answer: The state in NW India, and also the neighbouring province of Pakistan, a result of the division of the former Punjab province of British India. The name is derived from Sanskrit for "five" and "water".

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

### Clue: Katie Price in river (6)

### Answer: JORDAN ### Explanation: Definition: Katie Price,river Double defn: 1st: Pseudonym of the former The Sun's Page Three girl.

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 was leader in bombless state (4)

### Answer: IRAN ### Explanation: Definition: bombless state [I RAN]( I was leader, as in "I ran the country"). Answer: The state with a nuclear programme, and which no one else can tell if it is or is not without a bomb,"bombless "

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

### Clue: Many a Welsh runner in the gloaming (4)

### Answer: DUSK ### Explanation: Definition: the gloaming D(Roman numeral for 500,Many) + USK(Welsh river,runner).

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

### Clue: Virgin, perhaps Irish, wearing flared style (7)

### Answer: AIRLINE ### Explanation: Definition: Virgin IR(abbrev. for Irish) **contained in**(wearing) A-LINE(a cut,style of a dress or skirt which flares from the shoulders or waist down, in the shape of, well, the letter A). Answer: An example of which,perhaps is Virgin Atlantic, founded by Sir Richard Branson.

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

### Clue: Bumper edition of "Latin for Everyone"? (7)

### Answer: OMNIBUS ### Explanation: Definition: Bumper,Latin for Everyone Double defn: 1st: A collection of works by a single author or several works on a similar topic reprinted in one volume, or even a re-broadcast in one of two or more radio or TV programmes broadcast earlier; and 2nd: Translation into Latin of "for Everyone". As this is also a 10across, the setter could have linked this directly to the theme.

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

### Clue: Asian capital hasn't managed to progress (2,2)

### Answer: GO ON ### Explanation: Definition: to progress "Rangoon", former name for Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, formerly Burma, in Asia **minus**(hasn't) "ran"(managed).

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

### Clue: Hit by 2 and 16 across, new Pathfinder got lost crossing river (9,2,7)

### Answer: TRANSPORT OF DELIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: Hit by 2 and 16 across **Anagram of**(new) PATHFINDER GOT LOST **containing**(crossing) R(abbrev. for river). Answer: A song Hit by Flanders(answer to 2down) and Swann(answer to 16 across). A singing British comic duo.

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

### Clue: 10 was boss on board (5)

### Answer: SLEDS ### Explanation: Definition: 10 LED(was boss,managed) **contained in **SS(abbrev. for steamship eg. the SS Titanic) (on board).

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

### Clue: Line in religious writing by Hardy that's deleted another line (8)

### Answer: PLIMSOLL ### Explanation: Definition: another line L(abbrev. for "Line") **contained in**(in) PI(short for pious,religious) + MS(abbrev. for manuscript, a piece of writing) **plus**(by) OLL[nickname for Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy fame, "Ollie" **minus**(deleted) "i.e."(abbrev. for that is,that's)]. Answer: The line drawn on a ship's hull to show how low in the water she is allowed to be, ie. the maximum load she can carry.

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

### Clue: 10s despot's scratching head (4)

### Answer: VANS ### Explanation: Definition: 10s ["Ivan"(the Terrible, Russian despot) + 'S] **minus**(scratching) its initial letter(head).

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

### Clue: Pen name for Proust's hero (5)

### Answer: SWANN ### Explanation: Definition: Proust's hero SWAN(the female of which is a Pen) + N(abbrev. for name). Answer: The hero in "Swann's Way" the first book of French novelist, Marcel Proust's multi-part work "In Search of Lost Time", earlier translated as "Remembrance of Things Past".

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

### Clue: 10's about right (4)

### Answer: CART ### Explanation: Definition: 10 CA(abbrev. for circa,Latin for about) + RT(abbrev. for right).

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

### Clue: Touching a female in Indian dress after game (2,6)

### Answer: ON SAFARI ### Explanation: Definition: after game ON(Touching, as in "his essay was on another subject") + A F(abbrev. for female) **contained in**(in) SARI(an Indian dress for women). Answer: What you could be on if you're after game, presumably armed with your camera only.

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

### Clue: Elizabeth Fry's nursing 10 (5)

### Answer: FERRY ### Explanation: Definition: 10 ER(Elizabeth Regina, the Queen) **contained in**(…'s nursing) FRY. Elizabeth Fry was an English prison reformer, by the way.

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-striker's first to finish 10s (4)

### Answer: CABS ### Explanation: Definition: 10s "scab"(a Non-striker when others are out) with its initial letter(…'s first) moved to the end,finish of the word.

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

### Clue: Kit is able to enter "Come Dancing" (7)

### Answer: MECCANO ### Explanation: Definition: Kit CAN(is able to) **contained in**(to enter) **anagram of**(Dancing) "COME". Answer: Trademark name for the children's model construction Kit.

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

### Clue: 10 dashes round to collect papers (7)

### Answer: SIDECAR ### Explanation: Definition: 10 **Reversal of**(round) RACES(dashes,in a hurry) **containing**(to collect) ID(abbrev. for identification papers).

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

### Clue: 10 put up two million, ignoring banks (4)

### Answer: LIMO ### Explanation: Definition: 10 **Reversal of**(put up, in a down clue) O MIL["two million" **minus**(ignoring) its outer letters(banks)]

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

### Clue: Leader of foreign country regularly rearms in battle zone (8)

### Answer: FLANDERS ### Explanation: Definition: battle zone F(initial letter,Leader of "foreign") + LAND(the country) + E,R,S(the second, fourth sixth letters,regularly of "rearms"). Answer: A battle zone in Belgium in WWI.

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

### Clue: Joins Victorian 10s touring province (6)

### Answer: UNITES ### Explanation: Definition: Joins UTES[Australian slang for utility transport(answer to 10) vehicles which may be found in Victoria, the Australian state) **containing**(touring) NI(abbrev. for Northern Ireland, a province of the UK)

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

### Clue: Avoid one in time for discharge (8)

### Answer: EMISSION ### Explanation: Definition: discharge [MISS(to Avoid) + I(Roman numeral for one)] ***contained in***(in) EON(a very long period of time). Answer: Eg. what comes out of the back of petrol-burning 10across vehicles.

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

### Clue: 7 commanders pistol-whipped (6)

### Answer: PILOTS ### Explanation: Definition: 7 commanders **Anagram of**(whipped) pistol. Answer: Aircraft captains,commanders in an airline(answer to 7across).

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

### Clue: 10 set to cross Norway (4)

### Answer: PUNT ### Explanation: Definition: 10 PUT(to place,set) **containing**(to cross) N(abbrev. for Norway).

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 very quiet part of London's attractive (9)

### Answer: APPEALING ### Explanation: Definition: attractive A + PP(abbrev. for pianissimo,musical instruction to play very quietly) + EALING(a borough,part of London).

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

### Clue: Lover was injured at home (5)

### Answer: SWAIN ### Explanation: Definition: Lover **Anagram of**(injured) WAS + IN(at home,not out).

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

### Clue: Liberal's sad leader discarded 10 (5)

### Answer: LORRY ### Explanation: Definition: 10 L(abbrev. for Liberal,a member of said political party) + ORRY["sorry"(sad, as in "she was sorry she didn't get the job") **minus**(discarded) its initial letter(leader)]

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

### Clue: 10 understand a scheme's boring (8)

### Answer: SEAPLANE ### Explanation: Definition: 10 SEE(to understand, as in to "see the point of the joke") **containing**(…'s boring) [A PLAN](a scheme).

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

### Clue: County Clare ordered small 10s (8)

### Answer: CORACLES ### Explanation: Definition: 10s CO(abbrev. for County) + **anagram of**(ordered) CLARE + S(abbrev. for small).

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

### Clue: Lincoln nearly escaped so-called 10 (6)

### Answer: ABDUCT ### Explanation: Definition: 10 AB[ "Abe"( Lincoln, US President of long ago) **minus** its last letter(nearly) +**homophone of**(so-called) "ducked"(escaped,avoided). Answer: To carry and move off,transport(answer to 10across), illegally.

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

### Clue: Jazz pianist's ideal climbing shrub (6)

### Answer: FATSIA ### Explanation: Definition: shrub FATS(Waller, Jazz pianist) + **reversal of**(climbing) AI(looks like A1, the best,the ideal).

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 up-and-coming Cole Porter entertained 10 (4)

### Answer: OPEL ### Explanation: Definition: 10 **Reversal of**(up-and-coming, in a down clue) **hidden in**(… entertained) Cole Porter. Answer: A German make of transport vehicles, mainly cars, and therefore by extension, one of those vehicles.

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 7 runs 10 (4)

### Answer: BEAR ### Explanation: Definition: 10 BEA[abbrev. for British European Airways, a former,Old airline(answer to 7across)] + R(abbrev. for "runs", as in cricket). Apt surface. Answer: To carry and transport.

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

### Clue: Nationality of drunk holding prow of canoe (8)

### Answer: SCOTTISH ### Explanation: Definition: Nationality SOTTISH(drunk, as an adjective, and for once not as an anagram indicator) **containing**(holding) C{**first letter of**(prow of) "canoe"}.

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

### Clue: Fight against Iceland inter alia (6)

### Answer: RESIST ### Explanation: Definition: Fight against IS(the International Organisation of Standards code for Iceland) **contained in** REST(**inter alia**;Latin for amongst other things;within the rest).

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

### Clue: He scratches 20 runs (6)

### Answer: SCORER ### Explanation: Definition: He scratches SCORE(a group or set of twenty items) + R(abbrev. for "runs" in cricket notation). Answer: One who makes a score;a scratch mark.

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

### Clue: Manage a match in mini perhaps (8)

### Answer: RUNABOUT ### Explanation: Definition: mini perhaps RUN(to manage, say, an organisation) + A + BOUT(a match, especially in boxing). Answer: A small vehicle, especially one for running about in town;a minicar perhaps, or even a Mini.

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

### Clue: That mad London lecturer quit after cool event (10)

### Answer: HEPTATHLON ### Explanation: Definition: event [**Anagram of**(mad) "THAT " + LON{"London" **minus**(… quit) "don"(a lecturer in a university)}] **placed after**(after) HEP(cool;trendy;forerunner of "hip").

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

### Clue: Joe returned in a couple of hours for jump (4)

### Answer: HIGH ### Explanation: Definition: jump **Reversal of**(returned) GI(Joe, a personification of the American soldier) **contained in**(in) H,H(a couple of the abbrev. for "hours"). Answer: A field event in the jumping category.

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

### Clue: In middle of winter a bronze for swimming? (6)

### Answer: NATANT ### Explanation: Definition: swimming NT(**the middle letters of** "winter") **containing**(in …) [ A + TAN(the bronze colour)]. Defn. and Answer: As adjectives.

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

### Clue: Takes in females clearing barrier (8)

### Answer: SWALLOWS ### Explanation: Definition: Takes in SOWS(adult female of swine or other animals) **containing**(clearing) WALL(a barrier).

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

### Clue: Range had seen changes after terrible start (3,5)

### Answer: THE ANDES ### Explanation: Definition: Range **Anagram of**(changes) HAD SEEN pf(after) T{**initial letter of**(… start) "terrible"}. Answer: The South American mountain range.

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

### Clue: Female's covering a short distance in event (6)

### Answer: HAMMER ### Explanation: Definition: event HER(possessive pronoun for a female;female's) **containing**(covering)[ A + MM(abbrev. for millimetre, a very short distance indeed)]. And here's the

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

### Clue: Briton's last to break record in jump (4)

### Answer: LONG ### Explanation: Definition: jump N{ **last letter of**(…'s last) "Briton"} **contained in**(to break) LOG(a record of events, etc.). Answer: Another field event in the jumping category.

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

### Clue: Medal winners greatly value old arena (5,5)

### Answer: PRIZE LIST ### Explanation: Definition: Medal winners PRIZE(to greatly value) + LISTS(the arena for competitive events, like the jousts, in olden days). Answer: Not the list of prizes, but of those who have won.

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 venue's choice of brothels in Kingsway (8)

### Answer: HELSINKI ### Explanation: Definition: Old venue **Hidden in**(choice of) brotHELS IN KIngsway.

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

### Clue: No information on private parts of Roman's home (6)

### Answer: ITALIA ### Explanation: Definition: Roman's home "genitalia"(the private reproductive parts of animals) **minus**(no) "gen"(information). Answer: What a Roman would call his home country.

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

### Clue: Debate truncated event (6)

### Answer: DISCUS ### Explanation: Definition: event "discuss" **minus ****its last letter**(… truncated). Answer: A field event in the throwing category, dating back to the ancient Greeks.

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

### Clue: Greenhorns try what 20 competitor does (8)

### Answer: GOSLINGS ### Explanation: Definition: Greenhorns GO(an attempt;a try at a game, as in "go ahead, have a go") + SLINGS{what the hammer(answer to 20across) thrower does}. Answer: Young inexperienced persons. If they don't learn, then they'll grow up to be geese. **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: Children etc play freely within velodrome track (5,4)

### Answer: CYCLE PATH ### Explanation: Definition: velodrome track CH(abbrev. for "children") **containing**(… within) **anagram of**(freely) ETC PLAY.

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 brief argument during racing event card (5)

### Answer: TAROT ### Explanation: Definition: card A + RO{"row"(an argument) **minus ****its last letter**(brief)} **contained in**(during) TT(abbrev. for the Tourist Trophy motorcycle racing event held annually on the Isle of Man). Answer: A card from the deck used by fortune tellers and the like to supposedly read your future.

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

### Clue: Stimulated and watered, with time for golf (9)

### Answer: IRRITATED ### Explanation: Definition: Stimulated "irrigated"(watered) with "t"(abbrev. for "time") **replacing**(for) "g(the letter denoted by "golf" in the phonetic alphabet).

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

### Clue: So this event dislocates shoulders? (7)

### Answer: HURDLES ### Explanation: Definition: this event ["so" + the answer] is an **anagram of**(dislocates) "shoulders", or vice versa.

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

### Clue: Dispute final stages of race (3-2)

### Answer: RUN-IN ### Explanation: Definition: Dispute ,final stages of race 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: Many families wary about wobbly pub chimney (9)

### Answer: SUBPHYLUM ### Explanation: Definition: Many families [SHY(to be wary of, eg. a child in front of strangers) **containing**(about) **anagram of**(wobbly) PUB] + LUM(a chimney). Answer: In biology, life forms are ordered by the following classifications: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and lastly Species. In linguistics, a phylum is a category of related languages. In both cases, the subphylum consists of many families.

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

### Clue: Star drinks with German, like the 20 (5)

### Answer: SWUNG ### Explanation: Definition: like the 20 [SUN(the star round which the earth revolves) **containing**(drinks) W(abbrev. for "with")] + G(abbrev. for "German"). Answer: What is done with the hammer(answer to 20across) before being released.

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 left 19 ace floundering to make up number (9)

### Answer: ANALGESIC ### Explanation: Definition: number **Anagram of**(floundering) ["sailing"(answer to 19across) **minus**(… left) "i" + ACE]. Answer: A substance, eg. aspirin that relieves pain by numbing;a number.

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

### Clue: Regularly helped break top stories in field events (9)

### Answer: ATHLETICS ### Explanation: Definition: field events {H,L,E(**1st, 3rd, and 5th letters of** (regularly) "helped"} **contained in**(break) ATTICS(the parts of buildings directly under the roof;the top stories). Answer: Not only field, but also track, events, I thought.

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

### Clue: Girls went swimming in event (9)

### Answer: WRESTLING ### Explanation: Definition: event **Anagram of**(swimming) GIRLS WENT.

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

### Clue: Confess having trouble in event (7)

### Answer: SAILING ### Explanation: Definition: event SING(to confess, especially to criminal activities to the police) **containing**(having) AIL(to trouble, as in "what ails 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: They refer to bottom medal, large one (5)

### Answer: OBELI ### Explanation: Definition: They refer to bottom OBE(abbrev. for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an honour bestowed by the British monarch, which presumably has a medal thrown in as well) + L(abbrev. for "large", as in clothing sizes) +I(Roman numeral for "one"). Answer: Plural of obelus, a variant of which is the dagger sign, †, which is used in text to refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page. By convention, it used for a second footnote, after an asterisk has already been used.

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

### Clue: Throws weight around north for kicks (5)

### Answer: PUNTS ### Explanation: Definition: kicks PUTS(throws weight, as in the shot put field event) **containing**(around) N(abbrev. for "north"). Answer: Where a ball is released and kicked before it touches the ground, used in certain sports, eg. in rugby.

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 Qatari's bad at escaping other Arab (5)

### Answer: IRAQI ### Explanation: Definition: other Arab I(Roman numeral for "one") + **anagram of**(bad){"Qatari" **minus**(… escaping) "at"}. Answer: Another Arab besides a Qatari. Answer to pic#1 ; to pic#2

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

### Clue: Around start of October, band grows in ground for winter sport? (12)

### Answer: SNOWBOARDING ### Explanation: O{**initial letter of**(start of) "October"} **contained in**(around) **anagram of**(ground) BAND GROWS IN.

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

### Clue: Substance in largely unmixed drink (7)

### Answer: PURPORT ### Explanation: Definition: Substance "pure"(unmixed;unalderated) **minus ****its last letter**(largely) + PORT(an alcoholic drink). Defn. and Answer: Nouns for the meaning of speech or writing.

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

### Clue: Take off from India and China laden with computers etc (7)

### Answer: IMITATE ### Explanation: Definition: Take off I(abbrev. for "India") **plus**(and) MATE(whose rhyming slang is "China" from "China plate") **containing**(laden with) IT(abbrev. for information technology: computers, etc.).

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 statesman protected by dour henchmen from the East (5)

### Answer: NEHRU ### Explanation: Definition: Old statesman **Hidden in**(protected by) and **reversal of**(from the East, in an across clue) "dour henchmen". Answer: Jawaharlal, the first Prime Minister of India.

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

### Clue: Outfit for a butterfly? (8)

### Answer: SWIMSUIT ### Explanation: Definition: Outfit for a butterfly Cryptic defn: What one wears if doing the butterfly stroke, usually in competitive swimming.

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

### Clue: Neat gin mixed with a dash of Drambuie surrounded by tree – a seasonal occasion? (6,3)

### Answer: BOXING DAY ### Explanation: Definition: a seasonal occasion {OX(an example of a neat;a domestic bovine animal) + **anagram of**(mixed) GIN **plus**(with) **initial letter of**(a dash of) "Drambuie} **contained in**(surrounded by) BAY(a small European evergreen tree, also called the laurel).

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

### Clue: Foreign character in split of river (5)

### Answer: DELTA ### Explanation: Definition: Foreign character,split of river Double defn: 1st: Character in the Greek alphabet; and 2nd: Part of the river where it might split into many branches on reaching 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: Magazine feature found during some tennis (5)

### Answer: INSET ### Explanation: Definition: Magazine feature IN(found during) SET(part of a tennis match).

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

### Clue: See a new hotel in island – disreputable source of money? (4,5)

### Answer: LOAN SHARK ### Explanation: Definition: disreputable source of money LO(see, usually in conjunction with "behold") + A + N(abbrev. for "new") + {H(represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet) **contained in**(in) SARK(a small island that is part of the Channel Islands in the English Channel)}.

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, fine writer confronts a tangle of lies (8)

### Answer: PENALISE ### Explanation: Definition: Perhaps, fine PEN(a writing instrument;writer) **plus**(confronts) + A + **anagram of**(tangle of) LIES. Answer: An example;perhaps of which is to impose a fine.

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

### Clue: African city harbouring grand instrument (5)

### Answer: ORGAN ### Explanation: Definition: instrument ORAN(a city in Algeria, on the Mediterranean coast) **containing**(harbouring) G(abbrev. for a "grand", slang for a thousand, usually dollars or pounds).

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

### Clue: Expert on board that is diminutive figure (7)

### Answer: SHORTIE ### Explanation: Definition: diminutive figure Edit.note: Thanks Raich for the shorter explanation. I thought wrongly. ~~Double defn: 1st: (I think) Short for a short seller, one who sells shares that he/she does not have yet in anticipation of a drop in price, in the stock exchange, the metonym of which is "the board" – presumably he/she's got to be expert in it to keep on doing it; and 2nd: a~~ SHORT(Nigel, English chess prodigy, grandmaster at 19, expert on chess board, and of whom I was shamefully ignorant) + IE(that is;Latin id est). Answer: A belittling word for a person of little;diminutive;short figure.

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

### Clue: Island athlete once rounding wild fell overlooking lake, hazard in wintry climes? (3,4)

### Answer: ICE FLOE ### Explanation: Definition: hazard in wintry climes I(abbrev. for "island") + COE(Baron Sebastian, an retired English athlete) **containing**(rounding) **anagram of**(wild) FEL{"fell" **minus**(overlooking) "l"}. Answer: A marine hazard in ice-cold regions.

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

### Clue: Premier, ex-Labour leader, with a lot of Irish and Scottish celebrants? (5-7)

### Answer: FIRST-FOOTERS ### Explanation: Definition: Scottish celebrants FIRST(premier;foremost) + FOOT(Michael, once leader of the British Labour Party) **plus**(with) ERS{"Erse", the Irish Gaelic language **minus ****its last letter**(a lot of)}. Answer: Celebrants of the Scottish tradition of first-footing. The first person who steps across a home's threshold on New Year's Day (midnight on New Year's Eve) usually brings gifts representing good fortune. In some places, traditionally, the first-footer should be a dark-haired male, females and fair-haired males being regarded as unlucky (?). And of course, all this stepping is followed with a party. ** **2 Northern man keeping paintings and cross in $$portico$$ (7) **NARTHEX** : {N(abbrev. for "northern") + HE(pronoun for a man)} **containing**(keeping) ART(which includes paintings) **plus**(and) X(alphabetical character for a cross). Answer: The porch;portico;lobby at the entrance to a church furthest from the main altar.

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

### Clue: Exciting hunt in wood clearing old literary mystery (9)

### Answer: WHODUNNIT ### Explanation: Definition: literary mystery **Anagram of**(exciting) "hunt in wood" **minus**(clearing) "o"(abbrev. for 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: Curse in boathouse (4)

### Answer: OATH ### Explanation: Definition: Curse **Hidden in**(in) "boathouse".

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

### Clue: Maybe one in cutting banter cut short ordinary sort defending West (10)

### Answer: RAILWAYMAN ### Explanation: Definition: Maybe one in cutting RAI{"rail"(if done good naturedly, it's to banter, if not it's to complain bitterly) **minus ****its last letter**(cut short) + LAYMAN(a person with no specialised or professional knowledge of a subject;an ordinary sort)} **containing**(defending) W(abbrev. for "west"). Defn: A reference to a cutting through which the railway runs.

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

### Clue: Distinctive speech from old dictator getting award (5)

### Answer: IDIOM ### Explanation: Definition: Distinctive speech IDI(Amin, former dictator of Uganda) **plus**(getting) OM(the post-nominal letters for one who has been awarded the Order of Merit, by the monarchy). Answer: A vocabulary or style of speaking peculiar to a specific group or subject.

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

### Clue: Gentle drug a lab, not British, manufactured (7)

### Answer: GRADUAL ### Explanation: Definition: Gentle **Anagram of**(manufactured) "drug a lab" **minus**(not) B(abbrev. for "British").

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

### Clue: Period of time in bridge (4)

### Answer: SPAN ### Explanation: Definition: Period of time,bridge Double defn: 1st: As in "the span of recorded history".

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

### Clue: Port with provider of funds for arty area (4,4)

### Answer: LEFT BANK ### Explanation: Definition: arty area PORT(the left hand side of a craft, when facing the bow) **plus**(with) BANK(which might provide you with funds). Answer: The area on the River Seine in Paris where arty people (and tourists) gather.

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 close to a majority? (10)

### Answer: ADOLESCENT ### Explanation: Definition: One close to a majority Cryptic defn: The majority is the state or time of being of legal age to smoke, vote, drink alcohol, get married without parents' consent, etc.

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

### Clue: Book by lecturer, mischievous reactionary (8)

### Answer: BLIMPISH ### Explanation: Definition: reactionary B(abbrev. for "book") **plus**(by) L(abbrev. for "lecturer") + IMPISH(mischievous like an imp). Answer: After Colonel Blimp, the British cartoon character depicting a person, especially a military officer, who is stupidly complacent and reactionary.

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

### Clue: Not straightforward or fair person with forged notes (9)

### Answer: DISHONEST ### Explanation: Definition: Not straightforward DISH(a fair person;an especially attractive person) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(forged) NOTES.

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

### Clue: Gathering for departure complete among very good fellows (7)

### Answer: SENDOFF ### Explanation: Definition: Gathering for departure END(to complete;to finish) **contained in**(among) SO(very, as in "she's so dishy") + FF(abbrev. for "fellow" x 2). I guess "good" is there for the surface; otherwise it appears superfluous?

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 lot of fear about unusual gun that's stiff (7)

### Answer: ANGULAR ### Explanation: Definition: stiff "alarm"(fear) **minus ****its last letter**(a lot of) **containing**(about) **anagram of**(unusual) GUN. Answer: Stiff in manner or movement, as opposed to graceful.

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 Californian mayor might serve shortly in future? (5)

### Answer: LATER ### Explanation: Definition: in future LA term{a period in office which an elected mayor from LA(Los Angeles, California) might serve} **minus ****its last letter**(shortly).

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

### Clue: Requirement to work in bakery, reportedly (4)

### Answer: NEED ### Explanation: Definition: Requirement **Hidden in**(reportedly) "knead"(manipulate;work dough in a bakery).

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

### Clue: Lush piece of Gershwin orchestration (4)

### Answer: WINO ### Explanation: Definition: Lush **Hidden in**(piece of) "Gershwin orchestration ". Defn. and Answer: Synonyms for a drunkard.

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 visionary project, like the superfortress was? (6,2,3,3)

### Answer: CASTLE IN THE AIR ### Explanation: Definition: A visionary project Cryptic defn: Reference to the B-29 Superfortress bomber that was used, among other missions, to carry out the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – with its name, spelt with a lower case initial, and its usage taken literally. Answer: A daydream, quite unlike the plane.

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

### Clue: Praise for former tax cut (5)

### Answer: EXTOL ### Explanation: Definition: Praise EX-(the prefix to mean former;once) + "toll"(a tax) **minus ****its last letter**(cut).

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

### Clue: Do their workers set the standard for industry? (9)

### Answer: APIARISTS ### Explanation: Definition: Do their workers set the standard for industry Cryptic defn: Reference to those who keep bees, amongst which is the caste of workers, and to the saying "as busy as bees", the standard for being hardworking.

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

### Clue: Somehow a loser with nothing can, probably (7)

### Answer: AEROSOL ### Explanation: Definition: can, probably **Anagram of**(Somehow) [ A LOSER **plus**(with) O(the letter that looks like zero;nothing) ]. Answer: A substance under pressure dispensed as a spray and its container, which is commonly;probably a metal can.

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

### Clue: Where piece goes by composer with Queen (7)

### Answer: HOLSTER ### Explanation: Definition: Where piece goes HOLST(Gustav, English composer) **plus**(with) ER(abbrev. for Elizabeth Regina, the Queen). Answer: Where a piece;a gun goes. And of course, a piece is also a musical composition, and Queen was a former rock band.

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

### Clue: In battle Lancaster's first to leave squadron (5)

### Answer: FIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: battle **Initial letter of** ( …'s first) "Lancaster" **deleted from**(to leave) "flight"(two or more military aircraft, two or more of which in turn make up a squadron). And of course, the Lancaster was a British bomber.

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

### Clue: Detain drunk, then vanish, say – a colourful treatment! (3-3-3)

### Answer: TIE-AND-DYE ### Explanation: Definition: a colourful treatment **Anagram of**(drunk) DETAIN **plus**(then) **homophone of**(say) "die"(vanish;cease to exist). Answer: Usually given as "tie-dye".

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 good man rests in bed? Most harmful! (9)

### Answer: COSTLIEST ### Explanation: Definition: Most harmful ST(abbrev. for a saint;a good man) LIES(rests;in a resting position) **contained in**(in) COT(a small bed). Answer: Most damaging to, say, your finances, or any of your resources.