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: Daughter put in petrol after vehicle turned back? That's not to be reported (3,6)	### Answer: SUB JUDICE ### Explanation: Definition: not to be reported {D($$d$$aughter) contained in(put in) JUICE(slang for energy,petrol)} placed after(after) reversal of(turned back) BUS(mass transport vehicle) Defn: From Latin, "under judgement", meaning that a case is under consideration by a judge or court, and since he/she/they haven't made up his/her/their minds, there can't be public discussion of the pending case, ie. such comments are not to be reported.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Italian child ignoring no Disney film (5)	### Answer: BAMBI ### Explanation: Definition: Disney film BAMBIno(Italian for baby,small child) minus(ignoring) "no". Defn: Tear-jerking animation film from early Disney Studios
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Judge again finding donkeys in half of resort (8)	### Answer: REASSESS ### Explanation: Definition: Judge again ASSES(donkeys) contained in(finding…in) RES(half of the letters in the word "resort"). 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: Material, we hear, moved to and fro (6)	### Answer: SWAYED ### Explanation: Definition: moved to and fro Homophone of(we hear) suede(material with a velvet-like nap made from leather)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Last to be taken by the devil? (8)	### Answer: HINDMOST ### Explanation: Definition: Last to be taken by the devil? Cryptic defn: From the phrase: "Let the devil take the hindmost", meaning "every man for himself", and if you're last that's just too bad – you're left to be taken by the devil.
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 a substitute to tolerate wrongdoing? (6,2)	### Answer: STANDS IN ### Explanation: Definition: Is a substitute STAND(bear,stomach,tolerate) SIN(wrongdoing)
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 woman liked it here? Not entirely (5)	### Answer: EDITH ### Explanation: Definition: A woman Hidden in(not entirely) likED IT 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: However synchronised (2,3,4,4)	### Answer: AT THE SAME TIME ### Explanation: Definition: However,synchronised Double defn: 1st: But,however,on the other hand,still; and 2nd: Together,synchronised
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Clever Dick's alias? (5,4)	### Answer: SMART ALEC ### Explanation: Definition: Clever Dick's alias? Cryptic defn: Another eponym,alias for a person who irritates because he/she is, or thinks he/she is too smart, a clever Dick
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Five argue excitedly, becoming more unclear (6)	### Answer: VAGUER ### Explanation: Definition: more unclear V(Roman numeral for five) plus anagram of(excitedly) ARGUE
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Salad ingredient artist put on plate (6)	### Answer: RADISH ### Explanation: Definition: Salad ingredient RA(artist,member of the $$R$$oyal $$A$$cademy) placed before(put on) DISH(plate)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Kipling's work — only a plea for help, right? (4,2,7)	### Answer: JUST SO STORIES ### Explanation: Definition: Kipling's work JUST(merely,only as in "we are just wasting our time here") SOS(international acronym for a plea for help) TORIES(members of the British Conservative Party, considered to at the right end of the political spectrum compared to the Labour left) Defn: Series of stories by Rudyard Kipling, fantastic tales of the origin of things, eg. how the camel got his hump. The phrase is also used to describe, as a criticism of, unverifiable and unfalsifiable narrative explanations put forward for eg. a cultural practice, a biological trait or human or animal behaviour.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Bird joining football team in bloomers (9)	### Answer: LARKSPURS ### Explanation: Definition: bloomers LARK(a songbird) plus(joining) SPURS(short for Tottenham Hotspurs, one of the London football teams)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Card game with two spirits? Goodness gracious! (3,5)	### Answer: GIN RUMMY ### Explanation: Definition: Card game GIN RUM(two spirits,liquors) MY(as in Oh my!,goodness gracious me!)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cambridge eccentric losing male budgerigar, for example (4,4)	### Answer: CAGE BIRD ### Explanation: Definition: budgerigar, for example Anagram of(eccentric) CABRIDGE("Cambridge" minus(losing) the letter M,$$m$$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: Shutter, so to speak, that's not so far away (6)	### Answer: CLOSER ### Explanation: Definition: not so far away Whimsy(so to speak) of "shut" = "close" so "shutter" = "closer"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dancing bear is from this country (6)	### Answer: SERBIA ### Explanation: Definition: country Anagram of(dancing) BEAR IS
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Joint that's given to someone who has to leave (5)	### Answer: ELBOW ### Explanation: Definition: Joint that's given to someone who has to leave Cryptic defn: From the phrase "to give someone the elbow" meaning to get rid of,make someone whom you want to go,who has to leave, go
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 large in glee" misconstrues Hamlet's plot (7,5)	### Answer: VILLAGE GREEN ### Explanation: Definition: Hamlet's plot Anagram of(misconstrues) V($$v$$ery) LARGE IN GLEE Defn: The communal plot of land found in old hamlets,villages,small towns, where cricket matches against neighbouring villages, fetes, and other community events would be held. Very enjoyable and clever misdirection
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 to secure new, extravagant place (7)	### Answer: INSTALL ### Explanation: Definition: place IS containing(to secure) N($$n$$ew) plus TALL(excessive,extravagant, as in "a tall order", "a tall tale")
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 unfit with belly layer (7)	### Answer: STRATUM ### Explanation: Anagram of(unfit) STAR plus**(with) TUM(tummy,short for stomach,belly)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dodgy doctor stashing drugs in some department (4,3)	### Answer: COTE DOR ### Explanation: Definition: some department Anagram of(dodgy) DOCTOR containing(stashing) E(drugs,specifically $$E$$cstasy) Defn: A French adminstrative area in eastern France, famous for its Burgundy wines, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Country person of vulgar habits heading off sometime soon (7)	### Answer: LEBANON ### Explanation: Definition: Country LEB{("pleb" is short for "plebeian",coarse vulgar person, minus its initial letter(heading off), "p"} ANON(in a while,sometime soon)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Buried during ancient city's catastrophic end (5)	### Answer: UNDER ### Explanation: Definition: Buried Anagram of(catastrophic) END contained in(during) UR(ancient city in what is now south Iraq)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nervous Shakespeare women dismissed with some banter (3,2,4)	### Answer: ILL AT EASE ### Explanation: Definition: Nervous ILL{short for $$Will$$iam Shakespeare minus(dismissed) the letter "w",women} plus(with) A TEASE(one of things one might say,banter to jokingly annoy somebody)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: With sixth sense they leap in dance across time (9)	### Answer: TELEPATHY ### Explanation: Definition: sixth sense Anagram of(in dance) THEY LEAP containing(across) T($$t$$ime) Defn: The noun for the elusive and illusive ability to transmit and receive thought across space without the help of any of the other five senses.
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 propels boat south – men at oar (5)	### Answer: SCREW ### Explanation: Definition: What propels boat S($$s$$outh) CREW(the men working the oars)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Expect payment where hospital refused to perform surgery (7)	### Answer: OPERATE ### Explanation: Definition: to perform surgery OPE{"hope",expect minus(refused) the letter "h",hospital} RATE(payment,charge)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Nobleman given honour as something of a listener (7)	### Answer: EARLOBE ### Explanation: Definition: something of a listener EARL(nobleman) plus(given) OBE{$$O$$fficer of the Order of the $$B$$ritish $$E$$mpire, an honour given to chosen British subjects by the Queen (or King)}. An amusing surface of an earl being honoured for being a good listener. Defn: The fleshy part of the ear,listener. One of the common parts of the anatomy for decoration/mutilation.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Demonstrators in rain? (7)	### Answer: SHOWERS ### Explanation: Definition: Demonstrators,in rain Double defn: 1st: A rarely-used noun from the verb to show,demonstrate; perhaps just as well since the slang meaning is somewhat embarrassing.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Thomas for one infected, cold caught (7)	### Answer: SCEPTIC ### Explanation: Definition: Thomas for one SEPTIC(infected, eg. as open wounds could be unless treated with antiseptic medicine) containing(caught) C($$c$$old, as would be seen on your bathroom taps) Defn: What the Biblical Doubting Thomas was.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Potter's work in poem has pun that's awful (3-9)	### Answer: ONE-UPMANSHIP ### Explanation: Definition: Potter's work Anagram of(that's awful) IN POEM HAS PUN Defn: Book by Stephen Potter (1900-1969), a spoofy "self-help" book on how to be one-up on the other guy. Other of his books include "Gamesmanship", "Lifemanship","Supermanship" and "The Complete Golf Gamesmanship".
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Caligula's sex position many came to see (7)	### Answer: VISITED ### Explanation: Definition: came to see VI(Roman, of which Caligula was one, numeral for six,sex in Latin, which Caligula undoubtedly spoke) SITE(location,position) D(Roman numeral for 500,many). Excellent misdirection and an anti-climax, as you might say, after figuring it 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: Heroic lover with piercing eye (7)	### Answer: LEANDER ### Explanation: Definition: Heroic lover AND(in addition to,with) contained in(piercing) LEER(to look at,eye with lascivious interest, as associated, rightly or wrongly, with "dirty old men") Defn: Mythical lover of Hero, thus Heroic lover.
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 on Annapurna gets ill – right to receive treatment and physician (9)	### Answer: ALLERGIST ### Explanation: Definition: physician A(first letter,leader of $$A$$nnapurna) plus anagram of(to receive treatment) [GETS ILL plus R($$r$$ight)]
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Artistic support for treacherous person beheaded (5)	### Answer: EASEL ### Explanation: Definition: Artistic support EASEL{"weasel",untrustworthy,treacherous person minus its first letter(beheaded), "w"} Defn: Whimsical definition of that which supports the artist's canvas
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Cheese on toast provides unusually good mouthful (7)	### Answer: RAREBIT ### Explanation: Definition: Cheese on toast RARE(unusually good,excellent) BIT(mouthful,what you've bitten off)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Sent into stormily sea-girt land (7)	### Answer: ESTONIA ### Explanation: Definition: land Anagram of(stormily) SEA containing(girt) anagram of(sent) INTO
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Rude Posh attends dance club, sure to get thrown out (12)	### Answer: DISCOURTEOUS ### Explanation: Definition: Rude U(posh,$$u$$pper-class) contained in(attends) {DISCO(dance club rampant in the 70s) plus anagram of(get thrown out) SURE TO}
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Reckon why men worked with tool (6-6)	### Answer: MONKEY-WRENCH ### Explanation: Definition: tool Anagram of(worked) RECKON WHY MEN
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Parishioner's poem sung for each boy (9)	### Answer: LAYPERSON ### Explanation: Definition: Parishioner LAY(poem, especially one to be sung) PER(for each, as in per capita, per annum, etc) SON(boy)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Told Porky to have some rest (3-4)	### Answer: LIE-DOWN ### Explanation: Definition: some rest LIED(told porky,a lie) OWN(to have,possess)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Man almost catches delayed plane (7)	### Answer: PLATEAU ### Explanation: Definition: plane PAU{"Paul", a man's name or sometimes an octopus's, minus its last letter(almost), "l"} containing(catches) LATE(past the expected/due time,delayed) Defn: A flat level surface or a figurative level of attainment, as in "he's plateaued/levelled out in his musical performance."
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Terrifying sound rocks Switzerland (7)	### Answer: SCREECH ### Explanation: Definition: Terrifying sound SCREE(a mass of broken rocks on the side of a mountain) CH(IVR code for Switzerland, from the French "$$C$$onfédération $$H$$elvétique" – I had always wondered about that)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Vase for standing contains nothing in high place (7)	### Answer: ROOFTOP ### Explanation: Definition: high place Reversal of(standing, in a down clue) of [POT(vase, perhaps more elegant in looks than a common garden pot) plus FOR] containing(contains) O(letter that looks like zero, therefore used to stand for nothing)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Mares would triumph here, in sleep so monstrous (5)	### Answer: EPSOM ### Explanation: Definition: Mares would triumph here Hidden in(in) sleEP SO Monstrous Defn: The racecourse, Epsom Downs, in Surrey, England where the annual Derby is held. I assume mares have their fair share of triumphs at Epsom.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Writer shares out novel development (9)	### Answer: AUTHORESS ### Explanation: Definition: Writer Anagram of(novel development) SHARES 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: Flight path incomplete (4)	### Answer: ROUT ### Explanation: Definition: Flight Path,route minus its last letter,incomplete Defn: An overwhelming defeat accompanied by flight,dispersal of the defeated
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Successfully manage an abduction? (5,3)	### Answer: CARRY OFF ### Explanation: Definition: Successfully manage,an abduction Double defn: 1st: Successfully manage, say,?, an abduction; and 2nd: Abduct someone without consent, usually by force.
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 man's entitled to them, but they're not left to son (6)	### Answer: RIGHTS ### Explanation: Definition: A man's entitled to them RIGHT(not left) plus(to) S($$s$$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: Bring the match alive with shot at goal (6)	### Answer: STRIKE ### Explanation: Definition: Bring the match alive,shot at goal Double defn: 1st: What you do to light,bring alive, a matchstick
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Frighten with errors and bloomers (8)	### Answer: COWSLIPS ### Explanation: Definition: bloomers COW(intimidate,frighten) plus SLIPS(mistakes,errors) Defn: Plant with white and yellow flowers,bloomers, not to be confused with its relation, the oxlip, another crossword staple.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Detectives in US agency retired, remaining sharp (6)	### Answer: ACIDIC ### Explanation: Definition: remaining sharp CID($$C$$riminal $$I$$nvestigation $$D$$epartment, filled with detectives) contained in(in) reversal of(retired) CIA(the US $$C$$entral $$I$$ntelligence $$A$$gency)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Put on heavy music symbolic of Ireland (8)	### Answer: SHAMROCK ### Explanation: Definition: symbolic of Ireland SHAM(fake,put on) plus(on) ROCK(heavy music) Defn: Symbol of Ireland, together with leprechauns and Guinness?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: The kindly feeling of its beneficiaries? (8)	### Answer: GOODWILL ### Explanation: Definition: The kindly feeling Cryptic defn: The beneficiaries of a GOOD WILL, descriptive of one with no nasty surprises, such as a "beneficiary" being left $1, will show a lot of GOODWILL all round.
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 by itself is only a gradual process (6)	### Answer: LITTLE ### Explanation: Definition: This by itself is only a gradual process Cryptic defn: This, the word LITTLE *plus by plus* itself, the word LITTLE, ie. "little by little" denotes a gradual process. Edit.note: to make my intended meaning clearer in view of comment#1.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Shadow boxing, a contest between fighters? (8)	### Answer: DOGFIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: a contest between fighters DOG(to follow,tail,shadow) FIGHT(one form of which is boxing) Defn: An aerial combat,contest between fighter planes. Hesitated a bit because of "fight" in both clue and answer.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Feast on one's bed in the dormitory? (6)	### Answer: SPREAD ### Explanation: Definition: Feast,on one's bed in the dormitory Double defn: 1st: Food and drink,a feast spread large on the dining table; and 2nd: The ~~linen~~ cloth spread over one's bed, also known as a bedspread. Edit.note: Ditto as 19A
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Italian banger unfortunately going the wrong way joining the motorway (6)	### Answer: SALAMI ### Explanation: Definition: Italian banger Reversal of(going the wrong way) ALAS(unfortunately) plus(joining) MI(=M1, first major motorway in England, running north-south) Defn: Italian sausage,banger, not to be confused with banger = old car. 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: Substantial list includes gin cocktail (8)	### Answer: TANGIBLE ### Explanation: Definition: Substantial TABLE(list) containing(includes) anagram of(cocktail) GIN.
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 venerable name in our illustrious past (4)	### Answer: BEDE ### Explanation: Definition: A venerable name in our illustrious past Cryptic defn: 7/8C monk, Saint BEDE, our,English historian,a chronicler of the illustrious past, also known as the Venerable BEDE
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Stomach is churning — but he enjoys it! (9)	### Answer: MASOCHIST ### Explanation: Definition: he enjoys it Anagram of(churning) STOMACH IS. Defn: He who enjoys pain inflicted on himself, eg. when his stomach is churning, and whatever else there is! Yet another nice surface with intertwining definition and wordplay.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Fit girl given bodybuilding exercises (5)	### Answer: ADAPT ### Explanation: Definition: Fit ADA(girl's name) plus(given) PT($$p$$hysical $$t$$raining,bodybuilding exercises perhaps) Defn: Verb, to fit into the environment or circumstances, as in "Adapt or die"
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Delayed sailor with dire consequences (7)	### Answer: TARRIED ### Explanation: Definition: Delayed TAR(sailor,tarpaulin) plus(with) anagram of(consequences) DIRE. Defn: Past tense of tarry,linger,delay.
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's put on weight – it's something in the air (5)	### Answer: OZONE ### Explanation: Definition: it's something in the air OZ(abbrev. for ounce,unit of weight in the Imperial system) placed before(put on) ONE Defn: An allotrope of the element oxygen with 3 instead of the common 2 atoms in a molecule, great for protecting earthly life against cosmic rays.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Impressions left by the dead (7)	### Answer: EFFECTS ### Explanation: Definition: Impressions,left by the dead Double defn: 1st: The resulting effects,impressions, usually mental or emotional, on you when something, well, affects you. An example could be the consequential effect of someone's death,left by the dead; and 2nd: The personal effects of some person, left by him/her when he/she is dead, the subject of a 16A maybe.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Idiot – to get tight and then dance (9)	### Answer: SCREWBALL ### Explanation: Definition: Idiot SCREW(verb, to tighten, using, say, a screwdriver; unsure about compatibility with the adjective "tight" in this case) plus(and then) BALL(an event with dancing and feasting mainly)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Soldier's uniform? (7)	### Answer: REGULAR ### Explanation: Definition: Soldier,uniform Double defn: 1st: A fulltime soldier
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Restoration play in cut that's not normal (9)	### Answer: UNTYPICAL ### Explanation: Definition: not normal Anagram of(restoration) PLAY IN 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: Drink most commonly sold in bars (9)	### Answer: CHOCOLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Drink,most commonly sold in bars Double defn: 1st: The (liquid) drink made from cocoa; and 2nd: the solid form commonly sold in the shape of bars, not to be confused with bars that serve drinks. Nice surface. It could be a single cryptic defn. depending on how different one considers the liquid from the solid form.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Put hold on the picture – it's a wrap! (9)	### Answer: CLINGFILM ### Explanation: Definition: it's a wrap CLING(verb to hold on to,stick to) placed before(put…on, in a down clue) FILM(moving pictures,movie) Defn: Modern plastic product used mainly in the kitchen, but outside it as well, as an airtight wrap, not to be confused with the movie director's jargon, to be satisfied with what's been filmed, and thus no more re-takes of a scene. 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: Lose wind when seeking muddy shoal in Cheshire estuary (7)	### Answer: DEFLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Lose wind FLAT(sand bank in shallow water,muddy shoal, commonly found in eg. an estuary) contained in(seeking…in) DEE(the estuary in Cheshire where the river Dee flows into the sea). Another 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: T.S. Eliot play shows understatement (7)	### Answer: LITOTES ### Explanation: Definition: understatement Anagram of(play) T.S.ELIOT. Defn: An understatement playing down on affirmation. Would I not be wrong in saying that the English are generally not bad at using understatements?
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: There's merit in unhappy endings (7)	### Answer: TERMINI ### Explanation: Definition: endings Anagram of(unhappy) MERIT 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: Describing a boom in the travel industry once (5)	### Answer: SONIC ### Explanation: Definition: Describing a boom in the travel industry once Cryptic defn: The boom that one gets when an airplane breaks the sound barrier, once heard in the aviation travel industry when the Concorde flew passengers at supersonic speed.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Share out a tax rise (5)	### Answer: ALLOT ### Explanation: Definition: Share out A plus reversal of(rise) TOLL(tax,levy)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Someone expecting the mob, tore off (6-2-2)	### Answer: MOTHER-TO-BE ### Explanation: Definition: Someone expecting Anagram of(off) THE MOB TORE Defn: Someone expecting a baby
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 boy is pleased (4)	### Answer: GLAD ### Explanation: Definition: pleased G($$g$$ood) LAD(boy)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Legal advisers authorised other ranks to interrupt distress call (10)	### Answer: SOLICITORS ### Explanation: Definition: Legal advisers [LICIT(legal,authorised) OR($$o$$ther $$r$$anks,soldiers)] contained in(to interrupt) SOS(international distress call)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Flipping insect bite (4)	### Answer: TANG ### Explanation: Definition: bite Reversal of(flipping) GNAT(winged insect) Defn: A strong pungent or sharp taste, which will bite,sting the tongue.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Met one's clique for contentment (12)	### Answer: SATISFACTION ### Explanation: Definition: contentment SAT(held a meeting,met, as in "parliament sat/met") IS(Roman numeral for 1 plus 's,one's) FACTION(a clique within a group)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Medication sorted out Gail's acne (9)	### Answer: ANALGESIC ### Explanation: Definition: Medication Anagram of(sorted out) GAIL'S ACNE Defn: Commonly known as a painkiller
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Student in a temper rejected composer (5)	### Answer: ELGAR ### Explanation: Definition: composer L($$l$$earner,student) contained in(in) reversal of(rejected) RAGE(a temper,going ballistic)
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 receives a bit of light from the sun (5)	### Answer: SOLAR ### Explanation: Definition: from the sun SOAR(to rise above,tower over) containing(receives) L(initial letter,a bit of the word "light")
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Dan turned awkward when unwanted (9)	### Answer: REDUNDANT ### Explanation: Definition: unwanted Anagram of(awkward) DAN TURNED
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Listen to top management or meet disaster (2,2,3,5)	### Answer: GO BY THE BOARD ### Explanation: Definition: meet disaster GO BY(act according to,listen to) THE BOARD(the group of people at the top of a company's management) Defn: When something meets disaster,is ruined,discarded,rejected,aborted as what happens when you throw something overboard a ship.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: United draw with Dutch (4)	### Answer: TIED ### Explanation: Definition: United TIE(draw,level score/placing) D($$D$$utch). 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: A medic admits speculation of mercenary (10)	### Answer: ADVENTURER ### Explanation: Definition: mercenary A DR(abbrev. for doctor,medic) containing (admits) VENTURE(a risky project,a speculation)
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Classical suicide achieved nothing (4)	### Answer: DIDO ### Explanation: Definition: Classical suicide DID(achieved) O(the letter that looks like zero,nothing) Defn: Legendary,classical queen of Carthage who committed suicide.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Disheartened when fighter aircraft with corrosion gets admired (10)	### Answer: FRUSTRATED ### Explanation: Definition: Disheartened F(military designation for fighter aircraft) plus(with) RUST(what's left after corrosion) plus(gets) RATED(implicitly highly rated,admired) Defn: You would be disheartened if someone/something frustrated 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: Service graduate's Sierra (4)	### Answer: MASS ### Explanation: Definition: Service MA($$M$$aster of $$A$$rts degree gained by a graduate) S(for Sierra in the phonetic alphabet) Defn: Religious service in a church
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Instruct archer (4)	### Answer: TELL ### Explanation: Definition: Instruct,archer Double defn: 1st: To tell someone what to do,instruct; and 2nd: William, the legendary Swiss archer
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Former coppers judge dealers' standard (8,4)	### Answer: EXCHANGE RATE ### Explanation: Definition: dealers' standard EX(former, as in ex-spouse) CHANGE(loose coins in your pocket, presumably pennies or cents, called coppers as copper is what they used to be made of) RATE(to judge,assess) Defn: The standard by which one currency is measured against another, ie. the exchange rate, which foreign exchange dealers use in their work.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: "All together", pharaoh briefly put on note (5)	### Answer: TUTTI ### Explanation: Definition: "All together" TUT(short,briefly for pharaoh Tutankhamun) placed before(put on, in a down clue) TI(one of the syllables representing a note in the musical scale, between "la" and "do". Defn: All instruments and voices together in concert music. Amusing 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: Undressed without a grimace? That's brazen (9)	### Answer: BAREFACED ### Explanation: Definition: brazen BARED(past tense of the verb to bare,undress) containing(without) FACE(a facial expression,grimace, as in "to make a face at someone who's annoyed you" Defn: Unconcealed or shameless,brazen (of brass), as in "a barefaced lie"
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 having meal and gin cocktail (7,3)	### Answer: LEADING MAN ### Explanation: Definition: Star Anagram of(cocktail) MEAL AND GIN
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Go back on one's promise? That's raised during engagement. It's ignoble! (10)	### Answer: DEGENERATE ### Explanation: Definition: ignoble Reversal of(that's raised) RENEGE(to go back on one's promise, from "renegade") contained in(during) DATE(an appointment,engagement,encounter usually of a social kind
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 puts words into the mouths of those to be shot (12)	### Answer: SCREENWRITER ### Explanation: Definition: One puts words into the mouths of those to be shot Cryptic defn: The one who writes the lines to be spoken,puts words into the mouths, of movie actors,those to be shot,filmed.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Doctor dares fight, being prescient (3-7)	### Answer: FAR-SIGHTED ### Explanation: Definition: prescient Anagram of(doctor) DARES FIGHT Defn: Descriptive of a visionary,one who anticipates events. Not to be confused with the condition, usually associated with aging eyes, of seeing things further away more clearly than nearer ones, hence requiring the usage of reading glasses.
You are an expert level solver of cryptic crosswords. You are presented with a clue as input. Respond with the answer and explanation.	### Clue: Charlady gets money from livelihood (5,5)	### Answer: DAILY BREAD ### Explanation: Definition: livelihood DAILY(charlady,one who comes to clean up daily) plus(gets) BREAD(slang for money, similar to dough) Defn: Livelihood,occupation which gives one the money to live on. The Oriental equivalent is the "rice bowl".

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

### Clue: Daughter put in petrol after vehicle turned back? That's not to be reported (3,6)

### Answer: SUB JUDICE ### Explanation: Definition: not to be reported {D($$d$$aughter) **contained in**(put in) JUICE(slang for energy,petrol)} **placed after**(after) **reversal of**(turned back) BUS(mass transport vehicle) Defn: From Latin, "under judgement", meaning that a case is under consideration by a judge or court, and since he/she/they haven't made up his/her/their minds, there can't be public discussion of the pending case, ie. such comments are not to be reported.

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

### Clue: Italian child ignoring no Disney film (5)

### Answer: BAMBI ### Explanation: Definition: Disney film BAMBIno(Italian for baby,small child) **minus**(ignoring) "no". Defn: Tear-jerking animation film from early Disney Studios

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

### Clue: Judge again finding donkeys in half of resort (8)

### Answer: REASSESS ### Explanation: Definition: Judge again ASSES(donkeys) **contained in**(finding…in) RES(half of the letters in the word "resort"). 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: Material, we hear, moved to and fro (6)

### Answer: SWAYED ### Explanation: Definition: moved to and fro **Homophone of**(we hear) suede(material with a velvet-like nap made from leather)

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

### Clue: Last to be taken by the devil? (8)

### Answer: HINDMOST ### Explanation: Definition: Last to be taken by the devil? Cryptic defn: From the phrase: "Let the devil take the hindmost", meaning "every man for himself", and if you're last that's just too bad – you're left to be taken by the devil.

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 a substitute to tolerate wrongdoing? (6,2)

### Answer: STANDS IN ### Explanation: Definition: Is a substitute STAND(bear,stomach,tolerate) SIN(wrongdoing)

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 woman liked it here? Not entirely (5)

### Answer: EDITH ### Explanation: Definition: A woman **Hidden in**(not entirely) likED IT Here

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### Clue: However synchronised (2,3,4,4)

### Answer: AT THE SAME TIME ### Explanation: Definition: However,synchronised Double defn: 1st: But,however,on the other hand,still; and 2nd: Together,synchronised

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

### Clue: Clever Dick's alias? (5,4)

### Answer: SMART ALEC ### Explanation: Definition: Clever Dick's alias? Cryptic defn: Another eponym,alias for a person who irritates because he/she is, or thinks he/she is too smart, a clever Dick

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

### Clue: Five argue excitedly, becoming more unclear (6)

### Answer: VAGUER ### Explanation: Definition: more unclear V(Roman numeral for five) **plus anagram of**(excitedly) ARGUE

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### Clue: Salad ingredient artist put on plate (6)

### Answer: RADISH ### Explanation: Definition: Salad ingredient RA(artist,member of the $$R$$oyal $$A$$cademy) **placed before**(put on) DISH(plate)

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

### Clue: Kipling's work — only a plea for help, right? (4,2,7)

### Answer: JUST SO STORIES ### Explanation: Definition: Kipling's work JUST(merely,only as in "we are just wasting our time here") SOS(international acronym for a plea for help) TORIES(members of the British Conservative Party, considered to at the right end of the political spectrum compared to the Labour left) Defn: Series of stories by Rudyard Kipling, fantastic tales of the origin of things, eg. how the camel got his hump. The phrase is also used to describe, as a criticism of, unverifiable and unfalsifiable narrative explanations put forward for eg. a cultural practice, a biological trait or human or animal behaviour.

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

### Clue: Bird joining football team in bloomers (9)

### Answer: LARKSPURS ### Explanation: Definition: bloomers LARK(a songbird) **plus**(joining) SPURS(short for Tottenham Hotspurs, one of the London football teams)

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

### Clue: Card game with two spirits? Goodness gracious! (3,5)

### Answer: GIN RUMMY ### Explanation: Definition: Card game GIN RUM(two spirits,liquors) MY(as in Oh my!,goodness gracious me!)

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

### Clue: Cambridge eccentric losing male budgerigar, for example (4,4)

### Answer: CAGE BIRD ### Explanation: Definition: budgerigar, for example **Anagram of**(eccentric) CABRIDGE("Cambridge" **minus**(losing) the letter M,$$m$$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: Shutter, so to speak, that's not so far away (6)

### Answer: CLOSER ### Explanation: Definition: not so far away Whimsy(so to speak) of "shut" = "close" so "shutter" = "closer"

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

### Clue: Dancing bear is from this country (6)

### Answer: SERBIA ### Explanation: Definition: country **Anagram of**(dancing) BEAR IS

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

### Clue: Joint that's given to someone who has to leave (5)

### Answer: ELBOW ### Explanation: Definition: Joint that's given to someone who has to leave Cryptic defn: From the phrase "to give someone the elbow" meaning to get rid of,make someone whom you want to go,who has to leave, go

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 large in glee" misconstrues Hamlet's plot (7,5)

### Answer: VILLAGE GREEN ### Explanation: Definition: Hamlet's plot **Anagram of**(misconstrues) V($$v$$ery) LARGE IN GLEE Defn: The communal plot of land found in old hamlets,villages,small towns, where cricket matches against neighbouring villages, fetes, and other community events would be held. Very enjoyable and clever misdirection

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 to secure new, extravagant place (7)

### Answer: INSTALL ### Explanation: Definition: place IS **containing**(to secure) N($$n$$ew) **plus** TALL(excessive,extravagant, as in "a tall order", "a tall tale")

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 unfit with belly layer (7)

### Answer: STRATUM ### Explanation: Anagram of**(unfit) STAR **plus**(with) TUM(tummy,short for stomach,belly)

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### Clue: Dodgy doctor stashing drugs in some department (4,3)

### Answer: COTE DOR ### Explanation: Definition: some department **Anagram of**(dodgy) DOCTOR **containing**(stashing) E(drugs,specifically $$E$$cstasy) Defn: A French adminstrative area in eastern France, famous for its Burgundy wines, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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### Clue: Country person of vulgar habits heading off sometime soon (7)

### Answer: LEBANON ### Explanation: Definition: Country LEB{("pleb" is short for "plebeian",coarse vulgar person, **minus** its initial letter(heading off), "p"} ANON(in a while,sometime soon)

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

### Clue: Buried during ancient city's catastrophic end (5)

### Answer: UNDER ### Explanation: Definition: Buried **Anagram of**(catastrophic) END **contained in**(during) UR(ancient city in what is now south Iraq)

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

### Clue: Nervous Shakespeare women dismissed with some banter (3,2,4)

### Answer: ILL AT EASE ### Explanation: Definition: Nervous ILL{short for $$Will$$iam Shakespeare **minus**(dismissed) the letter "w",women} **plus**(with) A TEASE(one of things one might say,banter to jokingly annoy somebody)

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

### Clue: With sixth sense they leap in dance across time (9)

### Answer: TELEPATHY ### Explanation: Definition: sixth sense **Anagram of**(in dance) THEY LEAP **containing**(across) T($$t$$ime) Defn: The noun for the elusive and illusive ability to transmit and receive thought across space without the help of any of the other five senses.

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 propels boat south – men at oar (5)

### Answer: SCREW ### Explanation: Definition: What propels boat S($$s$$outh) CREW(the men working the oars)

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### Clue: Expect payment where hospital refused to perform surgery (7)

### Answer: OPERATE ### Explanation: Definition: to perform surgery OPE{"hope",expect **minus**(refused) the letter "h",hospital} RATE(payment,charge)

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

### Clue: Nobleman given honour as something of a listener (7)

### Answer: EARLOBE ### Explanation: Definition: something of a listener EARL(nobleman) **plus**(given) OBE{$$O$$fficer of the Order of the $$B$$ritish $$E$$mpire, an honour given to chosen British subjects by the Queen (or King)}. An amusing surface of an earl being honoured for being a good listener. Defn: The fleshy part of the ear,listener. One of the common parts of the anatomy for decoration/mutilation.

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### Clue: Demonstrators in rain? (7)

### Answer: SHOWERS ### Explanation: Definition: Demonstrators,in rain Double defn: 1st: A rarely-used noun from the verb to show,demonstrate; perhaps just as well since the slang meaning is somewhat embarrassing.

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### Clue: Thomas for one infected, cold caught (7)

### Answer: SCEPTIC ### Explanation: Definition: Thomas for one SEPTIC(infected, eg. as open wounds could be unless treated with antiseptic medicine) **containing**(caught) C($$c$$old, as would be seen on your bathroom taps) Defn: What the Biblical Doubting Thomas was.

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

### Clue: Potter's work in poem has pun that's awful (3-9)

### Answer: ONE-UPMANSHIP ### Explanation: Definition: Potter's work **Anagram of**(that's awful) IN POEM HAS PUN Defn: Book by Stephen Potter (1900-1969), a spoofy "self-help" book on how to be one-up on the other guy. Other of his books include "Gamesmanship", "Lifemanship","Supermanship" and "The Complete Golf Gamesmanship".

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### Clue: Caligula's sex position many came to see (7)

### Answer: VISITED ### Explanation: Definition: came to see VI(Roman, of which Caligula was one, numeral for six,sex in Latin, which Caligula undoubtedly spoke) SITE(location,position) D(Roman numeral for 500,many). Excellent misdirection and an anti-climax, as you might say, after figuring it out.

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### Clue: Heroic lover with piercing eye (7)

### Answer: LEANDER ### Explanation: Definition: Heroic lover AND(in addition to,with) **contained in**(piercing) LEER(to look at,eye with lascivious interest, as associated, rightly or wrongly, with "dirty old men") Defn: Mythical lover of Hero, thus Heroic lover.

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 on Annapurna gets ill – right to receive treatment and physician (9)

### Answer: ALLERGIST ### Explanation: Definition: physician A(first letter,leader of $$A$$nnapurna) **plus** **anagram of**(to receive treatment) [GETS ILL **plus** R($$r$$ight)]

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### Clue: Artistic support for treacherous person beheaded (5)

### Answer: EASEL ### Explanation: Definition: Artistic support EASEL{"weasel",untrustworthy,treacherous person **minus** its first letter(beheaded), "w"} Defn: Whimsical definition of that which supports the artist's canvas

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

### Clue: Cheese on toast provides unusually good mouthful (7)

### Answer: RAREBIT ### Explanation: Definition: Cheese on toast RARE(unusually good,excellent) BIT(mouthful,what you've bitten off)

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### Clue: Sent into stormily sea-girt land (7)

### Answer: ESTONIA ### Explanation: Definition: land **Anagram of**(stormily) SEA **containing**(girt) **anagram of**(sent) INTO

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### Clue: Rude Posh attends dance club, sure to get thrown out (12)

### Answer: DISCOURTEOUS ### Explanation: Definition: Rude U(posh,$$u$$pper-class) **contained in**(attends) {DISCO(dance club rampant in the 70s) **plus** **anagram of**(get thrown out) SURE TO}

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

### Clue: Reckon why men worked with tool (6-6)

### Answer: MONKEY-WRENCH ### Explanation: Definition: tool **Anagram of**(worked) RECKON WHY MEN

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### Clue: Parishioner's poem sung for each boy (9)

### Answer: LAYPERSON ### Explanation: Definition: Parishioner LAY(poem, especially one to be sung) PER(for each, as in per capita, per annum, etc) SON(boy)

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

### Clue: Told Porky to have some rest (3-4)

### Answer: LIE-DOWN ### Explanation: Definition: some rest LIED(told porky,a lie) OWN(to have,possess)

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### Clue: Man almost catches delayed plane (7)

### Answer: PLATEAU ### Explanation: Definition: plane PAU{"Paul", a man's name or sometimes an octopus's, **minus** its last letter(almost), "l"} **containing**(catches) LATE(past the expected/due time,delayed) Defn: A flat level surface or a figurative level of attainment, as in "he's plateaued/levelled out in his musical performance."

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### Clue: Terrifying sound rocks Switzerland (7)

### Answer: SCREECH ### Explanation: Definition: Terrifying sound SCREE(a mass of broken rocks on the side of a mountain) CH(IVR code for Switzerland, from the French "$$C$$onfédération $$H$$elvétique" – I had always wondered about that)

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

### Clue: Vase for standing contains nothing in high place (7)

### Answer: ROOFTOP ### Explanation: Definition: high place **Reversal of**(standing, in a down clue) of [POT(vase, perhaps more elegant in looks than a common garden pot) **plus** FOR] **containing**(contains) O(letter that looks like zero, therefore used to stand for nothing)

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

### Clue: Mares would triumph here, in sleep so monstrous (5)

### Answer: EPSOM ### Explanation: Definition: Mares would triumph here **Hidden in**(in) sleEP SO Monstrous Defn: The racecourse, Epsom Downs, in Surrey, England where the annual Derby is held. I assume mares have their fair share of triumphs at Epsom.

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### Clue: Writer shares out novel development (9)

### Answer: AUTHORESS ### Explanation: Definition: Writer **Anagram of**(novel development) SHARES OUT

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### Clue: Flight path incomplete (4)

### Answer: ROUT ### Explanation: Definition: Flight Path,route **minus** its last letter,incomplete Defn: An overwhelming defeat accompanied by flight,dispersal of the defeated

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### Clue: Successfully manage an abduction? (5,3)

### Answer: CARRY OFF ### Explanation: Definition: Successfully manage,an abduction Double defn: 1st: Successfully manage, say,?, an abduction; and 2nd: Abduct someone without consent, usually by force.

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### Clue: A man's entitled to them, but they're not left to son (6)

### Answer: RIGHTS ### Explanation: Definition: A man's entitled to them RIGHT(not left) **plus**(to) S($$s$$on)

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### Clue: Bring the match alive with shot at goal (6)

### Answer: STRIKE ### Explanation: Definition: Bring the match alive,shot at goal Double defn: 1st: What you do to light,bring alive, a matchstick

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

### Clue: Frighten with errors and bloomers (8)

### Answer: COWSLIPS ### Explanation: Definition: bloomers COW(intimidate,frighten) **plus** SLIPS(mistakes,errors) Defn: Plant with white and yellow flowers,bloomers, not to be confused with its relation, the oxlip, another crossword staple.

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

### Clue: Detectives in US agency retired, remaining sharp (6)

### Answer: ACIDIC ### Explanation: Definition: remaining sharp CID($$C$$riminal $$I$$nvestigation $$D$$epartment, filled with detectives) **contained in**(in) **reversal of**(retired) CIA(the US $$C$$entral $$I$$ntelligence $$A$$gency)

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

### Clue: Put on heavy music symbolic of Ireland (8)

### Answer: SHAMROCK ### Explanation: Definition: symbolic of Ireland SHAM(fake,put on) **plus**(on) ROCK(heavy music) Defn: Symbol of Ireland, together with leprechauns and Guinness?

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

### Clue: The kindly feeling of its beneficiaries? (8)

### Answer: GOODWILL ### Explanation: Definition: The kindly feeling Cryptic defn: The beneficiaries of a GOOD WILL, descriptive of one with no nasty surprises, such as a "beneficiary" being left $1, will show a lot of GOODWILL all round.

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 by itself is only a gradual process (6)

### Answer: LITTLE ### Explanation: Definition: This by itself is only a gradual process Cryptic defn: This, the word LITTLE ***plus ***by ***plus*** itself, the word LITTLE, ie. "little by little" denotes a gradual process. Edit.note: to make my intended meaning clearer in view of comment#1.

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

### Clue: Shadow boxing, a contest between fighters? (8)

### Answer: DOGFIGHT ### Explanation: Definition: a contest between fighters DOG(to follow,tail,shadow) FIGHT(one form of which is boxing) Defn: An aerial combat,contest between fighter planes. Hesitated a bit because of "fight" in both clue and answer.

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

### Clue: Feast on one's bed in the dormitory? (6)

### Answer: SPREAD ### Explanation: Definition: Feast,on one's bed in the dormitory Double defn: 1st: Food and drink,a feast spread large on the dining table; and 2nd: The ~~linen~~ cloth spread over one's bed, also known as a bedspread. Edit.note: Ditto as 19A

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

### Clue: Italian banger unfortunately going the wrong way joining the motorway (6)

### Answer: SALAMI ### Explanation: Definition: Italian banger **Reversal of**(going the wrong way) ALAS(unfortunately) **plus**(joining) MI(=M1, first major motorway in England, running north-south) Defn: Italian sausage,banger, not to be confused with banger = old car. 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: Substantial list includes gin cocktail (8)

### Answer: TANGIBLE ### Explanation: Definition: Substantial TABLE(list) **containing**(includes) **anagram of**(cocktail) GIN.

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 venerable name in our illustrious past (4)

### Answer: BEDE ### Explanation: Definition: A venerable name in our illustrious past Cryptic defn: 7/8C monk, Saint BEDE, our,English historian,a chronicler of the illustrious past, also known as the Venerable BEDE

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

### Clue: Stomach is churning — but he enjoys it! (9)

### Answer: MASOCHIST ### Explanation: Definition: he enjoys it **Anagram of**(churning) STOMACH IS. Defn: He who enjoys pain inflicted on himself, eg. when his stomach is churning, and whatever else there is! Yet another nice surface with intertwining definition and wordplay.

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

### Clue: Fit girl given bodybuilding exercises (5)

### Answer: ADAPT ### Explanation: Definition: Fit ADA(girl's name) **plus**(given) PT($$p$$hysical $$t$$raining,bodybuilding exercises perhaps) Defn: Verb, to fit into the environment or circumstances, as in "Adapt or die"

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

### Clue: Delayed sailor with dire consequences (7)

### Answer: TARRIED ### Explanation: Definition: Delayed TAR(sailor,tarpaulin) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(consequences) DIRE. Defn: Past tense of tarry,linger,delay.

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's put on weight – it's something in the air (5)

### Answer: OZONE ### Explanation: Definition: it's something in the air OZ(abbrev. for ounce,unit of weight in the Imperial system) **placed before**(put on) ONE Defn: An allotrope of the element oxygen with 3 instead of the common 2 atoms in a molecule, great for protecting earthly life against cosmic rays.

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

### Clue: Impressions left by the dead (7)

### Answer: EFFECTS ### Explanation: Definition: Impressions,left by the dead Double defn: 1st: The resulting effects,impressions, usually mental or emotional, on you when something, well, affects you. An example could be the consequential effect of someone's death,left by the dead; and 2nd: The personal effects of some person, left by him/her when he/she is dead, the subject of a 16A maybe.

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

### Clue: Idiot – to get tight and then dance (9)

### Answer: SCREWBALL ### Explanation: Definition: Idiot SCREW(verb, to tighten, using, say, a screwdriver; unsure about compatibility with the adjective "tight" in this case) **plus**(and then) BALL(an event with dancing and feasting mainly)

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

### Clue: Soldier's uniform? (7)

### Answer: REGULAR ### Explanation: Definition: Soldier,uniform Double defn: 1st: A fulltime soldier

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

### Clue: Restoration play in cut that's not normal (9)

### Answer: UNTYPICAL ### Explanation: Definition: not normal **Anagram of**(restoration) PLAY IN 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: Drink most commonly sold in bars (9)

### Answer: CHOCOLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Drink,most commonly sold in bars Double defn: 1st: The (liquid) drink made from cocoa; and 2nd: the solid form commonly sold in the shape of bars, not to be confused with bars that serve drinks. Nice surface. It could be a single cryptic defn. depending on how different one considers the liquid from the solid form.

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

### Clue: Put hold on the picture – it's a wrap! (9)

### Answer: CLINGFILM ### Explanation: Definition: it's a wrap CLING(verb to hold on to,stick to) **placed before**(put…on, in a down clue) FILM(moving pictures,movie) Defn: Modern plastic product used mainly in the kitchen, but outside it as well, as an airtight wrap, not to be confused with the movie director's jargon, to be satisfied with what's been filmed, and thus no more re-takes of a scene. 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: Lose wind when seeking muddy shoal in Cheshire estuary (7)

### Answer: DEFLATE ### Explanation: Definition: Lose wind FLAT(sand bank in shallow water,muddy shoal, commonly found in eg. an estuary) **contained in**(seeking…in) DEE(the estuary in Cheshire where the river Dee flows into the sea). Another 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: T.S. Eliot play shows understatement (7)

### Answer: LITOTES ### Explanation: Definition: understatement **Anagram of**(play) T.S.ELIOT. Defn: An understatement playing down on affirmation. Would I not be wrong in saying that the English are generally not bad at using understatements?

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

### Clue: There's merit in unhappy endings (7)

### Answer: TERMINI ### Explanation: Definition: endings **Anagram of**(unhappy) MERIT 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: Describing a boom in the travel industry once (5)

### Answer: SONIC ### Explanation: Definition: Describing a boom in the travel industry once Cryptic defn: The boom that one gets when an airplane breaks the sound barrier, once heard in the aviation travel industry when the Concorde flew passengers at supersonic speed.

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

### Clue: Share out a tax rise (5)

### Answer: ALLOT ### Explanation: Definition: Share out A **plus** **reversal of**(rise) TOLL(tax,levy)

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

### Clue: Someone expecting the mob, tore off (6-2-2)

### Answer: MOTHER-TO-BE ### Explanation: Definition: Someone expecting **Anagram of**(off) THE MOB TORE Defn: Someone expecting a baby

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 boy is pleased (4)

### Answer: GLAD ### Explanation: Definition: pleased G($$g$$ood) LAD(boy)

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

### Clue: Legal advisers authorised other ranks to interrupt distress call (10)

### Answer: SOLICITORS ### Explanation: Definition: Legal advisers [LICIT(legal,authorised) OR($$o$$ther $$r$$anks,soldiers)] **contained in**(to interrupt) SOS(international distress call)

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

### Clue: Flipping insect bite (4)

### Answer: TANG ### Explanation: Definition: bite **Reversal of**(flipping) GNAT(winged insect) Defn: A strong pungent or sharp taste, which will bite,sting the tongue.

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

### Clue: Met one's clique for contentment (12)

### Answer: SATISFACTION ### Explanation: Definition: contentment SAT(held a meeting,met, as in "parliament sat/met") IS(Roman numeral for 1 **plus** 's,one's) FACTION(a clique within a group)

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

### Clue: Medication sorted out Gail's acne (9)

### Answer: ANALGESIC ### Explanation: Definition: Medication **Anagram of**(sorted out) GAIL'S ACNE Defn: Commonly known as a painkiller

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

### Clue: Student in a temper rejected composer (5)

### Answer: ELGAR ### Explanation: Definition: composer L($$l$$earner,student) **contained in**(in) **reversal of**(rejected) RAGE(a temper,going ballistic)

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 receives a bit of light from the sun (5)

### Answer: SOLAR ### Explanation: Definition: from the sun SOAR(to rise above,tower over) **containing**(receives) L(initial letter,a bit of the word "light")

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

### Clue: Dan turned awkward when unwanted (9)

### Answer: REDUNDANT ### Explanation: Definition: unwanted **Anagram of**(awkward) DAN TURNED

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

### Clue: Listen to top management or meet disaster (2,2,3,5)

### Answer: GO BY THE BOARD ### Explanation: Definition: meet disaster GO BY(act according to,listen to) THE BOARD(the group of people at the top of a company's management) Defn: When something meets disaster,is ruined,discarded,rejected,aborted as what happens when you throw something overboard a ship.

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

### Clue: United draw with Dutch (4)

### Answer: TIED ### Explanation: Definition: United TIE(draw,level score/placing) D($$D$$utch). 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: A medic admits speculation of mercenary (10)

### Answer: ADVENTURER ### Explanation: Definition: mercenary A DR(abbrev. for doctor,medic) **containing** (admits) VENTURE(a risky project,a speculation)

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

### Clue: Classical suicide achieved nothing (4)

### Answer: DIDO ### Explanation: Definition: Classical suicide DID(achieved) O(the letter that looks like zero,nothing) Defn: Legendary,classical queen of Carthage who committed suicide.

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

### Clue: Disheartened when fighter aircraft with corrosion gets admired (10)

### Answer: FRUSTRATED ### Explanation: Definition: Disheartened F(military designation for fighter aircraft) **plus**(with) RUST(what's left after corrosion) **plus**(gets) RATED(implicitly highly rated,admired) Defn: You would be disheartened if someone/something frustrated 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: Service graduate's Sierra (4)

### Answer: MASS ### Explanation: Definition: Service MA($$M$$aster of $$A$$rts degree gained by a graduate) S(for Sierra in the phonetic alphabet) Defn: Religious service in a church

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

### Clue: Instruct archer (4)

### Answer: TELL ### Explanation: Definition: Instruct,archer Double defn: 1st: To tell someone what to do,instruct; and 2nd: William, the legendary Swiss archer

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

### Clue: Former coppers judge dealers' standard (8,4)

### Answer: EXCHANGE RATE ### Explanation: Definition: dealers' standard EX(former, as in ex-spouse) CHANGE(loose coins in your pocket, presumably pennies or cents, called coppers as copper is what they used to be made of) RATE(to judge,assess) Defn: The standard by which one currency is measured against another, ie. the exchange rate, which foreign exchange dealers use in their work.

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

### Clue: "All together", pharaoh briefly put on note (5)

### Answer: TUTTI ### Explanation: Definition: "All together" TUT(short,briefly for pharaoh Tutankhamun) **placed before**(put on, in a down clue) TI(one of the syllables representing a note in the musical scale, between "la" and "do". Defn: All instruments and voices together in concert music. Amusing 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: Undressed without a grimace? That's brazen (9)

### Answer: BAREFACED ### Explanation: Definition: brazen BARED(past tense of the verb to bare,undress) **containing**(without) FACE(a facial expression,grimace, as in "to make a face at someone who's annoyed you" Defn: Unconcealed or shameless,brazen (of brass), as in "a barefaced lie"

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 having meal and gin cocktail (7,3)

### Answer: LEADING MAN ### Explanation: Definition: Star **Anagram of**(cocktail) MEAL AND GIN

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

### Clue: Go back on one's promise? That's raised during engagement. It's ignoble! (10)

### Answer: DEGENERATE ### Explanation: Definition: ignoble **Reversal of**(that's raised) RENEGE(to go back on one's promise, from "renegade") **contained in**(during) DATE(an appointment,engagement,encounter usually of a social kind

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 puts words into the mouths of those to be shot (12)

### Answer: SCREENWRITER ### Explanation: Definition: One puts words into the mouths of those to be shot Cryptic defn: The one who writes the lines to be spoken,puts words into the mouths, of movie actors,those to be shot,filmed.

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

### Clue: Doctor dares fight, being prescient (3-7)

### Answer: FAR-SIGHTED ### Explanation: Definition: prescient **Anagram of**(doctor) DARES FIGHT Defn: Descriptive of a visionary,one who anticipates events. Not to be confused with the condition, usually associated with aging eyes, of seeing things further away more clearly than nearer ones, hence requiring the usage of reading glasses.

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

### Clue: Charlady gets money from livelihood (5,5)

### Answer: DAILY BREAD ### Explanation: Definition: livelihood DAILY(charlady,one who comes to clean up daily) **plus**(gets) BREAD(slang for money, similar to dough) Defn: Livelihood,occupation which gives one the money to live on. The Oriental equivalent is the "rice bowl".