Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Clumsy wicketkeeper breaks trophy (7) | AWKWARD | Definition: Clumsy
A(WK)WARD |
Japanese city huge – there's another name for it (5) | OSAKA | Japanese city huge – there's another name for it (5)
OS (outsize = "huge") + AKA (also known as = "there's another name for it") |
Swim where blind flyer loses two- thirds in height? (5) | BATHE | Definition: Swim
BAT + HE(ight) |
Undignified speech from Spain's foremost film director (5) | SLANG | Definition: Undignified speech
S(Spain's foremost) + (Fritz) LANG, German director who went on to be a Hollywood great. |
Cut a dash, largely, with a Spanish banker and promoter (10) | IMPRESARIO | Cut a dash, largely, with a Spanish banker and promoter (10)
IMPRES(s) + A RIO
RIO is Spanish for river, therfore a "Spanish banker" |
Fool expected to carry cash (4) | DUPE | Fool expected to carry cash (4)
DU(P)E
P = penny |
Splendour of chamberpot's representative (4) | POMP | Splendour of chamberpot's representative (4)
PO + M.P. |
Deliverance provided in washing (10) | ABSOLUTION | Deliverance provided in washing (10)
AB(SO)LUTION |
Light carriage initially badly laden (6) | CANDLE | Light carriage initially badly laden (6)
C(arriage) + *(laden) |
Fiancée's at home being looked after (8) | INTENDED | Fiancée's at home being looked after (8)
IN + TENDED |
Interned a girl working in military base (8) | PENTAGON | Interned a girl working in military base (8)
PENT + A + G + ON |
Mug bowled during play (4) | TOBY | Mug bowled during play (4)
TO(B)Y, as in a Toby jug |
Avuncular American entertained many a swindle (4) | SCAM | Avuncular American entertained many a swindle (4)
S(C)AM
"Avuncular American" is (Uncle) Sam
C = 100 ~ "many" |
Make too much of frequency of deliveries (8) | OVERRATE | Make too much of frequency of deliveries (8)
Double definition |
Ring up about unwanted baby's garment (8) | COVERALL | Ring up about unwanted baby's garment (8)
C(OVER)ALL |
Actually denied arrangement (6) | INDEED | Actually denied arrangement (6)
*(denied) |
Dead woman said to be heartbroken (10) | DEVASTATED | Dead woman said to be heartbroken (10)
D + EVA + STATED |
Kick oneself for storing small device (4) | RUSE | Kick oneself for storing small device (4)
RU(S)E |
Fish convulse when decapitated (4) | HAKE | Fish convulse when decapitated (4)
(s)HAKE |
Article coppers feel bitter about now (3,7) | THE PRESENT | Article coppers feel bitter about now (3,7)
THE + P + RESENT |
Heath needed time to make the berth (7) | MOORAGE | Heath needed time to make the berth (7)
MOOR + AGE |
Speedy coppers in surprise attack (5) | RAPID | Speedy coppers in surprise attack (5)
RA(P)ID |
Scottish leaders retaliate and clean up the streets (8) | SCAVENGE | Scottish leaders retaliate and clean up the streets (8)
SC(ottish) + AVENGE |
Rules out nastier play in dangerous game (7,8) | RUSSIAN ROULETTE | Rules out nastier play in dangerous game (7,8)
*(rules out nastier) |
Oscar got deflated by oriental recently (2,4) | OF LATE | Oscar got deflated by oriental recently (2,4)
O + FLAT + E |
Primer father keeps in school to read initially (9) | DETONATOR | Primer father keeps in school to read initially (9)
D(ETON)A + TO + R(ead) |
Saw pirate in lead (7) | PROVERB | Saw pirate in lead (7)
P(ROVER)B
Pb is the chemical symbol for lead |
Paddy consumed mild (9) | TEMPERATE | Paddy consumed mild (9)
TEMPER + ATE
A paddy is a rage, or a fit of temper |
Confuse when crazy in drink (8) | BEWILDER | Confuse when crazy in drink (8)
BE(WILD)ER |
Caught artist concealing depression and sickness (7) | CHOLERA | Caught artist concealing depression and sickness (7)
C(HOLE)R.A. |
Senator organised acts of betrayal (7) | TREASON | Senator organised acts of betrayal (7)
*(senator) |
A heartless sot in bed is over the hill (4,2) | PAST IT | A heartless sot in bed is over the hill (4,2)
P(A S(o)T)IT |
Moves quickly in board game (5) | DARTS | Moves quickly in board game (5)
Double definition |
Corresponding with latitude (8) | PARALLEL | Corresponding with latitude (8)
Double definition |
Prominently display score covering piano (6) | SPLASH | Prominently display score covering piano (6)
S(P)LASH |
Old crock keeps bar in a state (8) | REPUBLIC | Old crock keeps bar in a state (8)
RE(PUB)LIC |
Grey parrots getting fruit (6) | GRAPES | Grey parrots getting fruit (6)
Gr. + APES |
Serenity shown by George, eg, with complaint (9) | STILLNESS | Serenity shown by George, eg, with complaint (9)
ST-ILLNESS
ST is short for Saint, as in St George |
Bottle of spirit? (5) | HEART | Bottle of spirit? (5)
Double definition |
Doughnut with German miss (4) | OMIT | Doughnut with German miss (4)
O("doughnut")+MIT(German for "with") |
Leave bottles stocked primarily for end of meal (7) | DESSERT | Leave bottles stocked primarily for end of meal (7)
DES(S)ERT
S = "stocked primarily" |
French wine's guarantee coming with noble report (7) | ACCOUNT | French wine's guarantee coming with noble report (7)
A.C. + COUNT
A.C. is "appellation contrôlée", the system which within France designates and controls the names especially of wine, but also of cognac, armagnac, calvados and some foods, guaranteeing the authenticity of the producing region and the methods of production, and which outside France protects the generic names from misappropriation (from the Chambers website) |
Make fun of English set defining conventional behaviour (4) | CODE | Make fun of English set defining conventional behaviour (4)
COD-E |
Pirate returned to Android machine (5) | ROBOT | Pirate returned to Android machine (5)
ROB + <=OT |
Delight in cooked meats used with menu (9) | AMUSEMENT | Delight in cooked meats used with menu (9)
*(meats menu) |
In chakalaka and fricadel there's a taste of —— (6) | AFRICA | In chakalaka and fricadel there's a taste of —— (6)
Hidden in chakalakA FRICAdel.
Hate this clue; the "and" between "chakalaka" and "fricadel" is just wrong. Could easily have been resolved by adding a third ingredient, so for example:
In chakalaka, fricadel and biltong, there's a taste of …….(6) |
Walk on this street with soldiers going through exercises (8) | PAVEMENT | Walk on this street with soldiers going through exercises (8)
P(AVE-MEN)T
PT = physical training = "exercises"
AVE~"street" |
One invested in exotic saree which is lighter (6) | EASIER | One invested in exotic saree which is lighter (6)
I("one") in *(saree) |
Bored? Take fewer breaks (8) | RESTLESS | Bored? Take fewer breaks (8)
Double definition |
Model perhaps going topless would make this expression (6) | PHRASE | Model perhaps going topless would make this expression (6)
*(erhaps) ("perhaps going topless") |
Restore resort (6) | REPAIR | Restore resort (6)
Double definition |
Tag left on early murder victim (5) | LABEL | Tag left on early murder victim (5)
L-ABEL |
I have put up with depression, that's clear (7) | EVIDENT | I have put up with depression, that's clear (7)
<=I'VE + DENT |
Bought seat, so we're told, like editor (9) | PURCHASED | Bought seat, so we're told, like editor (9)
(homophone of PERCH??) + AS ED
I've said it before, but I hate homophones, especially ones like this. I'm Scottish, so as far as I am concerned this doesn't work (I suppose there may be some places where this works) |
Letters in order for this type of soup (8) | ALPHABET | Letters in order for this type of soup (8)
Double definition |
Delay from His Excellency – nation is invaded by India (8) | HESITATE | Delay from His Excellency – nation is invaded by India (8)
H.E. + S(I)TATE
H.E. = "His Excellency"
I = "India" |
Took a break without Dad – that's not new (4) | USED | Took a break without Dad – that's not new (4)
(PA)USED |
Chaos with mute playing up – Groucho's identifying feature (9) | MOUSTACHE | Chaos with mute playing up – Groucho's identifying feature (9)
*(chaos mute) |
Vehicle, say, bearing rising transport costs (8) | CARRIAGE | Vehicle, say, bearing rising transport costs (8)
CAR + <=E.G. AIR |
Top British units identifying shipping hazards (8) | ICEBERGS | Top British units identifying shipping hazards (8)
ICE-B-ERGS
ICE = "top" as in "ice a cake", I presume
ERG = unit of work |
Grab meal with mother finally (4) | TEAR | Grab meal with mother finally (4)
TEA + (mothe)R |
Pluck power from uprising madness (7) | COURAGE | Pluck power from uprising madness (7)
COU(p) + RAGE |
Forbidding churchman set up in bishop's office (6) | SEVERE | Forbidding churchman set up in bishop's office (6)
SE(<=REV)E |
Short fact on American position (6) | STATUS | Short fact on American position (6)
STAT(istic) + U.S. |
Do just tons (5) | EVENT | Do just tons (5)
EVEN-T |
Unexpected teacher is being nosy, reportedly (8) | SURPRISE | Unexpected teacher is being nosy, reportedly (8)
Homophone of SIR PRIES |
Topic – dull, I hesitate to say (6) | MATTER | Topic – dull, I hesitate to say (6)
MATT-ER |
Staple food cut short – revolutionary opens holy books? Movement hard to predict! (8) | RICOCHET | Staple food cut short – revolutionary opens holy books? Movement hard to predict! (8)
RIC(e) + O(CHE)T
CHE – Che Guevara |
Restricted by Lambeth: a nerve gas (6) | ETHANE | Restricted by Lambeth: a nerve gas (6)
Hidden in (ie "restricted by") "LambETH A NErve" |
Our group way before time missing answer – a blow (8) | WESTERLY | Our group way before time missing answer – a blow (8)
WE ("our group" + ST + E(a)RLY |
Charm stubborn guy overwhelmed by thanks on return (6) | AMULET | Charm stubborn guy overwhelmed by thanks on return (6)
MULE in <=TA |
Control travel before Jules welcomes African party (10) | GOVERNANCE | Control travel before Jules welcomes African party (10)
GO – VERN(A.N.C.)E
A.N.C. = African National Congress |
Mainsail it's adapted for Naples usage? (10) | ITALIANISM | Mainsail it's adapted for Naples usage? (10)
*(mainsail it) |
Prince in cold alien house (6) | CHALET | Prince in cold alien house (6)
C(HAL)E.T. |
No aid in sight if this is used? (5,3) | NAKED EYE | No aid in sight if this is used? (5,3)
Cryptic definition |
Piece cut, small, as it happens, right! (6) | SLIVER | Piece cut, small, as it happens, right! (6)
S-LIVE-R |
Aunt's tip: loose clothing (8) | PANTSUIT | Aunt's tip: loose clothing (8)
*(aunt's tip) |
Agile Northern Ireland doctor backed by the French (6) | NIMBLE | Agile Northern Ireland doctor backed by the French (6)
N.I. + MB + LE
MB = *Medicinae Baccalaureus* (Bachelor of Medicine) |
Husband getting attention on the double? Well said! (4,4) | HEAR HEAR | Husband getting attention on the double? Well said! (4,4)
H + EAR (twice) |
Vacated shop lacking refinement and left urban area (6) | SPRAWL | Vacated shop lacking refinement and left urban area (6)
S(ho)P-RAW-L |
Break ranks, expecting charge; exclude some soldiers initially (6) | RECESS | Break ranks, expecting charge; exclude some soldiers initially (6)
Initials of "**R**anks, **E**xpecting **C**harge; **E**xclude **S**ome **S**oldiers" |
It is used in court fraud (6) | RACKET | It is used in court fraud (6)
Double definition |
Time limit for having one's attention held (10) | SPELLBOUND | Time limit for having one's attention held (10)
SPELL-BOUND |
Element opposed to non- English currency (8) | ANTIMONY | Element opposed to non- English currency (8)
ANTI-MON(e)Y |
Country lad in hat running (8) | THAILAND | Country lad in hat running (8)
*(lad in hat) |
Green ton? Wrong scientific unit! (8) | ROENTGEN | Green ton? Wrong scientific unit! (8)
*(green ton) |
Reduce intensity after 1st of December: cease cooking in evening? (2-8) | DE-ESCALATE | Reduce intensity after 1st of December: cease cooking in evening? (2-8)
D(ecember)+*(cease)+LATE |
Bishop Dai coaches Shaun regularly (8) | DIOCESAN | Bishop Dai coaches Shaun regularly (8)
Letters taken regularly from **D**a**I**c**O**a**C**h**E**s**S**h**A**u**N |
Model soldier dropped cutting remark, maladroit originally (8) | PARADIGM | Model soldier dropped cutting remark, maladroit originally (8)
PARA-DIG-M(aladroit) |
Relating to star team, one from Madrid? (8) | SIDEREAL | Relating to star team, one from Madrid? (8)
SIDE + REAL (Madrid) |
Fine story featuring Greek (6) | NESTOR | Fine story featuring Greek (6)
Hidden in "fiNE STORy" |
Wine lover disheartened nurse? (6) | BEAUNE | Wine lover disheartened nurse? (6)
BEAU+N(urs)E
Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy |
Restrict free rambling around motorcycle races (6) | FETTER | Restrict free rambling around motorcycle races (6)
T.T. in *(free)
T.T. = Tourist Trophy (motorcycle races on the Isle of Man) |
An awful cost 19 21 23 paradoxically settles? (4,2,3) | HELL TO PAY | Definition: An awful cost
A cost to be paid for by the wages of sin (see 19 21 23) |
Arrangement has TV in higher place (3,2) | SET UP | Definition: Arrangement
SET ("TV") + UP |
Port or schnapps essentially brought round by twit (7) | ANTWERP | Definition: Port
<=(sch(NA)pps) + TWERP |
Musical rook, on piano, in basket (7) | PANNIER | Definition: basket
P-ANNIE-R |
Swimmer takes part in elite training (5) | TETRA | Definition: Swimmer
Hidden in "eliTE TRAining"
A tetra is a tropical fish, often seen in fish tanks. |
Supporter free European's held back for example (9) | RIDGEPOLE | Definition: Supporte
RID (<=E.G.) POLE |
Drink from nipple endlessly (3) | TEA | Definition: Drink
TEA(t) |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.