Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
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|---|---|---|
Frank unswerving in control (6) | DIRECT | Frank unswerving in control (6)
Triple definition |
Metal found by Zulu in African city (3) | FEZ | Metal found by Zulu in African city (3)
Fe (iron) + Z |
Conservative and I go out with runner (9) | CANDIDATE | Conservative and I go out with runner (9)
C AND I DATE |
Malicious Lil? (3-8) | ILL-DISPOSED | Malicious Lil? (3-8)
Reverse anagram.
LIL is ILL disposed |
Self-centred person come again to party (9) | EGOMANIAC | Self-centred person come again to party (9)
*(come again) |
Manage comfortably in vale (8) | FAREWELL | Manage comfortably in vale (8)
FARE WELL
VALE is the Latin for "farewell" |
Worthless person who has joined religious group (6) | INSECT | Worthless person who has joined religious group (6)
IN SECT |
Former soldiers turned on English man (5) | STEVE | Former soldiers turned on English man (5)
<=VETS + E |
Safeguard for example, aluminium going back in plane's body (8) | FUSELAGE | Safeguard for example, aluminium going back in plane's body (8)
FUSE ("safeguard" – in a plug, for example) + <=E.G. AL ("for example, aluminium") |
Real quiet bloke with lasso? (6) | PROPER | Real quiet bloke with lasso? (6)
P("quiet") + ROPER ("bloke with lasso") |
Husband's tucked in so watch revamped programme? (4,4) | CHAT SHOW | Husband's tucked in so watch revamped programme? (4,4)
H ("husband") in *(so watch) |
Knowing a thing or two animal finally scarpered (6) | SHREWD | Knowing a thing or two animal finally scarpered (6)
SHREW ("animal") + D ("finally (i.e. end of) "scarpered") |
Public looked attentive (4-4) | OPEN-EYED | Public looked attentive (4-4)
OPEN ("public") + EYED ("looked") |
From South Africa I will follow distant expedition (6) | SAFARI | From South Africa I will follow distant expedition (6)
S.A. ("from South Africa") + FAR folloed by I |
He must heal sick old man with bottle (10) | METHUSELAH | He must heal sick old man with bottle (10)
*(he must heal) and 2 definitions |
Good bread (so some say) while argon welding (10) | WHOLEGRAIN | Good bread (so some say) while argon welding (10)
*(while argon) |
Team found inside motel eventually (6) | ELEVEN | Team found inside motel eventually (6)
hidden in "motEL EVENtually" |
Space? It's prepared for one mad on getting away (8) | ESCAPIST | Space? It's prepared for one mad on getting away (8)
*(space its) |
We make a crowd? Divorcees grabbing pictures, say, back (6) | EXTRAS | We make a crowd? Divorcees grabbing pictures, say, back (6)
<=ART ("pictures, say) grabbed by EX'S ("divorcees")
Wasn't sure about this as EX'S looks clumsy as a plural, but according to my Chambers, EX'S is acceptable as a plural? |
Little hubbub in Paris, I imagine, for lamb cut (8) | NOISETTE | Little hubbub in Paris, I imagine, for lamb cut (8)
Play on words. If NOISE is a hubbub, then a NOISETTE is a little hubbub? |
Pack an ostentatious way of going, we hear (6) | SACHET | Pack an ostentatious way of going, we hear (6)
homophone of SASHAY ("ostentatious way of going") |
Doctor met with large message (8) | TELEGRAM | Doctor met with large message (8)
*(met large) |
Female thespian could be an influence (6) | FACTOR | Female thespian could be an influence (6)
F ("female") + ACTOR ("thespian") |
Sun hell? —– may help (6) | SHADES | Sun hell? —– may help (6)
S("sun") + HADES ("hell") |
Get a load of tinsel tangled up (6) | LISTEN | Get a load of tinsel tangled up (6)
*(tinsel) |
I often hang around fruit (10) | GOOSEBERRY | I often hang around fruit (10)
Double definition |
Practise on what moves late- comers, perhaps (8) | REHEARSE | Practise on what moves late- comers, perhaps (8)
RE ("on") + HEARSE ("what moves late-comers")
Not keen on the "late-comers" as I would argue that the dead are going rather than coming? |
Spooner, say, with a beer outside gets the upper hand (8) | PREVAILS | Spooner, say, with a beer outside gets the upper hand (8)
REV ("Spooner, say") + A in PILS ("beer") |
Seedy district where waiting is a must (3,5) | RED LIGHT | Seedy district where waiting is a must (3,5)
Double definition |
Restraints ruined one from a group of sellers (5,5) | CHAIN STORE | Restraints ruined one from a group of sellers (5,5)
CHAINS ("restraints") + TORE ("ruined") |
We do short messages – time with little rest breaks (8) | TWEETERS | We do short messages – time with little rest breaks (8)
T ("time)" + WEE ("little") + *(rest) |
She cleans heads with habitual response (8) | DOMESTIC | She cleans heads with habitual response (8)
DOMES ("heads") + TIC ("habitual response") |
Bill, eg, slipped into calm romantic song (8) | SERENADE | Bill, eg, slipped into calm romantic song (8)
AD ("bill, eg) in SERENE ("calm") |
Steamship stuck in strong struggle (6) | HASSLE | Steamship stuck in strong struggle (6)
SS ("steamship") in HALE ("strong") |
Season what's first set to rest? (6) | WINTER | Season what's first set to rest? (6)
W (first letter of "what") + INTER ("set to rest") |
This may trickle right through mist, possibly (6) | STREAM | This may trickle right through mist, possibly (6)
R ("right") in STEAM ("mist") |
Effects of working at the farm (9) | AFTERMATH | Effects of working at the farm (9)
*(at the farm) |
Capone leaves in a panic, carrying a gun (5) | ARMED | Capone leaves in a panic, carrying a gun (5)
ALARMED ("in a panic") minus AL (Capone) |
Is in pursuit, we're told, of some Indians (5) | SIKHS | Is in pursuit, we're told, of some Indians (5)
homophone of SEEKS ("is in pursuit of") |
Noel's reserve may indicate cold feet (9) | COWARDICE | Noel's reserve may indicate cold feet (9)
(Noel) COWARD + ICE |
The hourly grind, traditionally (4,2,4) | NINE TO FIVE | The hourly grind, traditionally (4,2,4)
Slightly cryptic definition |
Instruction to restore original test (4) | STET | Instruction to restore original test (4)
*(test)
"Original" is not one of my favourite anagrinds. |
Evil doctor and French NCO involved? Never! (3,4) | NOT ONCE | Evil doctor and French NCO involved? Never! (3,4)
(Doctor) NO + *(et NCO)?
Surely, this should not have got past the editor! Or am I just missing something? |
Weather's changeable, apart from capital – warms up again (7) | REHEATS | Weather's changeable, apart from capital – warms up again (7)
*(eather's)
Capital (ie first letter0 removed from weather's |
Even bits of quilts, cut short, go to make overcoats (7) | ULSTERS | Even bits of quilts, cut short, go to make overcoats (7)
(q)U(i)L(t)S + TERS(e)
"Even bits of quilt" – the 2nd, 4th, 6th letters
TERSE = "short", but it's been cut, therefore TERS |
Water features of Iceland old men reported (7) | GEYSERS | Water features of Iceland old men reported (7)
Homophone (indicated by "reported") of GEEZERS |
In her heart Jacob's wife has to suffer (4) | ACHE | In her heart Jacob's wife has to suffer (4)
r(ACHE)l
In the Old Testament, Rachel was Jacob's wife. |
Employment expert as a tormented man's psychiatrist? (3,7) | JOB ANALYST | Employment expert as a tormented man's psychiatrist? (3,7)
JOB ("tormented man" in the Bible) + ANALYST ("psychiatrist") |
Golf eg, with some shots can win fortunes (4,5) | GAME CHIPS | Golf eg, with some shots can win fortunes (4,5)
GAME + CHIPS |
Nothing very much comes at the end (5) | OMEGA | Nothing very much comes at the end (5)
O + MEGA |
Virginal saint sang with ecstasy under torture (5) | AGNES | Virginal saint sang with ecstasy under torture (5)
*(sang + e) |
Sort of great mess often found below stairs (3,6) | GAS METERS | Sort of great mess often found below stairs (3,6)
*(great mess) |
The crime of war, so Napoleon said (5) | ARSON | The crime of war, so Napoleon said (5)
hidden in "wAR, SO Napoleon" |
Accept bribes, perhaps, as a reporter should do! (4,5) | TAKE NOTES | Accept bribes, perhaps, as a reporter should do! (4,5)
Double definition, with the former slightly cryptic |
Pollyanna's visual aid? (4-6,7) | ROSE-TINTED GLASSES | Pollyanna's visual aid? (4-6,7)
As worn by an optimist.
Pollyanna was the eponymous hero of a 1913 children's novel. Her undying optimism has led to her name becoming synonyymous with "optimist". |
The Napoleon of crime was Sherlock's, he said (4-3) | ARCH FOE | The Napoleon of crime was Sherlock's, he said (4-3)
Is this cryptic? |
We join "stationary" flight, regardless (7) | HOWEVER | We join "stationary" flight, regardless (7)
HO(WE)VER
I haven't come across "join" used in this way before, but as far as I can work out, it is being used in the sense of "to go to and remain within" such as to "join a club"? |
Broadcasts put on by the pretentious (4) | AIRS | Broadcasts put on by the pretentious (4)
Double definition |
I go with the majority, being a bit wet (5) | MOIST | I go with the majority, being a bit wet (5)
MO(I)ST |
Players with the same score, presumably (9) | DUETTISTS | Players with the same score, presumably (9)
Cryptic definition |
Very first twelve months, you might say (3,4,3) | THE YEAR ONE | Very first twelve months, you might say (3,4,3)
Is this even a phrase? I've heard of YEAR ONE, but not **THE** YEAR ONE. |
Pain – one in lung area after injury (9) | NEURALGIA | Pain – one in lung area after injury (9)
*(lung area + i) |
Gas is unstable yet clean energy (9) | ACETYLENE | Gas is unstable yet clean energy (9)
*(yet clean) + E ("energy") |
Inclined to be shy about work (7) | SLOPING | Inclined to be shy about work (7)
SL(OP)ING
"shy" as in "coconut shy" |
Heads of hospitals, unlike matrons, almost never appear in person (5) | HUMAN | Heads of hospitals, unlike matrons, almost never appear in person (5)
Heads (ie first letters of) of "Hospitals Unlike Matrons Almost Never" |
Spruce up public transport (5) | TRAMS | Spruce up public transport (5)
<=SMART |
More than one statute book (4) | ACTS | More than one statute book (4)
Double definition |
Sky pundit? (10) | ASTROLOGER | Sky pundit? (10)
Cryptic definition |
Internet location – something worth viewing, it's said (4) | SITE | Internet location – something worth viewing, it's said (4)
*(sight) |
Expected tenor to give performance (4) | DUET | Expected tenor to give performance (4)
DUE + T |
Grandma, old, back for short time (10) | NANOSECOND | Grandma, old, back for short time (10)
NAN+O+SECOND |
US gangster's headwear, unique (6) | CAPONE | US gangster's headwear, unique (6)
CAP + ONE |
Rule withdrawn by King on recovery from crushing defeat (8) | WALKOVER | Rule withdrawn by King on recovery from crushing defeat (8)
<+LAW + K + OVER |
Corrupt period – precursor to later books (8) | DECADENT | Corrupt period – precursor to later books (8)
DECADE + NT |
Girl got up (4) | ROSE | Girl got up (4)
Double definition |
Spring leads to joy, universal, many proclaim (4) | JUMP | Spring leads to joy, universal, many proclaim (4)
First letters of **J**oy, **U**niversal, **M**any **P**roclaim |
One reasoning believer accepts indication of alternative (8) | THEORIST | One reasoning believer accepts indication of alternative (8)
THE(OR)IST |
Murray's limit? (8) | BASELINE | Murray's limit? (8)
Cryptic definition |
Nurse is coming back – rest ordered (6) | SISTER | Nurse is coming back – rest ordered (6)
<=IS = *(rest) |
Road vehicle fee in Niger under review (4,6) | FIRE ENGINE | Road vehicle fee in Niger under review (4,6)
*(fee in Niger) |
Solo performance has run (4) | LOPE | Solo performance has run (4)
hidden in so**LO PE**rformance |
Paper covers team's core achievement (4) | FEAT | Paper covers team's core achievement (4)
FT covering (t)EA(m) |
Somewhere to watch red wine (sec) in preparation (4-6) | WIDE-SCREEN | Somewhere to watch red wine (sec) in preparation (4-6)
*(red wine sec) |
Showing sense eating Australian food (7) | SAUSAGE | Showing sense eating Australian food (7)
S(AUS)AGE |
Relationship from a time in port (5) | RATIO | Relationship from a time in port (5)
R(A T)IO |
German aboard vessel he's reluctant to leave (8) | LINGERER | German aboard vessel he's reluctant to leave (8)
LIN(GER)ER |
Seeing film from book, blown away (4,4,3,4) | GONE WITH THE WIND | Seeing film from book, blown away (4,4,3,4)
Double definition (kind of?) |
Outcome affected Ulster (6) | RESULT | Outcome affected Ulster (6)
*(Ulster) |
He helps gullible guy, we hear, with tips from elder (9) | SUCCOURER | He helps gullible guy, we hear, with tips from elder (9)
homphone of SUCKER + E(lde)R |
Financial staff get new start in ships (7) | TANKERS | Financial staff get new start in ships (7)
(b)(T)ANKERS |
Troubled teen beginning to regret past now (2,7) | AT PRESENT | Troubled teen beginning to regret past now (2,7)
*(teen r past) where R = "beginning to regret" |
How loveless and lesser unfortunately, they fail to meet obligations (8) | WELSHERS | How loveless and lesser unfortunately, they fail to meet obligations (8)
*(hw lesser) where HW = "how loveless" = HOW-O |
Be fond of female initially as different (7) | UNALIKE | Be fond of female initially as different (7)
UNA + LIKE |
Expensive – the French church feature (7) | STEEPLE | Expensive – the French church feature (7)
STEEP + LE |
Minister won over tiddler (6) | MINNOW | Minister won over tiddler (6)
MIN + <=WON |
Sun's rise over lake (5) | SOLAR | Sun's rise over lake (5)
SO(L)AR |
Philanthropic Society is full of life (6-8) | PUBLIC SPIRITED | Definition: Philanthropic
PUBLIC = "Society" + SPIRITED = "full of life" |
Flush unrepaired dentures to a degree (6) | REDDEN | Definition: Flush
hidden in unrepai**RED DEN**tures |
Championing Poles travelling around America (8) | ESPOUSAL | Definition: Championing
*(Poles) around USA |
Police officer sustaining wound (4) | STAB | Definition: wound
The only way I can parse this is a leap of faith.
STAB appearing in conSTABle? |
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