Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Priest almost cut short poem (8) | CLERIHEW | Priest almost cut short poem (8)
CLERI(c) + HEW |
A golf international's in trouble for playing slowly (6) | ADAGIO | A golf international's in trouble for playing slowly (6)
A G I in ADO |
Authority comes out with circular letter (3-2) | SAY-SO | Authority comes out with circular letter (3-2)
SAYS + O ("circular letter") |
Relish occasional bits of glum sitcom (5) | GUSTO | Relish occasional bits of glum sitcom (5)
**G**l**U**m **S**i**T**c**O**m |
Pair abandon misleading affair (5) | FLING | Pair abandon misleading affair (5)
F(oo)LING
At first, I thought "pair" was weak for OO, but then I thought of cricket, and a pair of ducks in two innings would be 00, so it's all good. |
Pledge to rest after overturning moped without a helmet (7) | DEPOSIT | Pledge to rest after overturning moped without a helmet (7)
<+(m)OPED + SIT |
Ice-creams produced by non-US suppliers (7) | RIPPLES | Ice-creams produced by non-US suppliers (7)
*(ppliers) (SUPPLIERS – US)
As in Raspberry Ripple, probably my least favourite ice cream flavour! |
Starts to paint oils to hide stolen picture (5) | PHOTO | Starts to paint oils to hide stolen picture (5)
HOT in P(aint) O(ils) |
Intensely dislike a dessert pub reportedly had for dinner (9) | ABOMINATE | Intensely dislike a dessert pub reportedly had for dinner (9)
Homophone of A BOMBE INN + ATE |
Arrives on the heels of past masters (9) | OVERCOMES | Arrives on the heels of past masters (9)
COMES on OVER |
Found in spot on Galapagos archipelago (5) | TONGA | Found in spot on Galapagos archipelago (5)
Hidden in "spo**T** ON **GA**lapagos" |
Precise piece of legislation now repealed? (5) | EXACT | Precise piece of legislation now repealed? (5)
An EX ACT would be a "piece of legislation now repealed". |
Violently denounced journalist following turn he'd messed up (9) | THUNDERED | Violently denounced journalist following turn he'd messed up (9)
*(turn he'd) + ED ("journalist") |
The same model initially includes numbers trimmed in chrome (9) | IDENTICAL | The same model initially includes numbers trimmed in chrome (9)
N(umbers) T(rimmed) I(n) C(hrome) in IDEAL |
Long period at the centre of attention (5) | YEARN | Long period at the centre of attention (5)
YEAR + (atte)N(tion) |
Sweet compromise (5) | FUDGE | Sweet compromise (5)
Double definition |
Complaining about Naomi returning after I left off being around (9) | BEMOANING | Complaining about Naomi returning after I left off being around (9)
<=NAOM(i) + BEING |
Government reportedly intended to make a declaration (9) | STATEMENT | Government reportedly intended to make a declaration (9)
STATE + homophone of MEANT |
Top UN official has a student flat (5) | BANAL | Top UN official has a student flat (5)
BAN (Ki-Moon) + A L |
It smooths over Labour leader's false report (7) | SLANDER | It smooths over Labour leader's false report (7)
L(abour) in SANDER |
Ridicules extremely disagreeable fairground attractions (7) | DERIDES | Ridicules extremely disagreeable fairground attractions (7)
D(isagreeabl)E + RIDES |
Deeply regret daughter learning about record (7) | DEPLORE | Deeply regret daughter learning about record (7)
D (EP) LORE |
In favour of people getting stated equipment to help walk (9) | PROMENADE | In favour of people getting stated equipment to help walk (9)
PRO + MEN + homophone of AID |
Resigned to supporting son and niece regularly (5) | STOIC | Resigned to supporting son and niece regularly (5)
S + TO + (n)I(e)C(e) |
Shocking hoax almost secures gold rug (9) | TRAUMATIC | Shocking hoax almost secures gold rug (9)
AU + MAT in TRIC(k) |
I sort out public disturbances (5) | RIOTS | I sort out public disturbances (5)
*(I sort) |
Practise without note I'd revised explicitly (9) | POINTEDLY | Practise without note I'd revised explicitly (9)
*(note I'd) in PLY |
With a fresh approach, desire to become skilful (5) | LEARN | With a fresh approach, desire to become skilful (5)
YEARN ("desire") becomes LEARN if it has a "fresh approach" |
Marshal turns up in part of a wetsuit with ripped edges (7) | STEWARD | Marshal turns up in part of a wetsuit with ripped edges (7)
<= A WETS(uit) + R(ippe)D
If my parsing is correct, I don't like this clue as "part of" is not precise enough for my liking. |
This document supports your claim for publication of French edition (5,4) | TITLE DEED | This document supports your claim for publication of French edition (5,4)
TITKE ("publication") + DE ("of French") +ED. |
Endless messy mud I let in (9) | UNLIMITED | Endless messy mud I let in (9)
*(mud I let in) |
Changed sides for money to get shelter with soldier in return (9) | REALIGNED | Changed sides for money to get shelter with soldier in return (9)
REAL ("money") + <=DEN G.I. |
Overruns popular party with socialists primarily (7) | INFESTS | Overruns popular party with socialists primarily (7)
IN + FEST + S(ocialists) |
Worries about German trap set by the French (7) | NIGGLES | Worries about German trap set by the French (7)
<=G GIN + LES |
Acting doctor has a higher degree (5) | DRAMA | Acting doctor has a higher degree (5)
DR. + A M.A. |
At first background laughter leads to hearing being indistinct (5) | BLEAR | At first background laughter leads to hearing being indistinct (5)
B(ackground L(aughter) + EAR |
Get ready to go away from embargo muddle (5) | AMBER | Get ready to go away from embargo muddle (5)
*(embar) (EMBARGO – GO)
Definition is too loose – "get ready to go" is a little better, but then "go" would be doing double duty. |
Starts to look at tracks through the country (6) | LATVIA | Definition: country
Initial letters of "**L**ook **A**t **T**racks" + VIA ("through") |
Speaks of panic with son (6) | STATES | Definition: Speaks
STATE ("panic") + S
State as in "in a state" = "in a panic". |
Naughty Carol keeps a pub (7) | SINNING | Definition: Naughty
INN in SING
The capital letter on Carol gives me a problem here, as "Carol" and "to carol" are two different things. Could have been solved by putting Carol at the start of the clue (eg Carol keeps a pub – that's naughty) |
Problem for old Bob the repair man (7) | STINKER | Definition: Problem
S ("old Bob" = "shilling") + TINKER |
Purcell has developed melancholy (10) | SEPULCHRAL | Definition: melancholy
*(Purcell has) |
Old people imprisoned – many lost (4) | AGED | Definition: Old people
(c)AGED |
New information about soldier (5) | GREEN | Definition: New
GEN about R.E. ("soldier")
R.E. = Royal Engineer |
Weirdo makes illegal drugs (8) | CRACKPOT | Definition: Weirdo
CRACK + POT are both illegal drugs.
I may be splitting hairs, but I'd say that the clue should say "illegal drugs make weirdo".
Think of the clue as a sum, with "weirdo" = 4, "crack" = 3, and "pot" = 1.
We would say that 1 and 3 makes 4, but we wouldn't say that 4 makes 1 and 3. |
Teacher having gym with students is badly put down (8) | MISSPELL | Definition: badly put down
MISS ("Teacher") + P.E. + LL ("students") |
Money put into academic funds (5) | PURSE | Definition: Money
Double definition |
Further inside the Royal Society (4) | ALSO | Definition: Further
Hidden in "roy**AL SO**ciety" |
Harmony in a musical instrument (10) | CONCERTINA | Definition: musical instrument
CONCERT + IN A |
Fielder's desire to get on (4,3) | LONG LEG | Definition: Fielder
LONG + LEG ("on")
In cricket parlance, "leg" ~ "on".
Long leg is a fielding position behind the batsman, and near the boundary. |
Idea vet developed to change (7) | DEVIATE | Definition: to change
*(idea vet) |
Speechless about batting a short time (6) | MINUTE | Definition: a short time
MUTE about IN |
Dishonour grips royal family (6) | STRAIN | Definition: family
ST(R)AIN |
Learning about current in the river (5) | LOIRE | Definition: river
I("current") in LORE |
Give hairstyle that's in fashion? Certainly! (7) | TONSURE | Definition: Give hairstyle
TON ("fashion") + SURE |
Purity Connie falsely showed once appearing topless (9) | INNOCENCE | Definition: Purity
*(Connie) + (o)NCE |
Comprehensive kid gets a quid (5) | TOTAL | Definition: Comprehensive
TOT + A + L ("quid", as in LSD, pounds shillings and pence) |
A small fastening can alter one's course (3,4) | TIN TACK | Definition: A small fastening
TIN ("can") + TACK |
Worker's first wife died in shop (9) | STEVEDORE | Definition: Worker'
EVE + D in STORE |
First-rate fish served with pork (9) | CRACKLING | Definition: served with pork
CRACK ("first-class") + LING |
Stable hand crosses stream for a place to eat (9) | GRILLROOM | Definition: a place to eat
GROOM crosses RILL |
Now for a tango show (2,7) | AT PRESENT | Definition: Now
A + T("tango" in the phonetic alphabet) + PRESENT |
Drunken legions drink this . . . . (4,3) | SLOE GIN | Definition: this
*(legions) |
. . . . nastier sort of wine (7) | RETSINA | Definition: wine
*(nastier) |
Box the revolutionary way (5) | CHEST | Definition: Box
CHE (Guevara) + ST. ("way") |
Impossible idea one's given up (3,2) | NOT ON | Definition: Impossible
NOT(i)ON |
Colourful design in second Mediterranean vessel (6) | MOSAIC | Definition: Colourful design
MO ("second") + SAIC ("Mediterranean vessel")
A saic is a vessel like a ketch from the Eastern Med. |
Worker ludicrously busy round English church (8) | MECHANIC | Definition: Worker
E Ch. in MANIC |
Wary scout I redirected in tour of a university (8) | CAUTIOUS | Definition: Wary
A U in *(scout I) |
Appropriate turkey, bird held back (6) | ASSUME | Definition: Appropriate
ASS ("turkey") + <=EMU |
Furore created by odd drug dealer (not half) (6) | RUMPUS | Definition: Furore
RUM ("odd") + PUS(her) |
At last, plan to guard explosive (2,3,3) | INTHEEND | Definition: At last
H.E. in INTEND
H.E. stands for High Explosive |
File to handle differently in current circumstances (3,2,3,4) | LIE OF THE LAND | Definition: current circumstances
*(file to handle) |
Friend behind city still in joyful mode (12) | ECSTATICALLY | Definition: in joyful mode
E.C. ("city") + STATIC ("still") + ALLY("friend")
E.C., as any cruciverbalist will tell you, is a central London postcode. |
Lines penned by website contributor, expert on public views (8) | POLLSTER | Definition: expert on public views
LL ("lines") in POSTER("website contributor") |
Distinction retained in sacred itinerary (6) | CREDIT | Definition: Distinction
Hidden in "sa**CRED IT**inerary" |
Crimson strand (6) | MAROON | Definition: Crimson
Double definition.
According to Chambers, both "crimson" and "maroon" are purplish red, so this would appear to be OK, although, in my humble opinion, the two are different. |
Incomplete dessert, otherwise termed a Greek dish (8) | MOUSSAKA | Definition: a Greek dish
MOUSS(e) + A.K.A. |
Information given on European game in stock source? (4,4) | GENE POOL | Definition: stock source
GEN ("information") + E(uropean) + POOL ("game") |
Sensitive proposal (6) | TENDER | Definition: Sensitive
Double definition |
Unintelligible work, one somewhat lacking in appeal (6) | OPAQUE | Definition: Unintelligible
OP ("work") + A ("one") + QU(it)E |
Ideal place almost in a group for George (9) | AUTOPILOT | Definition: George
UTOPI(a) in A LOT
George is the nickname pilots give to the autopilot system. |
Tons crews replaced in elevated position at sea (5,4) | CROWS NEST | Definition: elevated position at sea
*(tons crews) |
Old lady supported by formidable dog (7) | MASTIFF | Definition: dog
MA ("old lady") + STIFF ("formidable") |
Skill shown by hundred, a large number (5) | CRAFT | Definition: Skill
C ("hundred") + RAFT ("a large number") |
Patterned fabric that's limitless in part of church (5) | AISLE | Definition: in part of church
(p)AISLE(y) |
Small measure in section of hospital is soon to happen (8) | IMMINENT | Definition: soon to happen
IMM (1mm = "small measure") + IN E.N.T. (Ear, Nose and Throat = "section of hospital") |
Tone cut in hearing (3) | HUE | Definition: Tone
Homophone of HEW ("cut") |
Hard ancient judges to preside over attendants (4,5) | HOLD COURT | Definition: to preside over attendants
H(ard) + OLD ("ancient") + COURT ("judges") |
Sadly only spare figure without expertise (9) | LAYPERSON | Definition: figure without expertise
*(only spare) |
Drink taken by daughter amid outstanding praise (8) | ACCOLADE | Definition: praise
COLA ("drink") + D(aughter) in ACE ("outstanding") |
American's behind passageway screens (3) | ASS | Definition: American's behind
Hidden in p**ASS**ageway |
Sweet stuff bordered by fancy lace (7) | CARAMEL | Definition: Sweet
RAM ("stuff") in *(lace) |
Changeable fellow facing predicament losing head (6) | FICKLE | Definition: Changeable
F(ellow) + (p)ICKLE |
Indefinite sun in Cornish resort (5) | LOOSE | Definition: Indefinite
S("sun") in LOOE (a small town on the Cornish coast) |
What one might see after summer holiday dance (5) | TANGO | Definition: dance
After a summer holiday, one's tan may go. |
Issue beginning to engage mother country (9) | EMANATION | Issue beginning to engage mother country (9)
E(ngage) + MA + NATION |
Burglar eviscerated on cross in cheery NY location? (5) | BRONX | Burglar eviscerated on cross in cheery NY location? (5)
B(urgla)r + ON + X ("cross")
"Making a Bronx cheer" is an American term for "blowing a raspberry" |
Member tours old Ireland with lecherous look (7) | LEERING | Member tours old Ireland with lecherous look (7)
ERIN ("old Ireland") in LEG ("member") |
One settles score against English in rage (7) | AVENGER | One settles score against English in rage (7)
V E in ANGER |
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