Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Bizarre muddle I clear up (8) | PECULIAR | Definition: Bizarre
*(I clear up) |
Placed above all the other politicians, initially (4) | ATOP | Definition: Placed above
Made up of initial letters of **A**ll **T**he **O**ther **P**oliticians |
Run, in part, as epitome of intolerance (5) | BIGOT | Definition: epitome of intolerance
GO in BIT |
Adherent of middle line? Yes and no (10) | REPUBLICAN | Definition: Adherent of middle line
Not sure of the parsing of this, maybe due to my ignorance of US politics. |
It's hard getting votes for 11's successor (5) | HAYES | Definition: 11's successor
H + AYES ("votes") |
Absurdly lauded over a time, praised excessively (8) | ADULATED | Definition: praised excessively
*(lauded) over A T |
Utter what's inaccurate, supported by conservatives (8) | OUTRIGHT | Definition: Utter
OUT ("inaccurate"), "supported by" RIGHT |
Love going after Mitt's likely successor, animated character (6,4) | DONALD DUCK | Definition: animated character
DUCK ("love") after DONALD (Trump, likely successor to Mitt Romney, the defeated Republican nominee in 2012) |
Finally shout like a crazy, not silent (6) | TALKIE | Definition: not silent
(shou)T + *(a like) |
Throw out Obamacare using salami tactics, primarily (4) | OUST | Definition: Throw out
From the initial letters of "**O**bamacare **U**sing **S**alami **T**actics" |
Some loathsome characters that incoming president has to take (4) | OATH | Definition: incoming president has to take
Some characters from "l**OATH**some" |
Untrue statement about good girl's boat material? (10) | FIBREGLASS | Untrue statement about good girl's boat material? (10)
FIB + RE + G + LASS |
Tobacco for pound (4) | QUID | Tobacco for pound (4)
Double definition |
Right to replace daughter in representative group heading down (10) | RELEGATION | Right to replace daughter in representative group heading down (10)
DELEGATION with R ("right") replacing the D "(daughter") |
One put in lucrative order (4) | FIAT | One put in lucrative order (4)
1 in FAT |
Into cuisine that's foreign? (12) | ENTHUSIASTIC | Into cuisine that's foreign? (12)
*(thats cuisine) |
Duke, say, catches competitor after docking before time in vessel (9) | PRIVATEER | Duke, say, catches competitor after docking before time in vessel (9)
PEER "catches" (RIVA(l) ("competitor "docked"") + T) |
Unit – expression involving heat primarily? (5) | THERM | Unit – expression involving heat primarily? (5)
TERM "involving" H(eat) and &lit. |
Signal for pick-me-up? (5) | THUMB | Signal for pick-me-up? (5)
Cryptic definition.
A signal used by a hitch-hiker |
Extremely affected manner of speaking – habit hard to break? (9) | ADDICTION | Extremely affected manner of speaking – habit hard to break? (9)
A(ffecte)D + DICTION |
Last minute volunteer, he, first to hurry off (8,4) | ELEVENTH HOUR | Last minute volunteer, he, first to hurry off (8,4)
*(volunteer he h(urry)) |
Mother is backing old country name (4) | SIAM | Mother is backing old country name (4)
<=MA IS |
With time for relaxing atmosphere books tables here? (10) | RESTAURANT | With time for relaxing atmosphere books tables here? (10)
REST ("Time for relaxing") + AURA ("atmosphere") + N.T. (New Testament, therefore "books") and &lit. |
Adam's son contributes to Genesis ethos (4) | SETH | Adam's son contributes to Genesis ethos (4)
Hidden in (ie "contributing to") "Genesi**S ETH**os" |
Inventor of phone's sent abroad (10) | STEPHENSON | Inventor of phone's sent abroad (10)
*(phone's sent) |
Charge is legitimate, it's said (4) | FARE | Charge is legitimate, it's said (4)
Homophone of FAIR |
Like rising market? Nonsense (4) | BULL | Like rising market? Nonsense (4)
Double definition |
Sculptures being smaller for a change (5,7) | ELGIN MARBLES | Sculptures being smaller for a change (5,7)
*(being smaller) |
In flat, changes fastening (5) | LATCH | In flat, changes fastening (5)
In "f**LAT CH**anges" |
Receiving circular letter, responds freely with financial support (9) | SPONSORED | Receiving circular letter, responds freely with financial support (9)
*(responds) "receiving" O ("circular letter") |
Travelling in Boeing? Not yet decided (2,2,3,3) | UP IN THE AIR | Travelling in Boeing? Not yet decided (2,2,3,3)
Cryptic definition |
Unit struggled finally, sadly came tenth (10) | DETACHMENT | Unit struggled finally, sadly came tenth (10)
(struggle)D + *(came tenth) |
Finishing off, run the autocue differently – in top fashion? (5,7) | HAUTE COUTURE | Finishing off, run the autocue differently – in top fashion? (5,7)
*(ru(n) the autocue) |
Glorification of a leading upcoming fellow over old relative (10) | APOTHEOSIS | Glorification of a leading upcoming fellow over old relative (10)
A + <=TOP "leading") + HE ("fellow") + O ("old") SIS ("relative") |
Officer's story on truck supported by northern worker (10) | LIEUTENANT | Officer's story on truck supported by northern worker (10)
LIE ("story") + UTE ("truck") + N ANT ("worker") |
Legislation confused teen can't master at the beginning (9) | ENACTMENT | Legislation confused teen can't master at the beginning (9)
*(teen cant m(aster)) |
Angry in court after the rioting (3,2) | HET UP | Angry in court after the rioting (3,2)
UP ("in court") after *(the) |
Dad's second way through (4) | PASS | Dad's second way through (4)
PA'S S |
On the rise, make special mention of school (4) | ETON | On the rise, make special mention of school (4)
<=NOTE |
Old boiler worth a penny (6) | COPPER | Definition: Old boiler
Double definition |
A cheap metal in best metal (8) | PLATINUM | Definition: metal
A TIN in PLUM |
Fossil very likely to reveal pirate (6) | SILVER | Definition: pirate
Revealed in "fos**SIL VER**y"
Refers to Long John Silver, from *Treasure Island*. |
Gas that's inert – no good if blended (8) | NITROGEN | Definition: Gas
*(inert no g) where g = "good" |
Reproduction of mass production after troops leave no. 21 (8) | SCANDIUM | Definition: no. 21
*(mas ducin) ("mass production" minus the letters in "troops")
Don't like the definition, although it is obvious from the theme of the crossword that we are to look for the element that is No 21 on the periodic table. |
Elementary meal prepared to give inside information (6) | BARIUM | Definition: Elementary meal prepared to give inside information
A barium meal is used to provide information about the alimentary canal as it is opaque to X-rays. |
A good role from a double, admittedly (4) | LEAD | Definition: A good role
"From" "doub**LE AD**mittedly" |
Gas – a factor in a TV programme? (7) | KRYPTON | Definition: Gas
Refers to *The Krypton Factor*, a British game show that ran from 1977 to 1995. |
Club oddly let in drunk pop legend (7) | MERCURY | Definition: pop legend
**C**l**U**b in MERRY
Refers of course to Freddie Mercury. |
Brass component contributing to jazz in club (4) | ZINC | Definition: Brass component
"contributing to" "jaz**Z IN C**lub" |
Orchestra leader co-ordinates knowledge of gas (6) | OXYGEN | Definition: gas
O(rchestra) + XY (axes = "co-ordinates") + GEN ("knowledge") |
It symbolises a metal when spinning (8) | TITANIUM | Definition: metal
"Spin" "it" and you get TI, which is the chemical symbol for TITANIUM |
At home in a condition that is unstable (8) | ASTATINE | Definition: that is unstable
IN in A STATE
~~Like 12ac, another vague definintion that the setter gets away with due to the theme.~~
(Andrew has suggested it is At that is the definition, and that STATE is indicated by "condition that is unstable", so I may have been unfair to Gozo)
Astatine is an unstable radioactive element. |
I could be one with nothing to eat (6) | IODINE | Definition: I
1 + 0 +DINE
I is the chemical symbol for Iodine. |
Cask gets rebuilt with new metal (8) | TUNGSTEN | Definition: metal
TUN + *(gets) + N |
Mark, the Spanish coin (6) | NICKEL | Definition: coin
NICK + EL |
No credit for this disposal of bread? (4,4) | CASH SALE | Definition: No credit
Cryptic definition |
Take the lead, yet draw on opponent's ground (4,4) | PULL AWAY | Definition: Take the lead
PULL ("draw") + AWAY ("on opponent's ground") |
Reforms – some of them end satisfactorily (6) | EMENDS | Definition: Reforms
"some of" "th**EM END S**atisfactorily" |
Bishop leaves former PM's home (4) | LAIR | Definition: home
(b)LAIR |
Fighter's gashed? A doctor's brought round ring (8) | TOREADOR | Definition: Fighter
TORE ("gashed") + A DR "brought round" O |
Head north, going wrong (6) | NOGGIN | Definition: Head
*(N going) where N = "north" |
Notes from a small manuscript (6) | MINIMS | Definition: Notes
MINI + MS |
Leading rules – are you told cribs are wrong? (7) | RUBRICS | Definition: Leading rules
*(RU cribs) where RU is a homophone (indicated by "told") of "are you" |
Puritan oddly going to London (2-5) | UP-TRAIN | Definition: going to London
*(puritan)
A train going up to London is called an "up-train".
Personally, as a Scot, I always say I am going down to London… |
Slate broken in these French instruments (8) | CELESTAS | Definition: instruments
*(slate) in CES ("these French") |
Car with kids out of control – it holds a record (8) | MINIDISK | Definition: it holds a record
MINI ("car") + *(kids) |
Truck manufacturer's swindle made English lorries legendary originally (8) | SCAMMELL | Definition: Truck manufacturer
SCAM + first letters of "**M**ade **E**nglish **L**orries **L**egendary" |
Loaf, key element (6) | COBALT | Definition: element
COB ("loaf") + Alt (a "key" on a computer keyboard) |
Victorian author's forename on only novel about abstainer (6) | LYTTON | Definition: Victorian author's forename
*(only) "about" TT (teetotal = "abstainer")
Refers to Lytton Strachey, who, although born during Victoria's reign, was active after her death. However, he did write a biography of the Queen, so that makes the clue quite clever. |
Knighted actor's dodgy CIA job (6) | JACOBI | Definition: Knighted actor
*(CIA job)
Referes to Sir Derek Jacobi |
Some concerto in progress outside of Cambridge, formerly (4) | ONCE | Definition: formerly
Has two cryptic indicators:
"some" "c**ONCE**rto"
and
ON ("in progress") +C(ambridg)E |
Season well (6) | SPRING | Season well (6)
Double definition |
Wanders away from street lights (6) | STRAYS | Wanders away from street lights (6)
St. + RAYS |
Sunny smile? (4) | BEAM | Sunny smile? (4)
Cryptic definition |
Bet policies are revised, nonetheless, in referendum (10) | PLEBISCITE | Bet policies are revised, nonetheless, in referendum (10)
*(bet plicies) (ie BET POLICIES without O("nonethless" ~ with none removed)) |
A trust set up by the royal family (6) | STUART | A trust set up by the royal family (6)
*(a trust) |
Unimportant persons found after well-planned murders? (8) | NOBODIES | Unimportant persons found after well-planned murders? (8)
After a well-planned murder there would be NO BODIES |
He doesn't have to be smart to fool the birds (9) | SCARECROW | He doesn't have to be smart to fool the birds (9)
Cryptic definition |
A love for indigo (4) | ANIL | A love for indigo (4)
A + NIL ("love") |
Get weapon out but don't win (4) | DRAW | Get weapon out but don't win (4)
Double definition |
Lock in the experts, they're only pretending to work (9) | ACTRESSES | Lock in the experts, they're only pretending to work (9)
TRESS in ACES |
Principle of not striking? (8) | PACIFISM | Principle of not striking? (8)
Cryptic definition |
Capital in credit in Norfolk resort (6) | CROMER | Capital in credit in Norfolk resort (6)
ROME in Cr. |
Held in check, fell behind the others (10) | RESTRAINED | Held in check, fell behind the others (10)
RAINED ("fell") behind REST |
Sheep's quarters (4) | EWES | Sheep's quarters (4)
Made up of four directions or "quarters" – East, West, East, South |
Repeat prescription once more, not involving the doctor (6) | ENCORE | Repeat prescription once more, not involving the doctor (6)
*(once re) (ie ONCE MORE minus MO) |
The coming of the Christian faith (6) | ADVENT | The coming of the Christian faith (6)
(Not terribly) cryptic definition |
One unwilling to give credit (7) | SCEPTIC | One unwilling to give credit (7)
Cryptic definition |
After a drink, sailor gets up for a dance (5) | RUMBA | After a drink, sailor gets up for a dance (5)
RUM + <=AB |
Relatively favourable (7) | NEPOTIC | Relatively favourable (7)
Cryptic definition |
Novel hat for a Parisian model (6) | TRILBY | Novel hat for a Parisian model (6)
Triple definition.
A trilby is a hat, which was worn in the stage adaptation of *Trilby*, a George du Maurier novel about an eponymous Parisian model. |
Bill joins detectives sent out after crashes? (9) | ACCIDENTS | Bill joins detectives sent out after crashes? (9)
AC + C.I.D. + *(sent) |
Take exam on flourishing poet (7) | SITWELL | Take exam on flourishing poet (7)
SIT + WELL
Refers to Edith Sitwell, or (less likely) her brother Osbert. |
Additional strength check for mortar (13) | REINFORCEMENT | Additional strength check for mortar (13)
REIN FOR CEMENT |
Is recital composition unsentimental? (9) | REALISTIC | Is recital composition unsentimental? (9)
*(is recital) |
Sharpshooter's employed in the rigging (7) | DEADEYE | Sharpshooter's employed in the rigging (7)
Double definition.
As well as being a sharpshooter, a deadeye is an item used in the rigging of sailing ships. It's a round wooden disc with holes through it, perpendicular to the plane of the disc. |
Troops gave up and retreated (7) | RECEDED | Troops gave up and retreated (7)
R.E. ("troops") + CEDED
Not keen on this one, as the solution and "gave up" come from the same root. |
He is a colourless one (7) | ELEMENT | He is a colourless one (7)
Cryptic definition, as Helium (He) is a colourless element. |
I join Bond's boss arranging raid above ground level (3-3) | MID-AIR | I join Bond's boss arranging raid above ground level (3-3)
M ("Bond's boss) + I + *(raid) |
Daisy is a neat looker! (2-3) | OX-EYE | Daisy is a neat looker! (2-3)
OX ("neat") + EYE ("looker") |
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