Clue
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| Answer
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| Explanation
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|---|---|---|
Writer becoming expert on soldiers in retreat (6) | ARCHER | Writer becoming expert on soldiers in retreat (6)
ARCH ("expert") on <=R.E. (Royal Engineers, so "soldiers", in retreat)
Probably refers to Jeffrey Archer *aka* Baron Archer of Weston-Super-Mare, but could also be Geoffrey Archer, who writes spy and adventure stories. |
The same as blood group found in mutant ant? Not exactly (10) | TANTAMOUNT | The same as blood group found in mutant ant? Not exactly (10)
O ("blood group") "found in *(mutant ant) |
Rare to find a French article on the lower classes? Not entirely (8) | UNCOMMON | Rare to find a French article on the lower classes? Not entirely (8)
UN ("a French article") + COMMON(s) "(the lower classes", not entirely) |
Extend loan and get sorted out by the end of June (8) | ELONGATE | Extend loan and get sorted out by the end of June (8)
*(loan get) + (jun)E |
Bull's EyeThis comic book character's sweet (5,3) | BULL’S EYE | Bull's EyeThis comic book character's sweet (5,3)
Double definition.
*I don't know how this clue appeared in the print edition, but online, the answer seems to have infliltrated the clue!*
*I have a vague memory of Bull's Eye as a comic character from my youth, but that's a while ago now, so I may be mistaken. There is a Marvel Comics character called Bullseye, who may be the character implied by the clue. |
Most excellent prophet embodying lines from the Bible perhaps (4,6) | BEST SELLER | Most excellent prophet embodying lines from the Bible perhaps (4,6)
BEST ("most excellent") + SEER ("prophet") "embodying" LL ("lines") |
Release a false statement implicating Repton's head in strike (8) | LIBERATE | Release a false statement implicating Repton's head in strike (8)
LIE ("a false statement") "implicating" R(epton) in BEAT ("strike")
*A pedant may say the "a" before "false statement" is unnecessary". |
Right kind of vocabulary to describe Penny taken in by sailor (4-4) | SLAP-BANG | Right kind of vocabulary to describe Penny taken in by sailor (4-4)
SLANG ("kind of vocabulary") containing (indicated by "to describe") P(enny) "taken in by" A.B. ("sailor") |
Wonderful food in prison? Not half (8) | SMASHING | Wonderful food in prison? Not half (8)
MASH ("food") in SING (half of Sing Sing, an infamous New York "prison") |
Moves quickly when first of potatoes is eaten by sows (6) | SPEEDS | Moves quickly when first of potatoes is eaten by sows (6)
P(otatoes) "eaten by" SEEDS ("sows") |
Entertain with talk about Capone being seen in Georgia (6) | REGALE | Entertain with talk about Capone being seen in Georgia (6)
RE ("about") + AL ("Capone") "seen in" GE (IVR for "Georgia") |
At all times protected by right to go back (6) | REVERT | At all times protected by right to go back (6)
EVER ("at all times") "protected by" Rt. ("right") |
Take on equipment (6) | TACKLE | Take on equipment (6)
Double definition |
I'd piece prepared about mass outbreak (8) | EPIDEMIC | I'd piece prepared about mass outbreak (8)
*(id piece) "about" M |
Thing old bishop put down before sitting (9) | OBSESSION | Thing old bishop put down before sitting (9)
O(ld) B(ishop) + SESSION |
Superior meal, seconds not required (5) | UPPER | Superior meal, seconds not required (5)
(s)UPPER |
Ring writer ready to entertain new ideas (4) | OPEN | Ring writer ready to entertain new ideas (4)
O + PEN |
Copy includes song back to front – a major disaster (10) | APOCALYPSE | Copy includes song back to front – a major disaster (10)
APE "includes" OCALYPS (calypso = "song" with its back (O) at the front) |
Report weapons recently stolen (7) | GUNSHOT | Report weapons recently stolen (7)
GUNS + HOT ("recently stolen") |
Mountain in eastern part of Sahara desert (6) | ARARAT | Mountain in eastern part of Sahara desert (6)
(sah)ARA + RAT (to "desert") |
End of play is completely perplexing (6) | STUMPS | End of play is completely perplexing (6)
Double definition.
*In cricket, "stumps" is the end of a day's play, when the stumps are removed from the pitch. |
Dead skin around base of nail attractive girl describes (7) | CUTICLE | Dead skin around base of nail attractive girl describes (7)
C ("around") + NAI(l) "decribed by" CUTIE
*To me, this clue would work better as a down clue, as base indicates "bottom" rather than "end". |
It can still be served on a round plate! (6,4) | SQUARE MEAL | It can still be served on a round plate! (6,4)
Cryptic definition |
Annoying child runs into club (4) | BRAT | Annoying child runs into club (4)
R(uns) "into" BAT |
Lake in steep valley, not cold (5) | LOUGH | Lake in steep valley, not cold (5)
(c)LOUGH |
Small number embarrassed entering flat in building in Paris (5,4) | NOTRE DAME | Small number embarrassed entering flat in building in Paris (5,4)
No. + (RED "entering" TAME) |
Office cars to tax (8) | MINISTRY | Office cars to tax (8)
MINIS ("car") + TRY ("tax") |
Commercial being televised is for the handsome young man (6) | ADONIS | Commercial being televised is for the handsome young man (6)
AD + ON ("being televised") + IS |
Complete, from beginning to end, nothing concealed (8) | THOROUGH | Complete, from beginning to end, nothing concealed (8)
O "concealed" in THROUGH ("from beginning to end") |
Roasted food item – when ready, we served up on crackers, mostly (6,3) | CASHEW NUT | Roasted food item – when ready, we served up on crackers, mostly (6,3)
CASH ("ready) + <=WE + NUT(s) |
In hotel I study register (4) | LIST | In hotel I study register (4)
Hidden in "hote**L I ST**udy" |
Criticise expert sitting on a universal remedy (7) | PANACEA | Criticise expert sitting on a universal remedy (7)
PAN + ACE + A |
Couples who may make one laugh in adult clubs, wearing old padded jackets (6,4) | DOUBLE ACTS | Couples who may make one laugh in adult clubs, wearing old padded jackets (6,4)
A(dult) C(lubs) "wearing" DOUBLETS ("old padded jackets") |
Clean head of hair on top (3,2) | MOP UP | Clean head of hair on top (3,2)
MOP ("head of hair") + UP ("on top") |
Calling baby-sitter around eight, initially (6) | CAREER | Calling baby-sitter around eight, initially (6)
CARER "around" E(ight) |
Consent to entertaining mischievous child, one not easily got rid of (6) | LIMPET | Consent to entertaining mischievous child, one not easily got rid of (6)
LET ("consent to") "entertaining" IMP |
Article on demonstrations in border area (3,7) | THE MARCHES | Article on demonstrations in border area (3,7)
THE ("article) "on" MARCHES ("demonstrations")
*The Marches is a kind of generic term for the borders between England and Scotland, and those between England and Wales. |
A head of state bound to find out (9) | ASCERTAIN | A head of state bound to find out (9)
A S(tate) + CERTAIN |
Fidgety? Be more active! (8) | RESTLESS | Fidgety? Be more active! (8)
REST LESS |
Group studying ruined remains (7) | SEMINAR | Group studying ruined remains (7)
*(remains) |
Modest order husband put in (6) | CHASTE | Modest order husband put in (6)
CASTE ("order") with H(usband) "put in" |
A year in rathole provides refuge (6) | ASYLUM | A year in rathole provides refuge (6)
A + (Y "in" SLUM) |
Complete change in direction brought about by socially acceptable act (1-4) | U-TURN | Complete change in direction brought about by socially acceptable act (1-4)
U ("socially acceptable") + TURN ("acceptable act") |
Stooge satisfied about routine, at last (4) | FEED | Stooge satisfied about routine, at last (4)
FED "about" (routin)E
*I hadn't come across a stooge as someone who feeds lines to forgetful actors before.*
I'm not sure about this one, because to me FED and FEED are form the same root. |
Cloth put round oily cheese (7) | TAFFETA | Definition: Cloth
<=FAT + FETA |
Small opera company wants an American composer (7) | SMETANA | Definition: composer
S + MET ("opera company") + AN A(merican) |
Penal colony's uniform worn by government prisoner (5) | GULAG | Definition: Penal colony
U(niform) "worn by G(overnment) + LAG |
Extremely scruffy taxi drivers start off by hotel in street (9) | SHABBIEST | Definition: Extremely scruffy
H ("hotel) + (c)ABBIES ("taxi drivers" with their "start off") in ST |
Don Juan, for one, is fellow in cracking romance (9) | LIBERTINE | Definition: Don Juan, for one
BERT ("fellow") + IN "cracking" LIE |
Fiat's yellow colour repelled (5) | ORDER | Definition: Fiat
OR ("yellow") + <=RED
*OR is more commonly indicated by GOLD, but according to Chambers, it can also be YELLOW. |
Constant inept cooking is masked by a promising dessert (7,7) | CABINET PUDDING | Definition: dessert
C(onstant) + (*inept) in A BUDDING ("promising")
*Cabinet pudding is a traditional English pudding made from bread (or sponge) and dried fuit. |
Of tabloid papers for starters, those fresh out will be this (3,3,3,5) | HOT OFF THE PRESS | Definition: Of tabloid papers for starters, those fresh out will be this
*(of TP those fresh), where T and P are the initials ("starters") of "tabloid papers" |
Underground centre for storage? Some plants have one (5) | TUBER | Definition: Some plants have one
TUBE ("underground") + (sto)R(age) |
Placed vase in Earl's grave (9) | SATURNINE | Definition: grave
SAT + URN + IN E |
Is not impressed by society abandoning joint litigant (9) | PLAINTIFF | Definition: litigant
AIN'T ("isn't") in (s)PLIFF ("joint" with S(ociety) abandoning it) |
Daybreak for poet's said to be sorrowful (5) | MOURN | Definition: to be sorrowful
Homophone of MORN |
Inheritance outwardly hers? Could be, having succeeded (7) | HEIRESS | Definition: Inheritance outwardly hers? Could be, having succeeded
*(IE hers) + S("succeeded"), where IE is I(nheritanc)E ("inheritance outwardly") |
They don't like work shoes (7) | LOAFERS | Definition: They don't like work
Double definition |
Kick clothes horse, having lost fastener (6) | TOGGLE | Definition: fastener
TOE "clothes" GG ("horse") + L(ost) |
Sound when screening Raging Bull left as loud as possible? (4-5) | FULL-BLAST | Definition: as loud as possible
FAST ("sound") "screening (*(bull) + L) |
Enthusiastic but a bore when speaking (5) | EAGER | Definition: Enthusiastic
Homophone of EAGRE (a tidal "bore") |
Jack's at home, getting stuck into Spanish wine? He's not this (9) | ABSTINENT | Definition: He's not this
AB'S ("jack") + IN ("at home") "getting stuck into" TENT ("Spanish wine")
*Tent is a Spanish wine, from Galicia or Malaga. |
Deposit account held by famous driver is mounting (5) | SCALE | Definition: Deposit
<=(A/c in ELS)
*Crosswordland's most famous golfer (ie one who drives) is undoubtedly Ernie ELS. |
Mark's brother stuffing duck? That's to provide embellishment (9) | EMBROIDER | Definition: to provide embellishment
M + BRO in EIDER |
I agree, daughter has to improve (5) | AMEND | Definition: to improve
AMEN ("I agree") + D |
Trusted friend wants change? Say nothing! (5,3) | ALTER EGO | Definition: Trusted friend
ALTER + E.G. + 0 |
Barrier Reef only half protected – going under in consequence (9) | INFERENCE | Definition: consequence
(RE(ef) "protected" by FENCE ("barrier")) "going under" IN |
Abundant supply left up in London at first (9) | PLENTIFUL | Definition: Abundant
*(left up in L) where the L is the fist letter of London |
Found popular replacement after losing editor (9) | INSTITUTE | Definition: Found
IN ("popular") replacing SUB ("editor") in SUBSTITUTE ("replacement") |
Outside small house unknown chap breaks neck (8) | CHUTZPAH | Definition: neck
*(chap) "outside" HUT + Z |
Up in second half score first, securing game (6) | TENNIS | Definition: game
*I stuggled to parse this, but Gaufrid came to the rescue (see comment 1 below) |
I poke about, eating hot Indian food (5) | BHAJI | Definition: Indian food
<+I JAB "eatng" H |
More than one bargain turns up (5) | SNIPS | Definition: More than one bargain
<=SPINS |
Take part in humdrum ballroom dance (5) | RUMBA | Definition: dance
Hidden in "humd**RUM BA**llroom" |
Force acquiring thousands by way of business (8) | COMMERCE | Force acquiring thousands by way of business (8)
COERCE "acquiring" MM ("thousands") |
Sculpted statue — that's clever! (6) | ASTUTE | Sculpted statue — that's clever! (6)
*(statue) |
Remove it, as ordered, for extra pay (8) | OVERTIME | Remove it, as ordered, for extra pay (8)
*(remove it) |
Shaving, father receives phone call (6) | PARING | Shaving, father receives phone call (6)
PA + RING |
The Muhammedan world is hit (5) | ISLAM | The Muhammedan world is hit (5)
IS + LAM |
Reserved, but singularly partisan (2,3,4) | ONONESIDE | Reserved, but singularly partisan (2,3,4)
Double definition |
Smith's work with a principal is progressing well (7,5) | FORGING AHEAD | Smith's work with a principal is progressing well (7,5)
FORGING + A HEAD
*HEAD is defined as "principal" in* *8dn as well. |
Conclude negotiations about the academic year? (5,2,5) | AGREE TO TERMS | Conclude negotiations about the academic year? (5,2,5)
Double definition of TERMS |
Food from the earth — £500 to an aficionado (6,3) | MONKEY NUT | Food from the earth — £500 to an aficionado (6,3)
MONKEY (slang for "£500") + NUT ("aficionado") |
Impertinence one might get from a waiter (5) | SAUCE | Impertinence one might get from a waiter (5)
Double definition |
Shade that makes little difference (6) | NUANCE | Shade that makes little difference (6)
Cryptic definition |
Poison counter (8) | ANTIDOTE | Poison counter (8)
Cryptic definition |
Bottom place on top of a mount (6) | SADDLE | Bottom place on top of a mount (6)
Cryptic definition – where one puts one's bottom when on a mount |
Stopped and taken into custody (8) | ARRESTED | Stopped and taken into custody (8)
Double definition |
Inevitably, it crumbles (6) | COOKIE | Inevitably, it crumbles (6)
Cryptic definition
*As in "that's the way the cookie crumbles" |
Food that makes us extremely slim. lithe and invigorated, for starters (6) | MUESLI | Food that makes us extremely slim. lithe and invigorated, for starters (6)
First letters of **M**akes **U**s **E**xtremely **S**lim **L**ithe and **I**nvigorated
*I don't like the "and" being *in there. |
Off the cuff, so to speak (9) | EXTEMPORE | Off the cuff, so to speak (9)
Slightly cryptic definition |
Such land is an accepted basis of discussion (6,6) | COMMON GROUND | Such land is an accepted basis of discussion (6,6)
Double definition |
Plate of fish (5) | SCALE | Plate of fish (5)
Cryptic definition |
Employed the Italian in various duties (8) | UTILISED | Employed the Italian in various duties (8)
IL in *(duties) |
Urge school principals to become intellectuals (8) | EGGHEADS | Urge school principals to become intellectuals (8)
EGG + HEADS
*HEAD is defined by "principal" in 14 ac as well. |
A singing bank teller? (7-5) | COUNTER-TENOR | A singing bank teller? (7-5)
Play on the word COUNTER |
Peace for the time being — it's a crime, if one breaks it (9) | ARMISTICE | Peace for the time being — it's a crime, if one breaks it (9)
*(its a crime) |
Sort of step many debtors neglect to make (8) | PAYMENTS | Sort of step many debtors neglect to make (8)
*(step many) |
An over-indulgent draughtsman? (8) | DRUNKARD | An over-indulgent draughtsman? (8)
Someone who has too many draughts |
Yet you may feel so, if taken in by somebody (3,3) | PUT OUT | Yet you may feel so, if taken in by somebody (3,3)
Play on words |
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