0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Horrid giant rodent's first seen after spring. Horrid giant rodent! (7,3)	JUMPING RAT	Definition: Horrid giant rodent (giant r) "seen after" JUMP* (spring)
The last character to be chauffeured, like Julius in St. Petersburg? (4)	CZAR	Definition: like Julius in St. Petersburg Z (last character) in CAR ("in car" = chauffeured) (Julius) Caesar became CZAR in Russia.
Boycott, opener for England and Yorkshire, gutted to get injury (5,3)	BLACK EYE	Definition: injury BLACK (boycott) + E(ngland) + Y(orkshir)**E
Am I to be sacked from paper, folding in the spring? (6)	ORIGIN	Definition: spring ORIG (am i) + **IN
Sci-fi series rejected pitch featuring a dash of nudity (6)	STREAK	Definition: dash of nudity S(tar) TREK "featuring" **A
Tense scenes! Dr. Seuss put in prison! (8)	SUSPENSE	Definition: Tense scenes (seuss) with PEN *(prison) "put in"
Giuseppe burned, shedding skin (5)	VERDI	Definition: Giuseppe (o)VERDI(d) Referring to Giuseppe Verdi, the italian composer of operas such as Aida.
Dump run down old banger (7,4)	RUBBISH HEAP	Definition: Dump RUBBISH (run down) + HEAP (old banger)
The ratings are bound to go up after this broadcast (3,5,2,4)	ALL HANDS ON DECK	Definition: The ratings are bound to go up after this broadcast Cryptic definition
Quarrel with sergeant about battle order (7,8)	GENERAL QUARTERS	Quarrel with sergeant about battle order (7,8) *(quarrel sergeant) "General quarters" is an order on a warship to be ready for action
I toast sanction-busting call to arms (6,8)	ACTION STATIONS	Definition: call to arms *(i toast sanction)
Take wickets of openers, getting a pair (3)	TWO	Definition: a pair T(ake) W(ickets) O(f)
Faithfully recorded Callas performing outside broadcast on Radio Three (9)	CLASSICAL	Definition: broadcast on Radio Three (callas) "outside" SIC *(faithfully recorded)
For the doctor's travel magazine, a feature penned by Julius (4,7)	TIME MACHINE	Definition: For the doctor's travel TIME (magazine) + A CHIN (a feature) "penned by" ME (Julius), so TIME M(A CHIN)E Referring to the Tardis, Doctor Who's time machine
Randy (a bloke from Riga) picked up a bit of litter (9)	SEXTUPLET	Definition: a bit of litter Homophone of SEXED UP LETT (as indicated by "picked up")
Say goodbye to Fatty; take some exercise! (5)	ADIOS	Say goodbye to Fatty; take some exercise! (5) ADI(p)OS(e) (fatty – P.E.)
McQueen regularly used a prompt (3)	CUE	Definition: a prompt (M)C(Q)U(e)E(n)
Play this on 1 March badly, then 1 April (9)	HARMONICA	Definition: Play this (on i march) + *A
Fiddle in the morning at 1 (5)	AMATI	Definition: Fiddle A.M. + AT 1 The Amati family were violin makers in Cremona from the mid 1500s to the mid 1700s.
Question states: "Should these be sung with tremolo?" (7)	QUAVERS	Definition: Should these be sung with tremolo Qu. + **AVERS
Last part learned in upright position (7)	ENDWISE	Definition: in upright position END (last part) + WISE (learned)
European composer nearly withdraws good score, of course (5)	EAGLE	Definition: good score, of course E(uropean) + <=ELGA(r) An eagle is 2 under par in golf, so a "good score" on the course.
Clan wars overwhelm Cornish resort, as Spooner has it? (5,4)	BLOOD FEUD	Definition: Clan wars Spoonerism of **FLOOD BUDE
Euphemistic drama, terribly hot physical test (3,8,4)	THESCOTTISHPLAY	Definition: Euphemistic drama (hot physical test) "The Scottish Play" is a euphemism for Macbeth*, used instead of the play's name as it is supposed to be unlicky for anyone associated with the theatre to mention the title of the play.
Almost all soldiers in a group love performing musical (9)	BRIGADOON	Definition: musical BRIGAD(e) + 0 + ON (performing)
Queen takes in one orphan (5)	ANNIE	Definition: orphan (Queen) ANNE "takes in" **1
Game played in the Dog and Fish (7)	CURLING	Definition: Game CUR + **LING
Clansmen continue south, crossing road (7)	GORDONS	Definition: Clansmen GO ON S (continue south) "crossing" **Rd.
Old landowner's article defending origins of art nouveau (5)	THANE	Definition: Old landowner's THE "defending" A(rt) N(ouveau)
Hide supplier at rebuilt gorilla cages (9)	ALLIGATOR	Definition: Hide supplier AT "caged by" *(gorilla)
Examines old boat, say, getting a bit detached? (6,4)	CHEQUE STUB	Definition: a bit detached Homophone of **CHECKS TUB
Instrument needs altering in different places (8)	TRIANGLE	Definition: Instrument *(altering)
He wrote the Ancient Mariner (6)	POPEYE	Definition: Mariner (Alexander) POPE (a poet, therefore "he wrote") + YE (the ancient)
A wife abandons puzzle and dances (4)	JIGS	Definition: dances JIGS(aw)
Scots trick one of their own, holding a light (10)	CALEDONIAN	Definition: Scots CON IAN "holding" **A L.E.D.
Pompous type had one curry sent up (3-2-3)	LAHDIDAH	Definition: Pompous type <= HAD 1 DHAL Strictly speaking, dhal is a potential ingredient for a curry, rather than a curry itself. Chambers has "a cooked dish" made from dhal as a definitiion, so this clue is probably OK.
Cross line leaving for take-off (6)	SATIRE	Definition: take-off SA(l)**TIRE
It's played very loudly around one eastern county (4)	FIFE	Definition: It's played Double definition and (FF (very loudly) "around" 1) + E(ast)
Say catchphrase over in pub that's used by climbers (6,4)	BOTTOM GEAR	Definition: that's used by climbers <=e.g. MOTTO "in" BAR A driver would use bottom gear when climbing a hill.
Maybe peck seed Murray ground (3,7)	DRY MEASURE	Definition: Maybe peck *(seed Murray) A peck is an example of a dry measure.
Edit article about new liquorice stick (8)	CLARINET	Definition: liquorice stick (article) "about" N*(ew) "Liquorice stick" is a slang term for a clarinet.
Rowdies touring in Spain see dirty jumpers here (4-4)	LINEOUTS	Definition: dirty jumpers here LOUTS "touring" IN E, where E = Spain. In rugby, line-outs are contested by the forwards jumping for the ball, and certainly by the end of the game, rugby players could be described as "dirty".
Around noon, radio broadcast raid (6)	INROAD	Definition: raid (radio) "around" N*(oon)
Charioteer drivers carrying superior gear (6)	AURIGA	Definition: Charioteer A.A. (Automobile Association, hence "drivers") "carrying U (superior) + RIG (gear)
Show around back street (4)	CATS	Definition: Show Ca. (circa, so "around") + <=**St.
In which to see drivers turn left in odd places (4)	GOLF	Definition: In which to see drivers GO + L(e)F(t)
Repeatedly nick steps (6)	CANCAN	Repeatedly nick steps (6) CAN (nick) "repeated"
Old pile passed on and acquired easily (2,1,5)	ON A PLATE	Old pile passed on and acquired easily (2,1,5) O(ld) + NAP (pile) + LATE (passed on)
Vehicle in space requiring one-off permit around Italian river (6)	APOLLO	Vehicle in space requiring one-off permit around Italian river (6) ALLO(w)(permit with "one off") "around" PO (Italian river)
Con small person to get in drink (6,2)	STITCH UP	Con small person to get in drink (6,2) TITCH (small person) "to get in" SUP ("drink")
Shaving, brother heard rodent (8)	CHIPMUNK	Shaving, brother heard rodent (8) CHIP (shaving, as in a wood shaving) + homophone of MONK (brother)
Musician's slowly procuring a building alongside house? (4-2)	LEAN-TO	Musician's slowly procuring a building alongside house? (4-2) LENTO (slow in music) "procuring" **A
Some commuter hurried around industrial region (4)	RUHR	Some commuter hurried around industrial region (4) Hidden backwards in "commuteR HURried" The Ruhr is an area in Germany with a population of 8-9 million, which was built on heavy industry.
East Sussex resident maybe caught aquatic transport – and another type (10)	HOVERCRAFT	East Sussex resident maybe caught aquatic transport – and another type (10) HOVER (resident of Hove, maybe?) + C(aught) + RAFT Not sure about Hover? Is someone from Hove called a Hover, or is the setter looking for the "resident" bit to be R?
Perhaps wedding ring found somewhere in California (10)	SACRAMENTO	Perhaps wedding ring found somewhere in California (10) SACRAMENT (perhaps wedding) + O (ring) Sacramento is the capital of California.
Competent learner sitting in Lincoln (4)	ABLE	Competent learner sitting in Lincoln (4) L(earner) "sitting in" ABE (Lincoln)
Pump up a cycle – flat tyre, at rear (6)	AERATE	Pump up a cycle – flat tyre, at rear (6) A ERA (a cycle) + (fla)T (tyr)**E
Surely deviating from the correct route, one fellow's lost (2,6)	OF COURSE	Surely deviating from the correct route, one fellow's lost (2,6) OF(f)** COURSE
Hound extremist during work in US (8)	LABRADOR	Hound extremist during work in US (8) RAD (extremist) "during" LABOR (American spelling of "labour")
Tie problem for the head after schoolkids protest in principle (6)	SPLICE	Tie problem for the head after schoolkids protest in principle (6) LICE (problem for the head) after S(choolkids) P(rotest)
Wild beast occupies land? Refuse to go here (5,3)	WASTE BIN	Wild beast occupies land? Refuse to go here (5,3) (beast) in WIN *(land, as in "land a contract", eg)
Creative work to maintain animal home's impassioned (6)	ARDENT	Creative work to maintain animal home's impassioned (6) ART (creative work) "to maintain" DEN (animal's home)
Old poet's writing, say, after seeing two churches lined with gold (7)	CHAUCER	Old poet's writing, say, after seeing two churches lined with gold (7) R (one of the misleading three R's – reading, writing and 'rithmetic) "after" CH and CE (two churches) "lined with" AU (gold), so **CH(AU)CE-R
Period at sea once, with books welcome on board (9)	NEOLITHIC	Period at sea once, with books welcome on board (9) (once) with LIT* (books, as in "chick-lit") + HI (welcome) "on board), so **NEO(LIT-HI)C
After father picked up, see doctor's self-confidence (6)	APLOMB	After father picked up, see doctor's self-confidence (6) <=PA, + LO (see) + MB (Bachelor Medicine, so "doctor")
Final Tyneside races (4)	NETT	Final Tyneside races (4) N.E. (North East, so Tyneside, at least to English people, Tyneside is South East of where I live :)) + TT (races)
In The Crown, it's nice playing game on one's own (8)	PATIENCE	In The Crown, it's nice playing game on one's own (8) (nice) in PATE* (crown)
Very pale, like woman at pre- nuptial event (5)	ASHEN	Very pale, like woman at pre- nuptial event (5) AS HEN, as in "at a hen party"
Take advantage of policeman when losing daughter in "way out" (7)	EXPLOIT	Take advantage of policeman when losing daughter in "way out" (7) PLO(d) (policeman without D for daughter) in EXIT (way out)
Rising reserve wins corner in game (7)	SNOOKER	Rising reserve wins corner in game (7) <=Res. "wins" NOOK (corner)
Drive back and act like an aristocrat (4,3)	BEAT OFF	Drive back and act like an aristocrat (4,3) **BE A TOFF
Vegetable outstanding soldier keeps in pannier regularly (9)	AUBERGINE	Vegetable outstanding soldier keeps in pannier regularly (9) UBER G.I. (outstanding soldier) "in" (p)A(n)N(i)E(r)
Vehicle with A-reg vacated in the ancient city (8)	CARTHAGE	Vehicle with A-reg vacated in the ancient city (8) CAR (vehicle) + (A(re)G in THE)
Bird rolls about in mud perhaps, tail first (7)	SWALLOW	Bird rolls about in mud perhaps, tail first (7) WALLOWS with the S (the last letter, so the "tail" put first)
The day before holiday peak (7)	EVEREST	The day before holiday peak (7) EVE (the day before) + REST (holiday)
Bobby, I'm surprised, embraces social science course (6)	COPPER	Bobby, I'm surprised, embraces social science course (6) COR (I'm surprised) "embraces" PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)
Puzzle found on public transport (5)	REBUS	Puzzle found on public transport (5) RE (on) + **BUS
Anyone raging repeatedly inside needs this spiritualist? (4)	YOGI	Anyone raging repeatedly inside needs this spiritualist? (4) The insides of "anYOne raGIng"
All in Schengen angry about Hungary's barrier to migrants? (7,7)	ENGLISH CHANNEL	All in Schengen angry about Hungary's barrier to migrants? (7,7) (all in schengen) "about" H*(ungary)
Pressure put on old college showing little growth (5)	POLYP	Pressure put on old college showing little growth (5) P(ressure) "put on" POLY(technic college)
Wrongly tell teacher losing tail-ender's playing well (9)	MISINFORM	Wrongly tell teacher losing tail-ender's playing well (9) MIS(s) **IN FORM
Tories out — now! (5,4)	RIGHT AWAY	Tories out — now! (5,4) RIGHT (Tories) + AWAY (out)
Article finally put in this month? (5)	INSET	Article finally put in this month? (5) (articl)E "put in" INST. (this month)
Track birds (5)	RAILS	Track birds (5) Double definition
Ran through tall grass catching catches (9)	REHEARSED	Ran through tall grass catching catches (9) REED (tall grass) "catching" HEARS (catches)
Continue drinking tea, heading off before serious play starts (9)	PRESEASON	Continue drinking tea, heading off before serious play starts (9) PRESS ON (continue) "drinking" (t)**EA
Jersey enthusiast possibly rejected jacket (5)	TUNIC	Jersey enthusiast possibly rejected jacket (5) <= C.I. NUT, where C.I. = Channel Islands, of which Jersey is one
Itinerant lecturer returning to collect degree (5)	NOMAD	Itinerant lecturer returning to collect degree (5) <= DON (lecturer, "returning") "to collect" M.A. (degree)
Audible warning, if switching authentic weapon (4,5)	FIRE ALARM	Audible warning, if switching authentic weapon (4,5) <=IF + **REAL ARM
Deceitful kind of bowling? (9)	UNDERHAND	Deceitful kind of bowling? (9) Double definition
Franco-German agreement needed to contact the other side? (5)	OUIJA	Franco-German agreement needed to contact the other side? (5) OUI + JA ("yes" in French and German)
Unaffected sequence of events in Darwin's study (7,7)	NATURAL HISTORY	Unaffected sequence of events in Darwin's study (7,7) NATURAL (unaffected) + HISTORY (sequence of events)
Expert swimmer, male, adapted proper, genuine clothing (7,7)	EMPEROR PENGUIN	Expert swimmer, male, adapted proper, genuine clothing (7,7) (propere genuine) "clothing" M*(ale)
Turn on light and get cracking with this? (9)	GELIGNITE	Turn on light and get cracking with this? (9) <=LEG (on (side), in crcket, = leg (side)) + IGNITE (light)
Trendy place to feed (5)	INPUT	Trendy place to feed (5) IN (trendy) + PUT (place)
Forster's End keeping the author away from work? (9)	HOMEWARDS	Forster's End keeping the author away from work? (9) HOWARDS (End) (a book by E.M. Forster) "keeping" ME (the author)
Soft copper cast (5)	CUSHY	Soft copper cast (5) Cu (copper) + SHY (cast)
An Alsatian night worker, who's paid after work? (9)	ANNUITANT	An Alsatian night worker, who's paid after work? (9) AN + NUIT (Alsatian night) + ANT "Nuit" is the French for night, and Alsace is part of France, hence "Alsatian night"
Sanction stops child turning corners (5)	NOOKS	Sanction stops child turning corners (5) O.K. (sanction) "stops" <=SON (child, "turning")
Business such as typecast actors might create? (7,7)	LIMITED COMPANY	Business such as typecast actors might create? (7,7) Cryptic definition

Horrid giant rodent's first seen after spring. Horrid giant rodent! (7,3)

JUMPING RAT

Definition: Horrid giant rodent *(giant r) "seen after" **JUMP** (spring)

The last character to be chauffeured, like Julius in St. Petersburg? (4)

CZAR

Definition: like Julius in St. Petersburg **Z** (last character) in **CAR **("in car" = chauffeured) (Julius) Caesar became CZAR in Russia.

Boycott, opener for England and Yorkshire, gutted to get injury (5,3)

BLACK EYE

Definition: injury **BLACK **(boycott) + **E**(ngland) + **Y**(orkshir)**E

Am I to be sacked from paper, folding in the spring? (6)

ORIGIN

Definition: spring **ORIG **(am i) + **IN

Sci-fi series rejected pitch featuring a dash of nudity (6)

STREAK

Definition: dash of nudity **S**(tar) **TREK **"featuring" **A

Tense scenes! Dr. Seuss put in prison! (8)

SUSPENSE

Definition: Tense scenes *(seuss) with **PEN **(prison) "put in"

Giuseppe burned, shedding skin (5)

VERDI

Definition: Giuseppe (o)**VERDI**(d) Referring to Giuseppe Verdi, the italian composer of operas such as *Aida*.

Dump run down old banger (7,4)

RUBBISH HEAP

Definition: Dump **RUBBISH **(run down) + **HEAP **(old banger)

The ratings are bound to go up after this broadcast (3,5,2,4)

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Definition: The ratings are bound to go up after this broadcast Cryptic definition

Quarrel with sergeant about battle order (7,8)

GENERAL QUARTERS

Quarrel with sergeant about battle order (7,8) *(quarrel sergeant) "General quarters" is an order on a warship to be ready for action

I toast sanction-busting call to arms (6,8)

ACTION STATIONS

Definition: call to arms *(i toast sanction)

Take wickets of openers, getting a pair (3)

TWO

Definition: a pair **T**(ake) **W**(ickets) **O**(f)

Faithfully recorded Callas performing outside broadcast on Radio Three (9)

CLASSICAL

Definition: broadcast on Radio Three *(callas) "outside" **SIC **(faithfully recorded)

For the doctor's travel magazine, a feature penned by Julius (4,7)

TIME MACHINE

Definition: For the doctor's travel **TIME** (magazine) + **A CHIN** (a feature) "penned by" **ME** (Julius), so **TIME M(A CHIN)E** Referring to the Tardis, Doctor Who's time machine

Randy (a bloke from Riga) picked up a bit of litter (9)

SEXTUPLET

Definition: a bit of litter Homophone of **SEXED UP LETT** (as indicated by "picked up")

Say goodbye to Fatty; take some exercise! (5)

ADIOS

Say goodbye to Fatty; take some exercise! (5) **ADI**(p)**OS**(e) (fatty – P.E.)

McQueen regularly used a prompt (3)

CUE

Definition: a prompt (M)**C**(Q)**U**(e)**E**(n)

Play this on 1 March badly, then 1 April (9)

HARMONICA

Definition: Play this *(on i march) + **A

Fiddle in the morning at 1 (5)

AMATI

Definition: Fiddle **A.M.** + **AT 1** The Amati family were violin makers in Cremona from the mid 1500s to the mid 1700s.

Question states: "Should these be sung with tremolo?" (7)

QUAVERS

Definition: Should these be sung with tremolo **Qu. **+ **AVERS

Last part learned in upright position (7)

ENDWISE

Definition: in upright position **END** (last part) + **WISE** (learned)

European composer nearly withdraws good score, of course (5)

EAGLE

Definition: good score, of course **E**(uropean) + <=**ELGA**(r) An eagle is 2 under par in golf, so a "good score" on the course.

Clan wars overwhelm Cornish resort, as Spooner has it? (5,4)

BLOOD FEUD

Definition: Clan wars Spoonerism of **FLOOD BUDE

Euphemistic drama, terribly hot physical test (3,8,4)

THESCOTTISHPLAY

Definition: Euphemistic drama *(hot physical test) "The Scottish Play" is a euphemism for *Macbeth**,* used instead of the play's name as it is supposed to be unlicky for anyone associated with the theatre to mention the title of the play.

Almost all soldiers in a group love performing musical (9)

BRIGADOON

Definition: musical **BRIGAD**(e) + **0 **+ **ON **(performing)

Queen takes in one orphan (5)

ANNIE

Definition: orphan (Queen) **ANNE **"takes in" **1

Game played in the Dog and Fish (7)

CURLING

Definition: Game **CUR **+ **LING

Clansmen continue south, crossing road (7)

GORDONS

Definition: Clansmen **GO ON S **(continue south) "crossing" **Rd.

Old landowner's article defending origins of art nouveau (5)

THANE

Definition: Old landowner's **THE** "defending" **A**(rt) **N**(ouveau)

Hide supplier at rebuilt gorilla cages (9)

ALLIGATOR

Definition: Hide supplier **AT **"caged by" *(gorilla)

Examines old boat, say, getting a bit detached? (6,4)

CHEQUE STUB

Definition: a bit detached Homophone of **CHECKS TUB

Instrument needs altering in different places (8)

TRIANGLE

Definition: Instrument *(altering)

He wrote the Ancient Mariner (6)

POPEYE

Definition: Mariner (Alexander) **POPE **(a poet, therefore "he wrote") + **YE **(the ancient)

A wife abandons puzzle and dances (4)

JIGS

Definition: dances **JIGS**(aw)

Scots trick one of their own, holding a light (10)

CALEDONIAN

Definition: Scots **CON IAN **"holding" **A L.E.D.

Pompous type had one curry sent up (3-2-3)

LAHDIDAH

Definition: Pompous type <= **HAD 1 DHAL** Strictly speaking, dhal is a potential ingredient for a curry, rather than a curry itself. Chambers has "a cooked dish" made from dhal as a definitiion, so this clue is probably OK.

Cross line leaving for take-off (6)

SATIRE

Definition: take-off **SA**(l)**TIRE

It's played very loudly around one eastern county (4)

FIFE

Definition: It's played Double definition and (**FF** (very loudly) "around" **1**) + **E**(ast)

Say catchphrase over in pub that's used by climbers (6,4)

BOTTOM GEAR

Definition: that's used by climbers <=**e.g. MOTTO** "in" **BAR ** A driver would use bottom gear when climbing a hill.

Maybe peck seed Murray ground (3,7)

DRY MEASURE

Definition: Maybe peck *(seed Murray) A peck is an example of a dry measure.

Edit article about new liquorice stick (8)

CLARINET

Definition: liquorice stick *(article) "about" **N**(ew) "Liquorice stick" is a slang term for a clarinet.

Rowdies touring in Spain see dirty jumpers here (4-4)

LINEOUTS

Definition: dirty jumpers here **LOUTS** "touring" **IN E**, where E = Spain. In rugby, line-outs are contested by the forwards jumping for the ball, and certainly by the end of the game, rugby players could be described as "dirty".

Around noon, radio broadcast raid (6)

INROAD

Definition: raid *(radio) "around" **N**(oon)

Charioteer drivers carrying superior gear (6)

AURIGA

Definition: Charioteer **A.A. **(Automobile Association, hence "drivers") "carrying **U** (superior) + **RIG **(gear)

Show around back street (4)

CATS

Definition: Show **Ca. **(circa, so "around") + <=**St.

In which to see drivers turn left in odd places (4)

GOLF

Definition: In which to see drivers **GO **+ **L**(e)**F**(t)

Repeatedly nick steps (6)

CANCAN

Repeatedly nick steps (6) **CAN **(nick) "repeated"

Old pile passed on and acquired easily (2,1,5)

ON A PLATE

Old pile passed on and acquired easily (2,1,5) **O**(ld) + **NAP** (pile) + **LATE** (passed on)

Vehicle in space requiring one-off permit around Italian river (6)

APOLLO

Vehicle in space requiring one-off permit around Italian river (6) **ALLO**(w)(permit with "one off") "around" **PO** (Italian river)

Con small person to get in drink (6,2)

STITCH UP

Con small person to get in drink (6,2) **TITCH** (small person) "to get in" **SUP** ("drink")

Shaving, brother heard rodent (8)

CHIPMUNK

Shaving, brother heard rodent (8) **CHIP** (shaving, as in a wood shaving) + homophone of **MONK **(brother)

Musician's slowly procuring a building alongside house? (4-2)

LEAN-TO

Musician's slowly procuring a building alongside house? (4-2) **LENTO **(slow in music) "procuring" **A

Some commuter hurried around industrial region (4)

RUHR

Some commuter hurried around industrial region (4) Hidden backwards in "commute**R HUR**ried" The Ruhr is an area in Germany with a population of 8-9 million, which was built on heavy industry.

East Sussex resident maybe caught aquatic transport – and another type (10)

HOVERCRAFT

East Sussex resident maybe caught aquatic transport – and another type (10) **HOVER **(resident of Hove, maybe?) + **C**(aught) + **RAFT **Not sure about Hover? Is someone from Hove called a Hover, or is the setter looking for the "resident" bit to be R?

Perhaps wedding ring found somewhere in California (10)

SACRAMENTO

Perhaps wedding ring found somewhere in California (10) **SACRAMENT** (perhaps wedding) + **O** (ring) Sacramento is the capital of California.

Competent learner sitting in Lincoln (4)

ABLE

Competent learner sitting in Lincoln (4) **L**(earner) "sitting in" **ABE **(Lincoln)

Pump up a cycle – flat tyre, at rear (6)

AERATE

Pump up a cycle – flat tyre, at rear (6) **A ERA **(a cycle) + (fla)**T **(tyr)**E

Surely deviating from the correct route, one fellow's lost (2,6)

OF COURSE

Surely deviating from the correct route, one fellow's lost (2,6) **OF**(f)** COURSE

Hound extremist during work in US (8)

LABRADOR

Hound extremist during work in US (8) **RAD **(extremist) "during" **LABOR **(American spelling of "labour")

Tie problem for the head after schoolkids protest in principle (6)

SPLICE

Tie problem for the head after schoolkids protest in principle (6) **LICE **(problem for the head) after **S**(choolkids) **P**(rotest)

Wild beast occupies land? Refuse to go here (5,3)

WASTE BIN

Wild beast occupies land? Refuse to go here (5,3) *(beast) in **WIN **(land, as in "land a contract", eg)

Creative work to maintain animal home's impassioned (6)

ARDENT

Creative work to maintain animal home's impassioned (6) **ART** (creative work) "to maintain" **DEN **(animal's home)

Old poet's writing, say, after seeing two churches lined with gold (7)

CHAUCER

Old poet's writing, say, after seeing two churches lined with gold (7) **R **(one of the misleading three R's – reading, writing and 'rithmetic) "after" **CH **and **CE **(two churches) "lined with" **AU **(gold), so **CH(AU)CE-R

Period at sea once, with books welcome on board (9)

NEOLITHIC

Period at sea once, with books welcome on board (9) *(once) with **LIT** (books, as in "chick-lit") + **HI **(welcome) "on board), so **NEO(LIT-HI)C

After father picked up, see doctor's self-confidence (6)

APLOMB

After father picked up, see doctor's self-confidence (6) <=**PA**, + **LO** (see) + **MB** (Bachelor Medicine, so "doctor")

Final Tyneside races (4)

NETT

Final Tyneside races (4) **N.E. **(North East, so Tyneside, *at least to English people, Tyneside is South East of where I live* :)) + **TT** (races)

In The Crown, it's nice playing game on one's own (8)

PATIENCE

In The Crown, it's nice playing game on one's own (8) *(nice) in **PATE** (crown)

Very pale, like woman at pre- nuptial event (5)

ASHEN

Very pale, like woman at pre- nuptial event (5) **AS HEN**, as in "at a hen party"

Take advantage of policeman when losing daughter in "way out" (7)

EXPLOIT

Take advantage of policeman when losing daughter in "way out" (7) **PLO**(d) (policeman without D for daughter) in **EXIT **(way out)

Rising reserve wins corner in game (7)

SNOOKER

Rising reserve wins corner in game (7) <=**Res**. "wins" **NOOK** (corner)

Drive back and act like an aristocrat (4,3)

BEAT OFF

Drive back and act like an aristocrat (4,3) **BE A TOFF

Vegetable outstanding soldier keeps in pannier regularly (9)

AUBERGINE

Vegetable outstanding soldier keeps in pannier regularly (9) **UBER G.I. **(outstanding soldier) "in" (p)A(n)**N**(i)**E**(r)

Vehicle with A-reg vacated in the ancient city (8)

CARTHAGE

Vehicle with A-reg vacated in the ancient city (8) **CAR** (vehicle) + (**A**(re)**G **in **THE**)

Bird rolls about in mud perhaps, tail first (7)

SWALLOW

Bird rolls about in mud perhaps, tail first (7) **WALLOWS** with the S (the last letter, so the "tail" put first)

The day before holiday peak (7)

EVEREST

The day before holiday peak (7) **EVE** (the day before) + **REST** (holiday)

Bobby, I'm surprised, embraces social science course (6)

COPPER

Bobby, I'm surprised, embraces social science course (6) **COR** (I'm surprised) "embraces" **PPE **(Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

Puzzle found on public transport (5)

REBUS

Puzzle found on public transport (5) **RE** (on) + **BUS

Anyone raging repeatedly inside needs this spiritualist? (4)

YOGI

Anyone raging repeatedly inside needs this spiritualist? (4) The insides of "an**YO**ne ra**GI**ng"

All in Schengen angry about Hungary's barrier to migrants? (7,7)

ENGLISH CHANNEL

All in Schengen angry about Hungary's barrier to migrants? (7,7) *(all in schengen) "about" **H**(ungary)

Pressure put on old college showing little growth (5)

POLYP

Pressure put on old college showing little growth (5) **P**(ressure) "put on" **POLY**(technic college)

Wrongly tell teacher losing tail-ender's playing well (9)

MISINFORM

Wrongly tell teacher losing tail-ender's playing well (9) **MIS**(s) **IN FORM

Tories out — now! (5,4)

RIGHT AWAY

Tories out — now! (5,4) **RIGHT **(Tories) + **AWAY** (out)

Article finally put in this month? (5)

INSET

Article finally put in this month? (5) (articl)**E **"put in" **INST. **(this month)

Track birds (5)

RAILS

Track birds (5) Double definition

Ran through tall grass catching catches (9)

REHEARSED

Ran through tall grass catching catches (9) **REED **(tall grass) "catching" **HEARS** (catches)

Continue drinking tea, heading off before serious play starts (9)

PRESEASON

Continue drinking tea, heading off before serious play starts (9) **PRESS ON **(continue) "drinking" (t)**EA

Jersey enthusiast possibly rejected jacket (5)

TUNIC

Jersey enthusiast possibly rejected jacket (5) <= **C.I. NUT**, where C.I. = Channel Islands, of which Jersey is one

Itinerant lecturer returning to collect degree (5)

NOMAD

Itinerant lecturer returning to collect degree (5) <= **DON **(lecturer, "returning") "to collect" **M.A. **(degree)

Audible warning, if switching authentic weapon (4,5)

FIRE ALARM

Audible warning, if switching authentic weapon (4,5) **<=****IF** + **REAL ARM

Deceitful kind of bowling? (9)

UNDERHAND

Deceitful kind of bowling? (9) Double definition

Franco-German agreement needed to contact the other side? (5)

OUIJA

Franco-German agreement needed to contact the other side? (5) **OUI **+ **JA **("yes" in French and German)

Unaffected sequence of events in Darwin's study (7,7)

NATURAL HISTORY

Unaffected sequence of events in Darwin's study (7,7) **NATURAL **(unaffected) + **HISTORY** (sequence of events)

Expert swimmer, male, adapted proper, genuine clothing (7,7)

EMPEROR PENGUIN

Expert swimmer, male, adapted proper, genuine clothing (7,7) *(propere genuine) "clothing" **M**(ale)

Turn on light and get cracking with this? (9)

GELIGNITE

Turn on light and get cracking with this? (9) <=LEG (on (side), in crcket, = leg (side)) + **IGNITE** (light)

Trendy place to feed (5)

INPUT

Trendy place to feed (5) **IN** (trendy) + **PUT **(place)

Forster's End keeping the author away from work? (9)

HOMEWARDS

Forster's End keeping the author away from work? (9) **HOWARDS **(End) (a book by E.M. Forster) "keeping" **ME** (the author)

Soft copper cast (5)

CUSHY

Soft copper cast (5) **Cu **(copper) + **SHY** (cast)

An Alsatian night worker, who's paid after work? (9)

ANNUITANT

An Alsatian night worker, who's paid after work? (9) **AN **+ **NUIT** (Alsatian night) + **ANT **"Nuit" is the French for night, and Alsace is part of France, hence "Alsatian night"

Sanction stops child turning corners (5)

NOOKS

Sanction stops child turning corners (5) **O.K. **(sanction) "stops" <=**SON **(child, "turning")

Business such as typecast actors might create? (7,7)

LIMITED COMPANY

Business such as typecast actors might create? (7,7) Cryptic definition