Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
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|---|---|---|
Mixing short Cash record — round record? (9)
|
SCORECARD
|
Definition: round record
Anagram of CAS[h] RECORD. A scorecard may be the record of a round of golf
|
Sod all CDs interlaced with American and English covers (7)
|
FACADES
|
Definition: covers
FA ([Sweet] Fanny Adams = nothing = sod all) + CDS alternating with A and E
|
Instrument from a record hidden at either end? (7)
|
ALPHORN
|
Definition: Instrument
A LP + H OR N (either end of HiddeN)
|
Hire cycles and frame (5)
|
EASEL
|
Definition: frame
LEASE with the letters "cycling" around by one place
|
Tours' way? Currency brought back (3)
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RUE
|
Definition: Tours' way
Reverse of EUR (standard abbreviation of Euro) – a street in the French city of Tours for example
|
Start playing songs for concert (5)
|
ONSET
|
Definition: Start
ON (playing) + SET (list of songs or pieces performed at a concert or other event)
|
Popeye's tip: his can supply contains it? (7)
|
SPINACH
|
Definition: Popeye's tip: his can supply contains it
P[opeye] in (HIS CAN)* &lit, where "supply" = "in a supple way"
|
Big name taking British pop group right to US music producer (9)
|
VIBRAHARP
|
Definition: US music producer
BR+ A-HA (Norwegian pop group) + R in VIP. Vibraharp is another (american) name for the vibraphone. I wanted this to be Vibraslap but of course couldn't make it wirk
|
Took paper again, turning over to reveal a shocker (5)
|
TASER
|
Definition: shocker
Reverse of RE-SAT
|
Provided a hit TV drama — one like this? (4,5)
|
SOAP OPERA
|
Definition: this
SO (provided) + A + POP (to hit) + E.R. (US TV series) + A
|
Go up, ignoring first branch (4)
|
LIMB
|
Definition: branch
[C]LIMB
|
Work in pieces — big one breaking microphone (6)
|
MOSAIC
|
Definition: Work in pieces
OS (outsize) A in MIC
|
Amazing Aldi's equal for food (10)
|
QUESADILLA
|
Definition: food
(ALDI'S EQUAL)
|
Girls with large bums in America (6)
|
LASSES
|
Definition: Girls
L[arge] + ASSES (American for bottoms)
|
Ring of Fire's on a television (8)
|
RESONATE
|
Definition: Ring
Hidden in fiRE'S ON A TElevision
|
Key passage on the radio (4)
|
ISLE
|
Definition: Key
Homphone of "aisle"
|
Avoids working with society rejects (8)
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DISAVOWS
|
Definition: rejects
AVOIDS* + W[ith] S[ociety]
|
Old artist mostly upset (4)
|
AGED
|
Definition: Old
Reverse of DEGA[S]
|
Releases Father and Son around Spain twice (5)
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FREES
|
Definition: Releases
E twice in FR S
|
Bribe Johnny Cash (10,5)
|
PROTECTION MONEY
|
Definition: Bribe
PROTECTION (Johnny – slang for a condom) + MONEY (cash)
|
Recorded piece of music has depth (5)
|
NOTED
|
Definition: Recorded
NOTE (piece of music) + D
|
Part of Man in Black stood out, as a collector (8)
|
SHINBONE
|
Definition: Part of Man
IN B "collected by" SHONE (stood out)
|
Note: one takes the late train (8)
|
REHEARSE
|
Definition: train
RE (note, as in do-re-mi) + HEARSE (which "takes the late")
|
Work in which musical? (3,3)
|
TOP HAT
|
Definition: musical
OP in THAT (which)
|
Turned out European heartlessly named girl inside (6)
|
ENSUED
|
Definition: Turned out
SUE in E[uropean] + N[ame]D, with a nod to the song *A Boy Named Sue*, made famous by Johnny Cash
|
Volume on speaker for siren (4)
|
VAMP
|
Definition: siren
V + AMP, though amplifier=speaker is a bit loose
|
Radical Winehouse left (4)
|
AMYL
|
Definition: Radical
AMY [Winehouse, singer) + L
|
Playing seconds from Johnny Cash: Cry! Cry! Cry! (4)
|
ROAR
|
Definition: Cry
Anagram of the second letters of jOhnny cAsh cRy cRy, with the third "Cry!" acting as the definition
|
S ign of cold weather, not special, teeth only ultimately chatter (5)
|
FROTH
|
Definition: chatter
FROST less S + [teet]H. The clue (at least in the PDF version) incorrectly has a space between the S and I of "Sign"
|
Very complicated recipes (7)
|
PRECISE
|
Definition: Very
RECIPES. Chambers gives "very, identical" as one definition of precise; as in phrases such as "the very/precise thing"
|
All upset about tragic playing, requiring tranquillizer (9)
|
LARGACTIL
|
Definition: tranquillizer
TRAGIC* in ALL
|
I am in favour of verse that's ad-lib (6)
|
IMPROV
|
Definition: ad-lib
I'M PRO V[erse]
|
Gooey stuff, not fat, on rear of univalve (5)
|
SLIME
|
Definition: Gooey stuff
SLIM (not fat) + [univalv]E
|
Asian language, no good in north Welsh town (6)
|
BANGLA
|
Definition: Asian language
NG in BALA (town in Snowdonia) – an alternative for the Bengali language
|
Introductory musical section, one in a round (5)
|
ALAAP
|
Definition: Introductory musical section
A in A LAP – an introductory section to an Indian raga
|
Part of flower Her Madge stuck in bent hatpin (8)
|
PERIANTH
|
Definition: Part of flower
ER (the Queen, informally "Her Madge") in HATPIN
|
Mayflies etc a rheometer revived with pep! (13)
|
EPHEMEROPTERA
|
Definition: Mayflies etc
(ETC A RHEOMETER PEP)
|
The Lord's concerned with court examination (8)
|
RECTORAL
|
Definition: The Lord's
RE + CT + ORAL – referring to the definition "of God as a ruler"
|
Nothing in excess? Sulk as before (5)
|
GLOUT
|
Definition: Sulk as before
O in GLUT
|
Sweet turns allowed for a pair of sixes maybe (6)
|
DUPLET
|
Definition: a pair of sixes maybe
Reverse of PUD (pudding, sweet) + LET – a duplet is "a like throw of two dice", e.g. a double six; I think the surface is suggesting scores in figure skating, etc, though I see that the system in which 6 was the maximum score in such events was superseded in 2005
|
Busy getting lance's head in, as in a joust? (5)
|
ATILT
|
Definition: as in a joust
L[ance] in AT IT (busy)
|
'Puckered' fabric? Piles machined round front of shirts (6)
|
PLISSÉ
|
Definition: 'Puckered' fabric
S[hirts] in PILES
|
Version of memoirs penned by posh name initially? It's plummy (9)
|
PERSIMMON
|
Definition: It's plummy
MEMOIRS* in P[osh] N[ame]. The persimmon has (or is) a plum-like fruit
|
One who's agreed to meet in Coventry's terminus (7)
|
TRYSTER
|
Definition: One who's agreed to meet
Hidden in CovenTRY'S TERminus
|
I'll draw off liquor, a dash of rum – stick around (5)
|
CRANE
|
Definition: I'll draw off liquor
R[um] in CANE – "a bent pipe for drawing liquor out of a cask", taking its name from the long-necked bird, I would presume
|
Workshop with British work unit occupying fixed floor (11)
|
FLABBERGAST
|
Definition: floor
LAB (workshop) + B + ERG (unit of work in the CGS system) in FAST (fixed)
|
Carmen, amateur, useless (4)
|
RACA
|
Definition: useless
RAC (Royal Automobile Club, so "car men") + A. This word (meaning "worthless", from Chaldean) appears once in the bible, in Matthew 5:22: "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." So, mind what you say to your brother…
|
Barrel lost dry seal (5)
|
O-RING
|
Definition: seal
BORING (dry) less B[arrel]. A failed O-ring seal was the cause of the *Challenger* Space Shuttle disaster in 1986
|
One in hospital set perchance (5)
|
HAPLY
|
Definition: perchance
A in H PLY
|
Tricky spot right inside shaft (6)
|
SCRAPE
|
Definition: Tricky spot
R in SCAPE
|
Plate e.g. duke nicked from club (5)
|
RIVER
|
Definition: Plate e.g.
DRIVER (golf club) less D
|
Merge short section of text that's overrunning? (7)
|
COLLATE
|
Definition: Merge
COL[umn] + LATE
|
Outstanding capital features in Bernini aquatints (4)
|
INIA
|
Definition: Outstanding capital features
Hidden in bernINI Aquatints – plural of "inion", "the external occiptal protuberance", i.e. the slight bulge you can feel half way down the back of your skull, so "capital" here means "of the head"
|
What may cause traumas at sea? (7)
|
SUMATRA
|
Definition: What may cause traumas at sea
TRAUMAS* &lit – sumatra is a "short violent squall", named after the island
|
Cumbersome peahen trips catching end of bill on spike (11)
|
ELEPHANTINE
|
Definition: Cumbersome
[bil]L in PEAHEN* + TINE
|
Protective garb, taking everything into account (7)
|
OVERALL
|
Definition: Protective garb
Double definition
|
Impure metal forming second shower of missiles (7)
|
SPELTER
|
Definition: Impure metal
S + PELTER
|
Bristles? Use half of them wrongly (7)
|
SETULES
|
Definition: Bristles
Anagram of USE + [bris]TLES
|
Over 50, belle getting on a bit (6)
|
OLDISH
|
Definition: getting on a bit
O[ver] L (50) + DISH (atttactive woman)
|
Currency unit, note about to increase over euro (5)
|
RUPEE
|
Definition: Currency unit
UP (to increase) in RE (note, as in do-re-mi) + E
|
Is in with climbing band of yesteryear (5)
|
MUSIC
|
Definition: band of yesteryear
Reverse of IS in CUM (with): archaically used to refer to a band of musicians. This is the sense used in the title "Master of the Queen's Music"
|
Professional theologian providing some useful emails (5)
|
ULEMA
|
Definition: Professional theologian
Hidden in usefUL EMAils
|
Like lardy-cake, or what it's served on, without topping? (4)
|
OILY
|
Definition: Like lardy-cake
DOILY less its "topping"
|
Former mate subject to senior officer in the Guards (4)
|
EXON
|
Definition: senior officer in the Guards
EX (former mate) + ON (subject to) – it's "one of the four commanding officers of the Yeomen of the Guard"
|
Drivers get through distance that's unnatural (7)
|
MIRACLE
|
Definition: that's unnatural
RAC (Royal Automobile Club) in MILE
|
No peace till one's buried (7)
|
HATCHET
|
Definition: No peace till one's buried
Cryptic definition, referring to the phrase "burying the hatchet", meaning making peace
|
Melon, rotten fruit (5)
|
LEMON
|
Definition: fruit
MELON
|
Board wanted to get you on board (9)
|
GANGPLANK
|
Definition: Board wanted to get you on board
Cryptic definition
|
Her husband-to-be was a slippery customer (10)
|
CINDERELLA
|
Definition: Her husband-to-be was a slippery customer
Cryptic definition, referring (rather vaguely) to Cinderella's glass slipper, which the Prince used to find her
|
Trunk not to be opened roughly (2,2)
|
OR SO
|
Definition: roughly
[T]ORSO
|
Resolute mob rioting is vexatious (11)
|
TROUBLESOME
|
Definition: vexatious
(RESOLUTE MOB)
|
Seeking computer technology is inviting trouble (6,3,2)
|
ASKING FOR IT
|
Definition: inviting trouble
ASKING FOR (seeking) I[nformation] T[echnology]
|
Precious way to start a letter (4)
|
DEAR
|
Definition: Precious
Double definition
|
Housecoat a stone's throw away? (10)
|
PEBBLEDASH
|
Definition: Housecoat a stone's throw away
Cryptic definition
|
Weed, crushed, smells oddly (9)
|
GROUNDSEL
|
Definition: Weed
GROUND (crushed) + odd letters of SmElLs
|
Schoolteacher's random call? (5)
|
HEADS
|
Definition: Schoolteacher
Double definition – headmaster/mistress and "heads or tails"
|
Showing no emotion over divine corpse (7)
|
DEADPAN
|
Definition: Showing no emotion
The divine corpse might be DEAD PAN
|
Commend phone function to roam (7)
|
APPROVE
|
Definition: Commend
APP + ROVE
|
Out of spite, start to malign girl (6)
|
MALICE
|
Definition: spite
M[align] + ALICE
|
Make one think again (6)
|
REMIND
|
Definition: Make one think again
Cryptic definition
|
Competitor cannot broadcast about match (10)
|
CONTESTANT
|
Definition: Competitor
TEST (match) in CANNOT
|
Excellent performance on course for high-flyer (5)
|
EAGLE
|
Definition: Excellent performance on course
Double definition – an eagle is a score of two under par in golf
|
Fragment of Messiah heard, part of a cycle (9)
|
HANDLEBAR
|
Definition: part of a cycle
Homophone of "Handel bar", which might be a fragment of his *Messiah
|
Get a peep inside binder (4)
|
TAPE
|
Definition: binder
Hidden in geT A PEep
|
Top-level clearance (8)
|
HEADROOM
|
Definition: Top-level clearance
Cryptic definition
|
Assume control of Special K and overeat (4,4)
|
TAKE OVER
|
Definition: Assume control of
Anagram of K + OVEREAT
|
Be sacked — and guillotined? (3,3,4)
|
GET THE CHOP
|
Definition: Be sacked
Double definition
|
Less popular time to be on shore, presumably, with boy (3,6)
|
OFF SEASON
|
Definition: Less popular time
OFF SEA ("on shore") + SON
|
Players got on, plastered (8)
|
BANDAGED
|
Definition: plastered
BAND AGED
|
Musical would be fine, if shortened (8)
|
OKLAHOMA
|
Definition: Musical
The official abbreviation for the state is OK = fine. Strictly speaking the title of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical has an exclamation mark
|
Tries hard with a cereal (3,1,2)
|
HAS A GO
|
Definition: Tries
H + A SAGO
|
Restrained? Cheats appallingly (6)
|
CHASTE
|
Definition: Restrained
CHEATS
|
A block picked up is wood (5)
|
BALSA
|
Definition: wood
Reverse of A SLAB
|
Very light haircut a bargain? (4)
|
SNIP
|
Definition: Very light haircut
Double definition
|
Fresh white loaf fed the start of bread production (5,2,5)
|
FIELD OF WHEAT
|
Definition: the start of bread production
(WHITE LOAF FED)
|
Brown bread for the Queen? (5)
|
TOAST
|
Definition: Brown bread
Double definition – toast is literally "brown bread" , but it can also slangily mean dead ("he is toast") = brown bread (rhyming slang); and "The Queen" is a toast at a formal dinner
|
Milled grain for a bloomer, say (9)
|
CORNFLOUR
|
Definition: Milled grain for a bloomer
CORN (milled grain) + homophone of "flower", &lit
|
Round loaf with wild hazels (7)
|
COBNUTS
|
Definition: hazels
COB (round loaf) + NUTS (crazy, wild)
|
Boatman's back with a change of heading — the French in retreat, unchanging (7)
|
ETERNAL
|
Definition: unchanging
STERN ("boatman's back") with the first letter changed to the (unspecified) E, + reverse of LA (French feminine "the")
|
Herb we eat with bliss, when cooked (5,5)
|
SWEET BASIL
|
Definition: Herb
(WE EAT BLISS)
|
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