Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Ripped into eight or nine pieces (4)
|
TORN
|
Definition: Ripped
Hidden in eighT OR Nine
|
One bringing up children behind the Queen (6)
|
REARER
|
Definition: One bringing up children
REAR (behind, as a noun) + ER
|
Griffin she turned into food (4,6)
|
FISH FINGER
|
Definition: food
(GRIFFIN SHE)
|
Like Jack in The Shining: extremely scary – chop, chop! (6)
|
PSYCHO
|
Definition: Like Jack in The Shining
Anagram – indicated by the second "chop" – of S[car]Y + CHOP. I had some doubt about this parsing, as the CHO at the end is CHOP "chopped", but that doesn't account for the initial P, so I think I'm right. The reference is to the novel and film *The Shining* and the character Jack Torrance – played by Jack Nicholson in the film, handily
|
Fuel container Tom can't use, but ___? (8)
|
JERRYCAN
|
Definition: Fuel container
Tom [cat] can't but JERRY [mouse] CAN
|
Vehicle that carries regular team and another (4)
|
TAXI
|
Definition: Vehicle
Alternate letters of TeAm + XI (eleven – cricket or football team)
|
Spoil bag, so tea's stewed (8)
|
SABOTAGE
|
Definition: Spoil
(BAG SO TEA)
|
Men's back exercise — skipping, say? (4)
|
ROPE
|
Definition: skipping, say
Reverse of OR (Other Ranks, men) + PE (exercise)
|
Maybe I swear to overthrow the French (5)
|
VOWEL
|
Definition: Maybe I
VOW (swear) + reverse of LE. I is an example of a vowel
|
Officials arrest girls misbehaving without latitude (10)
|
REGISTRARS
|
Definition: Officials
(ARREST GIRLS)* less L
|
Bottom of messy drain (5)
|
NADIR
|
Definition: Bottom
DRAIN
|
Take for a ride via trams? (8)
|
OUTSMART
|
Definition: Take for a ride
A "reverse cryptic" – TRAMS is an anagram ("out") of SMART
|
Mmmm … I'm upset by large cats (8)
|
MILLIONS
|
Definition: Mmmm
Reverse of I'M + L LIONS
|
Small European bird spotted in outskirts of Prague (6)
|
PETITE
|
Definition: Small
E TIT in P[ragu]E
|
Dowager welcomes knight's opening (6)
|
WINDOW
|
Definition: opening
N (symbol for knight in chess) in WIDOW
|
Young English 8? (4)
|
CUBE
|
Definition: 8
CUB + E – 8 is the cube of 2
|
Craving for flour — is it regular? (4)
|
LUST
|
Definition: Craving
I think this is supposed to be alternate letters of fLoUr iS iT, but I don't think it quite works because two consecutive letters (r and i) are omitted
|
Direction to the Guardian's street (4)
|
WEST
|
Definition: Direction
WE (The Guardian) + ST
|
Fabric obtained from male sheep (7)
|
BUCKRAM
|
Definition: Fabric
BUCK (male) + RAM (sheep)
|
Mentally unbalanced setter joining most of staff in place to have a drink (7)
|
BIPOLAR
|
Definition: Mentally unbalanced
I (setter) + POL[E] in BAR. I suppose the definition is accurate, but it seems a bit insensitive to me
|
Rush meal by river (4)
|
TEAR
|
Definition: Rush
TEA + R
|
Long to get hold of narrow piece of cloth (9)
|
PINSTRIPE
|
Definition: cloth
STRIP in PINE
|
Hard up family found in vacated squat (5)
|
SKINT
|
Definition: Hard up
KIN in S[qua]T
|
Prepared to look for a partner that's fashionable (2,2,4)
|
UP TO DATE
|
Definition: fashionable
UP (prepared) + TO + DATE (look for a partner)
|
Mine hard substance (4)
|
PITH
|
Definition: substance
PIT + H
|
Be inclined to adopt summer's latest fashion (5)
|
TREND
|
Definition: fashion
[summe]R in TEND
|
Gang found in Cheshire town, reportedly (4)
|
CREW
|
Definition: Gang
Homophone of "Crewe"
|
Ten dimes sent as deposit (8)
|
SEDIMENT
|
Definition: deposit
(TEN DIMES)
|
Black stack of building material (5)
|
BRICK
|
Definition: building material
B + RICK (as in hayrick/haystack)
|
University in conservative soap opera setting (9)
|
CAMBRIDGE
|
Definition: University
C + AMBRIDGE – setting for The Archers
|
Money for parties at hospital (4)
|
DOSH
|
Definition: Money
DOS (plural of DO) + H
|
Bird eating a little green man? (7)
|
MARTIAN
|
Definition: little green man
A in MARTIN
|
Cathy's first to meet girl in charge of Wuthering Heights, say (7)
|
CLASSIC
|
Definition: Wuthering Heights, say
C[athy] + LASS + IC
|
Enormous shade screening top of garden (4)
|
HUGE
|
Definition: Enormous
G[arden] in HUE
|
Brawl as drink stops sergeant major getting his cocktail (8)
|
SKIRMISH
|
Definition: Brawl
KIR| (drink) in SM + HIS
|
Friend held up favourite brown moth (6)
|
LAPPET
|
Definition: brown moth
Reverse of PAL + PET – an unfamiliar word, but very clearly clued
|
One on court in engagement with Djokovic initially is set down (8)
|
DICTATED
|
Definition: set down
I CT in DATE (engagement) + D[jokovic]
|
Rich source of opals found in new mine close to Witwatersrand (6)
|
MONIED
|
Definition: Rich
O[pals] in MINE* + [Witwatersran]D – a variant spelling of "moneyed": cf the similar "monies", which always looks very odd to me
|
Get on all right in audition (4)
|
FARE
|
Definition: Get on
Homophone of "fair" – my last one in, with the dreaded ?A?E pattern
|
Disgusted by new American at university not standing! (9)
|
NAUSEATED
|
Definition: Disgusted
N[ew] A[merican] U[niversity] + SEATED
|
Share of extremely substantial diamonds (5)
|
SLICE
|
Definition: Share
S[ubstantia]L + ICE (criminal slang for diamonds)
|
Time spent making slight modification (5)
|
TWEAK
|
Definition: slight modification
T + WEAK (spent)
|
Couple stop as way to end a game of tennis (8)
|
TIEBREAK
|
Definition: way to end a game of tennis
TIE (to couple) + BREAK (stop). Chambers only gives this as the hyphenated "tie-break"; strangely it then gives "tiebreaker" as unhyphenated
|
Almost cool meal suitable for infants (8)
|
CHILDISH
|
Definition: suitable for infants
CHIL[L] + DISH (meal)
|
Prisoner I meant to rescue (6)
|
INMATE
|
Definition: Prisoner
(I MEANT)
|
German car in which soundly to defeat the French (6)
|
BEETLE
|
Definition: German car
BEET (homophone of "beat") + LE
|
Geological deposit found in Jurassic layer (4)
|
CLAY
|
Definition: Geological deposit
Hidden in jurassiC LAYer
|
Spain overcomes popular revolution (4)
|
SPIN
|
Definition: revolution
SP + IN (popular) – Chambers doesn't give SP as an abbreviation for Spain, but I found some sources online
|
Response to a monarch seizing territory down under (6)
|
ANSWER
|
Definition: Response
N[ew] S[outh] W[ales] in A ER (monarch)
|
Copper to escort dealer (6)
|
PUSHER
|
Definition: dealer
P (penny, copper) + USHER
|
Wife tastes portion of cheese (4)
|
FETA
|
Definition: cheese
Hidden in wiFE TAstes
|
Doctor heating loo? That's divine! (10)
|
THEOLOGIAN
|
Definition: divine
(HEATING LOO)
|
Humour woman or perish (6)
|
WITHER
|
Definition: perish
WIT + HER
|
Set off and had a meal entertaining American (8)
|
LAUNCHED
|
Definition: Set off
A in LUNCHED
|
User could turn out to be naive (9)
|
CREDULOUS
|
Definition: naive
(USER COULD)
|
Gritty French writer … (4)
|
SAND
|
Definition: French writer
Definition + hint, referring to the writer George Sand, the pseudonym of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin (1804-1876). I can't say I've ever read anything by her, but she's well-known to me as Chopin's lover
|
… or German veteran (4)
|
GOLD
|
Definition: or
G + OLD, with a cunningly inconspicuous definition
|
Skinhead left Cliff's vehicle (6,3)
|
SPORTSCAR
|
Definition: vehicle
S[kin] + PORT (left) + SCAR (cliff)
|
Girl sees Changing of the Guard (8)
|
DAUGHTER
|
Definition: Girl
(THE GUARD)
|
Ceases to be interrupted by Romeo's fits of temper (6)
|
STROPS
|
Definition: fits of temper
R in STOPS
|
Drink supplier is more calm when absorbed by housework (10)
|
DISTILLERY
|
Definition: Drink supplier
STILLER in DIY ("housework")
|
Overall to keep one trim (4)
|
NEAT
|
Definition: trim
A (one) in NET (overall)
|
Mounted detective appears in circus (6)
|
RIDING
|
Definition: Mounted
D[etective] I[nspector] in RING (circus)
|
Remove obstruction in river (6)
|
DELETE
|
Definition: Remove
LET (obstruction, as in "let or hindrance") in DEE
|
Had a snack with one reclining in the studio (7)
|
ATELIER
|
Definition: studio
ATE + LIER (one lying or reclining)
|
Second stroke is lower (5)
|
SLASH
|
Second stroke is lower (5)
S + LASH – lower as in to slash/lower prices, for example
|
Hypnotise student after Tehran explosion (7)
|
ENTHRAL
|
Definition: Hypnotise
TEHRAN + L (Learner driver, student)
|
Accent producing mutual confusion (6)
|
UMLAUT
|
Definition: Accent
MUTUAL
|
Superior found drunk with college girl (4-5)
|
HIGH-CLASS
|
Definition: Superior
HIGH (drunk) + C[ollege] + LASS
|
Bring up death in crash (4-3)
|
REAR-END
|
Definition: crash
REAR (bring up) + END (death)
|
Fit to consume wine, Teddy gets lots of encouragement (4-9)
|
WELL‑SUPPORTED
|
Definition: lots of encouragement
WELL (fit) + SUP PORT (consume wine) + ED; the definition seems grammatically inaccurate – adding the "get" doesn't help
|
Luminary in performance is euphoric (9)
|
DELIGHTED
|
Definition: euphoric
LIGHT in DEED
|
Worker is less industrious after final warning (7)
|
GLAZIER
|
Definition: Worker
[warnin]G + LAZIER
|
Stop and see flipping makeover (7)
|
RESTYLE
|
Definition: makeover
REST (stop) + reverse of ELY (diocese, see)
|
Placate primate hoarding vegetables (7)
|
APPEASE
|
Definition: Placate
PEAS in APE (primate)
|
Ill-gotten wrap's new (6)
|
STOLEN
|
Definition: Ill-gotten
STOLE (a wrap) + N
|
Raving about new collection (5)
|
RANGE
|
Definition: collection
N (again!) in RAGE (raving, as a noun)
|
Wore thick pants, something Protestants have (4,5)
|
WORK ETHIC
|
Definition: something Protestants have
(WORE THICK)
|
Do parts of us smell? (5)
|
ODOUR
|
Definition: smell
DO in ("parting") OUR (of us)
|
Prime Suspect's original episode cut short (5)
|
SEVEN
|
Definition: Prime
S[uspect] + EVEN[t] – seven is a prme number
|
Asking RAF technicians about operation (4,5)
|
SKIN GRAFT
|
Definition: operation
Hidden in aSKING RAF Technicians. As often seems to happen to me with hidden clues, this was one of my last ones in
|
According to Spooner, only that man Francis lives here (4,3)
|
HOLY SEE
|
Definition: Francis lives here
Spoonerism of "solely he", and a reference to Pope Francis
|
Well-oiled Indian bowling team (2,5)
|
IN DRINK
|
Definition: Well-oiled
IND. + RINK – Chambers gives "2. A portion of a bowling green… allotted to one set of players; 3 A **division of a side** playing on such a portion", which would make it part of a team rather than a team, but I am no expert
|
Dame Edna's initial career as terrible mother (5)
|
MEDEA
|
Definition: terrible mother
Anagram of DAME + E. In Greek mythology, Medea accidentally killed her children
|
Edges away from very pale woman (3)
|
SHE
|
Definition: woman
[a]SHE[n]
|
Art of jazz trumpeter Armstrong touched us magically at the start (5)
|
TATUM
|
Definition: Art of jazz
First letters of Trumpeter Armstrong Touched Us Magically – "Art of jazz" is the great jazz pianist Art Tatum
|
Prevented from winning, VIP wept (7)
|
NOBBLED
|
Definition: Prevented from winning
NOB (VIP) + BLED (wept)
|
Decent chap keeping member in trousers? (7)
|
GARMENT
|
Definition: trousers?
ARM in GENT
|
Spill the beans and reveal one's unmarried (9)
|
SINGLETON
|
Definition: one's unmarried
SING (to let on, e.g. to confess or inform to the police) + LET ON
|
Spy provides this home phone number (5)
|
INTEL
|
Definition: Spy provides this
IN (home) + TEL (phone number, as shown on letterheads etc)
|
Pickle and cheese sandwiches start to niff (5)
|
BRINE
|
Definition: Pickle
N[iff] in BRIE
|
Gutless Amazon repellently exploit workers — they make you sick (9)
|
NAUSEANTS
|
Definition: they make you sick
Reverse ("repellently") of A[mazo]N + USE ANTS
|
Cow moos, repeatedly expelling gas in Welsh valleys (4)
|
CWMS
|
Definition: Welsh valleys
COW MOOS less every O (oxygen) – I know this word (related to English "coombe") from the 26-letter pangram *Cwm fjord bank glyphs vext quiz
|
Doctor left to collect Arachne's eyewash (6)
|
DRIVEL
|
Definition: eyewash
I'VE (Arachne's) in DR + L
|
Medical labs in Netherlands engaging retired bouncer (6,4)
|
TENNIS BALL
|
Definition: bouncer
Hidden in reverse of medicaL LABS IN NETherlands
|
Virginal Conservative on speed (6)
|
CHASTE
|
Definition: Virginal
C + HASTE
|
One idiot about to go around and disperse depleted uranium, say (8)
|
ACTINIDE
|
Definition: uranium, say
Quite a complex parsing here: reverse ("around") of I NIT (idiot) CA (about) + D[ispers]E. The actinides are a group of elements that includes Uranium
|
Interminable sex act finally taking toll (4)
|
BONG
|
Definition: toll
BON[k] + [takin]G. Bong/toll as in the sound of a bell
|
Fan of Elizabeth Taylor is eccentric (8)
|
ROYALIST
|
Definition: Fan of Elizabeth
(TAYLOR IS)* – Queen Elizabeth II, that is
|
Kid brother cheers up (4)
|
BRAT
|
Definition: Kid
BR + reverse of TA (thanks, cheers)
|
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