Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Running second out of seven runs (9)
|
ENVELOPES
|
Running second out of seven runs (9)
Anagram of SEVEN with the S "run out", + LOPES (runs)
|
Turtle country (7)
|
TERRAIN
|
Turtle country (7)
TERRA[P]IN
|
American wearing new chinos (8)
|
CUSHIONS
|
American wearing new chinos (8)
US in CHINOS* – are any cushions *not* padded?
|
Cans food (6,5)
|
TOILET SEATS
|
Cans food (6,5)
TOILETS (cans) + EATS
|
Chaste organ playing (4,7)
|
COAT HANGERS
|
Chaste organ playing (4,7)
(CHASTE ORGAN)
|
iPad's mobile platform (4)
|
DAIS
|
Definition: platform
Anagram of I[P]ADS
|
Young female given a clue by a place Paul wrote to (7)
|
GALATIA
|
Definition: place Paul wrote to
GAL + A TI[P] + A – as in St Paul's Epistle to the Galatians
|
Drive off after permission to leave fish in the sea (6,3)
|
CONGER EEL
|
Definition: fish in the sea
CONGÉ (permission to leave) + RE[P]EL (to drive off)
|
Very happy journalist, after eating dish (6)
|
ELATED
|
Definition: Very happy
[P]LATE in ED
|
Pirate had not started out wearing a crown (7)
|
TIARAED
|
Definition: wearing a crown
Anagram ("out") of [P]IRATE + [h]AD (not started)
|
Goes across small river (6)
|
SHORTS
|
Goes across small river (6)
R (small river) in SHOTS (attempts, goes)
|
Purge to get rid of father? (6)
|
DESIRE
|
Definition: urge
To get rid of a father might be to DE-SIRE
|
Give permission, please (3)
|
LET
|
Definition: Give permission
Double definition ([P]LEASE being the second)
|
Back pass? (5)
|
STERN
|
Definition: Back
Double definition (just about)
|
Turpin's 11 when young? Not half! (4)
|
JUVE
|
Definition: Tur
JUVE[nile]. Juve is slang for the football team Juventus, based in Turin. The "11″ refers to the size of the team and is not a cross-reference to "terrain"
|
Instrument not originally orchestral (4)
|
CELL
|
Instrument not originally orchestral (4)
CELLO less O[rchestral]
|
Championing of stewed apples, when touring round America (8)
|
ESPOUSAL
|
Definition: Championing
O (round) US in anagram of APPLES less one of its Ps
|
Split from carpenter into sadomasochism (6)
|
SCHISM
|
Definition: Split
CHI[P]S (slang for a carpenter) in SM
|
Headingley, primarily a place for playing cricket (5)
|
AITCH
|
Definition: Headingley, primarily
A [P]ITCH
|
Discussed plot for outdoor event (4)
|
FETE
|
Definition: outdoor event
Homophone of "fate" = [p]lot
|
Regularly swims with friend, a Mexican rope-maker (5)
|
SISAL
|
Definition: a Mexican rope-maker
Alternate letters of SwImS + [P]AL
|
Tart in a photo, arrested by policemen? On the contrary (6)
|
ACIDIC
|
Definition: Tart
CID in A [P]IC
|
President of a country? (8)
|
NATIONAL
|
Definition: resident
A double definition (resident/of a country), though again the two definitions are almost the same
|
Players plan to lose a stone (6)
|
STRATA
|
Definition: layers
STRATAGEM less GEM
|
Farmer with time for a little sex (5)
|
GILET
|
Farmer with time for a little sex (5)
GILES (stereotypical farmer) with S[ex] changed to T
|
Somewhat flat 7up (4)
|
VEST
|
Somewhat flat 7up (4)
Hidden in reverse of flaT SEVen
|
Chair a committee (9)
|
HEADBOARD
|
Chair a committee (9)
HEAD (to chair) + BOARD (committee)
|
Artist turned up in saloon? (3)
|
BRA
|
Artist turned up in saloon? (3)
BAR (saloon) with the RA reversed
|
The French story about working much less (3,5)
|
LET ALONE
|
Definition: much less
LE + ON (working) in TALE
|
2 great in coat, did you say? (6)
|
PARKER
|
Definition: 2 great
A homophone of "parka" for the first of the JAZZ greats, the saxophonist Charlie Parker
|
2 great understands sounds (4)
|
GETZ
|
Definition: 2 great
Another homophone, of "gets" (understands), for Stan Getz, another saxophonist
|
2 great calls bird for Spooner? (5,5)
|
MILES DAVIS
|
Definition: 2 great
Spoonerism of "dials mavis", mavis being another name for the song thrush
|
Fuse blown at centre of bulb — that's handy (6)
|
USEFUL
|
Definition: handy
FUSE* in [b]UL[b]
|
No stomach for chase, vegans sabotaged hunt (8)
|
SCAVENGE
|
Definition: hunt
Anagram of C[has]E + VEGANS
|
Spot something warmer then? (6)
|
NOTICE
|
Definition: Spot
Something warmer could be NOT ICE
|
Labour leader wearing retro styles rarely (6)
|
SELDOM
|
Definition: rarely
L[abour] in reverse of MODES
|
2 great, tall climbing plant for Spooner? (5,3)
|
PEGGY LEE
|
Definition: 2 great
We don't often see two spoonerisms in a puzzle: this one is of "leggy pea", Peggy Lee's real name was Norma Deloris Egstrom
|
2 great into jamming, usually (6)
|
MINGUS
|
Definition: 2 great
Hidden in jamMING Usually – Charlie Mingus, bassist and pianist
|
Those blowing hot and cold in Scottish town right to invade Outer Hebrides (10)
|
HAIRDRIERS
|
Definition: Those blowing hot and cold
AIRDRIE + R in the outer letters of HebrideS
|
Submissive man evidently embarrassing kids, initially (4)
|
MEEK
|
Definition: Submissive
Initial letters of Man Evidently Embarrassing Kids
|
Sheep almost swallowing large falcon (6)
|
MERLIN
|
Definition: falcon
L in MERIN[o]
|
Mug with method, his work instrumental? (8)
|
STEINWAY
|
Definition: his work instrumental
STEIN (beer mug) + WAY for the famous manufacturer of pianos – as played by some of the "2 greats"
|
2 great continues to fade? (8)
|
PETERSON
|
Definition: 2 great
PETERS ON – Oscar Peterson, Canadian pianist
|
Stuff and nonsense noted? (4)
|
JAZZ
|
Definition: Stuff
Two non-musical definitions of jazz from Chambers: "to have sexual intercourse (with)", which is also a slang meaning of "stuff"; and "insincere or lying talk, nonsense (slang, esp. US)", with "noted" to hint at the musical meaning. *Or maybe the "stuff" is, more innocently, as in "all that jazz".
|
Stiff examination encapsulating misery primarily, fellow gets over it (6)
|
FORMAL
|
Definition: Stiff
F + M[isery] in ORAL. This reminds me of the famous cryptic definition "A stiff examination" for POST MORTEM
|
Deserter, say, beneath a river (8)
|
APOSTATE
|
Definition: Deserter
A PO (river) STATE (say)
|
A dictator finally gone mad, end of world catastrophically? (10)
|
ARMAGEDDON
|
Definition: end of world catastrophically
A + [dictato]R + anagram of (GONE MAD [worl]D), with some overlap of wordplay and definition (or maybe an &lit, though I don't think it really works as one)
|
Inject 2 with energy using a needle (6)
|
SEWING
|
Definition: using a needle
E in SWING (jazz, perhaps a little loosely)
|
Over the way, priest welcoming new recruit (6)
|
ENLIST
|
Definition: recruit
N in ELI (priest in the book of Samuel) + ST
|
Character last seen breaking into improvisation of rag, lifted 2 great (10)
|
FITZGERALD
|
Definition: 2 great
Z ("character last") in (RAG LIFTED)* – singer Ella Fitzgerald
|
Horse galloped over line finally, to see 2 great (8)
|
COLTRANE
|
Definition: 2 great
COLT + RAN + [lin]E. John Coltrane, another sax man
|
Flower given to head of promotions in Barking, IT director onto it? (5,3)
|
MOUSE PAD
|
Definition: IT director onto it
OUSE (river, "flower") + P in MAD (barking). A computer mouse might be described as an "IT director"
|
Holiday bay (6)
|
RECESS
|
Definition: Holiday
Double definition
|
European title ending for rival, tough finish! (6)
|
ENAMEL
|
Definition: tough finish
E + NAME + [riva]L
|
Taken in the wrong direction, one sliding down the motorway? (6)
|
MISLED
|
Definition: Taken in the wrong direction
M1 SLED
|
2 great in prayer (4)
|
MONK
|
Definition: 2 great
Double definition, the second to be read as pray-er, and we end the jazz greats with Thelonious Monk
|
Get ready, while attracting lots of viewers (5,4)
|
PRIME TIME
|
Definition: attracting lots of viewers
PRIME (get [something] ready) + TIME (while)
|
Pilgrimage of posh bloke ends in Andhra Pradesh (5)
|
UMRAH
|
Definition: Pilgrimage
U + MR + last letters of andhrA pradesH – a Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
|
Pretend one's cool, entering declining years (7)
|
IMAGINE
|
Definition: Pretend
I'M (one's) + IN (cool, fashionable) in AGE
|
Helping discontented barista around coffee counter (7)
|
ABETTAL
|
Definition: Helping
B[arist]A reversed (around) + :LATTE reversed (counter)
|
Time to abandon cabs for Central line (4)
|
AXIS
|
Definition: Central line
[T]AXIS
|
Quite attractive guards finally stop all disruptive conduct (10)
|
COMPLETELY
|
Definition: Quite
Last letters of stoP alL disruptivE conducT in COMELY
|
Short, slight Arab surrounded by water (7)
|
INSULAR
|
Definition: surrounded by water
Shortened INSUL[T] + AR[ab]
|
Put up with some alterations to machines (7)
|
STOMACH
|
Definition: Put up with
Hidden in alterationS TO MACHines
|
Raving angrily? It's cause of hoarseness (10)
|
LARYNGITIS
|
Definition: cause of hoarseness
(ANGRILY IT'S)
|
Women going into loft backwards to make deliveries (4)
|
BOWL
|
Definition: to make deliveries
W in reverse of LOB
|
Airily attacked Trump's revolutionary deeds on regular basis (7)
|
STRAFED
|
Definition: Airily attacked
Reverse of FART'S (trump's) + alternate letters of dEeDs
|
Communist cobblers in extremely tremulous state (7)
|
TROTSKY
|
Definition: Communist
ROT (nonsense, cobblers) in T[remulou]S + KY (Kentucky)
|
Old fellows always lacking manners? Rubbish! (5)
|
OFFAL
|
Definition: Rubbish
O FF + ALWAYS less WAYS (manners)
|
Development of gallstone gutted Victoria, for one (9)
|
GESTATION
|
Definition: Development
G[allston]E + STATION (of which Victoria is an example)
|
Over 100 Lilliputians sadly accepting love is mirage? (7,8)
|
OPTICAL ILLUSION
|
Definition: mirage
O (Over) + O (~~over~~love) in anagram of C (100) LILLIPUTIANS
|
Stellar couples sign book in advance (8)
|
BINARIES
|
Definition: Stellar couples
B IN ARIES – the definition is of binary stars
|
Hairy humanoid oddly ignoring my meat pie (4)
|
YETI
|
Definition: Hairy humanoid
Alternate letters of mY mEaT pIe
|
Exit half-cut Finn with scarlet jumper upside down (4,4)
|
FIRE DOOR
|
Definition: Exit
FI[nn] + RED + reverse of ROO
|
Mum returns quietly after month in Split (6)
|
DECAMP
|
Definition: Split
DEC[ember) + reverse of MA + P (quietly)
|
Leader of Greece pricking Europe's uneasy conscience (8)
|
SUPEREGO
|
Definition: conscience
G[reece] in EUROPES
|
Summons male to move sinuously (6)
|
WRITHE
|
Definition: to move sinuously
WRIT (summons) + HE
|
Awfully shy friend stopping Bob vacillating (6-9)
|
SHILLY-SHALLYING
|
Definition: vacillating
SHY* ALLY in SHILLING (bob)
|
Refuse to be buried (8)
|
LANDFILL
|
Definition: Refuse to be buried
Cryptic definition
|
Nervous sibling consumes pot, mostly, and heroin (8)
|
SKITTISH
|
Definition: Nervous
KITT[y] (pot, as in a collection of money) in SIS, + H
|
A magistrate disrobed after firstly cursing, out of hearing (8)
|
ACOUSTIC
|
Definition: of hearing
First letters of Cursing OUT in A [j]USTIC[e] (Justice of the Peace = magistrate)
|
Thin umpire in bit of sunshine (6)
|
RAREFY
|
Definition: Thin
REF in RAY
|
Violet's neighbour doing somersaults round island (6)
|
INDIGO
|
Definition: Violet's neighbour
I in DOING* – indigo is next to violet in the traditional list of colours of the rainbow
|
Using speech of Sadiq Khan, say, to oust PM (4)
|
ORAL
|
Definition: Using speech
MAYORAL (Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London) less [Theresa] MAY
|
Signal for lager — the cocktail requires a drop of Pilsner (9)
|
TELEGRAPH
|
Definition: Signal
P[ilsner] in (LAGER THE)
|
A pretty sharp accent (5)
|
ACUTE
|
Definition: sharp
A + CUTE (pretty), with two definitions
|
Respond to criminal racket, deporting 1,000 (5)
|
REACT
|
Definition: Respond
RACKET* less K (1000)
|
Lara Croft initially backflips with weapons and sirens (3,6)
|
CAR ALARMS
|
Definition: sirens
Reverse of LARA C[roft] + ARMS
|
Note: new heart put in here (7)
|
THEATRE
|
Definition: here
HEART* in TE; a heart transplant would be done in an operating theatre
|
5 over 9 in, say, after 8? (7)
|
EVENING
|
Definition: after 8
V + reverse ("over") of NINE in E.G. (say)
|
To surrender beat, The Jam finally retire underground (5)
|
METRO
|
Definition: underground
Last letters of tO surrendeR beaT thE jaM, reversed
|
Nice 1 follows Special 1 (3)
|
SUN
|
Definition: 1
S[pecial] + UN ("one" in French, e.g. in Nice). The second "1" links to STAR to give the definition
|
Puzzling out some jargon (5)
|
LINGO
|
Definition: jargon
Hidden in puzzLING Out
|
Bird's main city (7)
|
SWANSEA
|
Definition: city
SWAN'S + SEA
|
Talk fast (7)
|
EXPRESS
|
Definition: Talk
Double definition
|
Old Norse style originally discovered between 1100 and 1100 (9)
|
ICELANDIC
|
Definition: Old Norse
ELAN (style) + D[iscovered] between two instances on IC, i.e. 1 and 100 joined together
|
One studies figures (5)
|
ICONS
|
Definition: figures
I CONS
|
Greek work rejects independent, backing unknown cleaner (5)
|
DAILY
|
Definition: cleaner
Reverse of [I]LIAD (Greek work) + Y (unknown)
|
Celebrity ignores upper class creep (9)
|
REPTATION
|
Definition: creep
REPUTATION less U – a new word for me, derived from "reptile", referring to the snake-like movement, or "creep", of some molecules. Read all about it
|
Leading lady first to depart flight (4)
|
STAR
|
Definition: Leading lady
STAIR (a rather old-fashioned way of referring to a flight of stairs) less I (first)
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.