Clue
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| Answer
stringlengths 3
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| Explanation
stringlengths 5
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|---|---|---|
Spoiled cat: "I loved the good life" (5,4)
|
DOLCE VITA
|
Definition: the good life
(CAT I LOVED)
|
Always in favour of First Lady (Republican) (7)
|
FOREVER
|
Definition: Always
FOR (in favour of) EVE ("first lady") + R
|
Welcome tale from the past (7)
|
HISTORY
|
Definition: the past
HI (welcome!) + STORY
|
Legless man, one goes into pub to participate (4,2)
|
JOIN IN
|
Definition: participate
JO[e] + I in INN
|
Badger picks up virus No 5 within city limits (6)
|
CHIVVY
|
Definition: Badger
HIV (virus) + V (5) in C[it]Y
|
Season and turn Chinese food (6,4)
|
SPRING ROLL
|
Definition: Chinese food
SPRING (season) + ROLL (turn)
|
Clouds rising from Maghrib mines (5)
|
NIMBI
|
Definition: Clouds
Hidden in reverse of maghrIB MINes
|
Film work on a second job (9)
|
MOONLIGHT
|
Definition: Film
Double definition – it's the title of an Oscar-winning film from 2016
|
Allegedly, media mogul's a hood (4)
|
COWL
|
Definition: hood
Homophone of [Simon] Cowell
|
Revised bible held by a theologian's all made up (2-6)
|
AD-LIBBED
|
Definition: all made up
BIBLE* in A DD
|
Armageddon might take a while? (4,4)
|
LAST DAYS
|
Definition: Armageddon
Double definition
|
Prepare clues for Everyman to begin with, Sunday lights up (10)
|
FLUORESCES
|
Definition: lights up
(CLUES FOR)* + E[veryman] + S[unday]
|
Tailor cries over Trump becoming more untidy (9)
|
SCRUFFIER
|
Definition: more untidy
RUFF (to trump, in Bridge etc) in CRIES
|
Remove dish to fridge (3,3,2)
|
GET RID OF
|
Definition: Remove
(TO FRIDGE)
|
Time after time, I shall get the queen in sensational film (8)
|
THRILLER
|
Definition: sensational film
T[ime] + HR (hour, another "time") + I'LL + ER
|
Boxer carries cold, firm cloth (6)
|
CALICO
|
Definition: cloth
C + ALI (boxer) + CO (company, firm)
|
Feeling tired, Mole takes shelter (6)
|
SLEEPY
|
Definition: Feeling tired
LEE (shelter) in SPY (model)
|
Train tickets over 85% off per person (5)
|
TEACH
|
Definition: Train
T[ickets] (six-sevenths is between 85% and 86%) + EACH (per person)
|
Fuel stored in older vehicles (4)
|
DERV
|
Definition: Fuel
Hidden in olDER Vehicles – DERV is an acronym for Diesel-Engined Road Vehicle, and by extension refers to the fuel itself
|
Cover put around album not working? It's beyond remedy (14)
|
INSURMOUNTABLE
|
Definition: beyond remedy
(ALBUM NOT)* in INSURE (to cover)
|
Behind blocking name of offensive broadcast (7)
|
TRUMPET
|
Definition: broadcast
RUMP (behind) in TET (famous offensive of the Vietnam war)
|
Things one has to discuss by phone (7)
|
CHATTEL
|
Definition: Things one has
CHAT + TEL. – shouldn't it be a singular "thing"?
|
Foreign royal smuggled drug repeatedly (5)
|
RANEE
|
Definition: Foreign royal
RAN (smuggled) + E(cstasy) twice
|
Mixture to decant into pan, covering for ravioli (9)
|
POTPOURRI
|
Definition: Mixture
POUR (decant) in POT (pan) + the "covering" of R[aviol]I
|
Notice incompletely attired earl, one getting a talking-to? (9)
|
ADDRESSEE
|
Definition: one getting a talking-to
AD (notive) + DRESSE[D] E[arl]
|
Power of great city is ebbing (5)
|
SINEW
|
Definition: Power
Reverse of WEN IS – from the description of London as the Great Wen
|
Some abstaining, others in bar (5)
|
INGOT
|
Definition: bar
Hidden in abstainING OThers
|
Flee or fly in traveller's seat (9)
|
SKEDADDLE
|
Definition: Flee
KED (fly) in SADDLE
|
Frantically on the go, I see, like the Houses of Parliament (9)
|
NEOGOTHIC
|
Definition: like the Houses of Parliament
(ON THE GO)* + I C
|
Retrograde and the like in religious book group (5)
|
OCTET
|
Definition: group
Reverse of ETC in O[ld] T[estament]
|
What mums do at night, bored by routine (7)
|
LACTATE
|
Definition: What mums do
ACT (routine) in LATE (at night)
|
Time for fooling around carnival city, theoretically (1,6)
|
A PRIORI
|
Definition: theoretically
RIO (famous for its carnival) in APR 1 (April Fool's Day, time for fooling) – I was bit worried about the definition: *a priori* means "from first principles", but I suppose "theoretically" just about covers it
|
Thus drinking in break, one leaves wine cocktail (9,5)
|
SINGAPORE SLING
|
Definition: cocktail
IN GAP in SO (thus) + RIESLING (wine) less the first I
|
Hold reason for beheading number of revolutionaries (14)
|
INTERNATIONALE
|
Definition: number of revolutionaries
INTERN (hold) + [R]ATIONALE – *The Internationale* is an anthem of various left-wing and revolutionary groups
|
Turned down drive with little room to reverse (7)
|
SPURNED
|
Definition: Turned down
SPUR (drive) + reverse of DEN (little room)
|
Transported again after theatre show (9)
|
REPRESENT
|
Definition: show
REP (repertory theatre) + RE-SENT (transported again)
|
Main inhabitant has work after a month (7)
|
OCTOPUS
|
Definition: Main inhabitant
OCT[ober] + OPUS (work)
|
Gent's clothing down, on the game (7)
|
NECKTIE
|
Definition: Gent's clothing
NECK (to drink, down) + TIE (game of football etc, as in "cup tie")
|
Recalling medic for a mission (5)
|
ALAMO
|
Definition: a mission
Recalling or like a medic is A LA M.O.
|
Charged after having departed Roman site (7)
|
LATERAN
|
Definition: Roman site
LATE (dead, departed) + RAN (charged)
|
Knackered wife to relax with swimmer's sport (3-2,9)
|
ALL‑IN WRESTLING
|
Definition: sport
ALL IN (knackered, tired) + W + REST + LING (fish, swimmer)
|
Rocky base affected roads in coastal regions (9)
|
SEABOARDS
|
Definition: coastal regions
BASE* + ROADS
|
Coaching cooking, tossing out a dish (7)
|
GNOCCHI
|
Definition: dish
Anagram of COACHING less A
|
Swimming, Phelps maintains top speed in hard journey (7)
|
SCHLEPP
|
Definition: hard journey
C (speed of light – top speed) in PHELPS*, with the surface referring to swimmer Michael Phelps
|
Put plainly, any number tucking into cake (2,5)
|
EN CLAIR
|
Definition: Put plainly
N (any number) in ÉCLAIR
|
Horseman and I went off to the north (7)
|
DETTORI
|
Definition: Horseman
Reverse of I ROTTED (went off) – for those unfamiliar with the jockey (horseman), see Frankie Dettori
|
Primate called round to begin with (5)
|
ORANG
|
Definition: Primate
O (round) + RANG (called)
|
Ultimately joyless sex in retirement, tender embraces from behind prove unsettling (7)
|
DISTURB
|
Definition: prove unsettling
Reverse of [joyles]S RUT (sex) in reverse of BID (a tender)
|
Country music performer pitiful to hear? (9)
|
SINGAPORE
|
Definition: Country
Homophone of "singer" + "poor" – slightly iffy, at least to me, as I don't sound the G in "singer" but do in "Singapore". Other accents are available, of course
|
Sweet to eat something fragrant (10)
|
AFTERSHAVE
|
Definition: something fragrant
AFTERS (sweet, pudding) + HAVE (to eat)
|
Fringe cut straight, precisely (4)
|
BANG
|
Definition: Fringe cut straight
Not sure about this: I it could be a truncated BANG[S] (a fringe), with two rather similar definitions, the second as in "bang on"; or is it singular BANG as a "fringe cut straight"? Chambers gives "a fringe, hair cut straight across the brow (often in pl[ural])", so I suppose this is more likely
|
Where scarecrows are doing a great job? (11,2,5,5)
|
OUTSTANDING IN THEIR FIELD
|
Definition: doing a great job
Double definition
|
Setter cared to mess around? That's none of your business! (5,6)
|
TRADE SECRET
|
Definition: That's none of your business
(SETTER CARED)
|
Lump in throat, as computer giant in the hands of sinner? (5,5)
|
ADAM’S APPLE
|
Definition: Lump in throat
ADAM is the sinner and APPLE the computer giant
|
Not that great (9,4)
|
SOMETHING ELSE
|
Definition: Not that
Double definition
|
Alluring lure, perfect individual served up (9)
|
HONEYTRAP
|
Definition: Alluring lure
HONE (to perfect) + reverse of PARTY (individual, as in legal documents), though only half the answer is a down, so "served up" is imprecise; a shame, as it's otherwise a nice clue that took me a while to parse
|
There's a point to this medical treatment (7)
|
DECIMAL
|
Definition: There's a point to this
MEDICAL
|
Back to steal a pilotless craft, old thief (7)
|
LADRONE
|
Definition: old thief
[stea]L + A DRONE – ladrone is an old Spanish word for a pirate or robber
|
Skilful wrapping each in foil (6)
|
DEFEAT
|
Definition: foil
EA in DEFT
|
Hot and moist, place cakes wearily at first on base of tray (6)
|
SWEATY
|
Definition: Hot and moist
W[earily] in ("caked by") SEAT (place) + [tra]Y
|
Hidden uranium has affected nerve cord (10)
|
UNDERCOVER
|
Definition: Hidden
U + (NERVE CORD)
|
A hundred bunk beds for artist (5)
|
BOSCH
|
Definition: artist
C (100) in BOSH (rubbish, bunk) – the artist is Hieronymus Bosch
|
Creative thinker in rock star's overcome (9)
|
INNOVATOR
|
Definition: Creative thinker
NOVA (star) in (overcome by) IN TOR
|
Asian in time standing for self-centredness (8)
|
EGOMANIA
|
Definition: self-centredness
OMANI in reverse of AGE
|
Link again on chains even, funny (2-6)
|
RE-ENGAGE
|
Definition: Link again
E'EN GAG (a joke, a funny) in (chained by) RE (on)
|
Novelty act had tune for single (10)
|
UNATTACHED
|
Definition: single
(ACT HAD TUNE)
|
Routine quavering made in warble (9)
|
TREADMILL
|
Definition: Routine
MADE* in TRILL
|
Last of rabbits with hare, say, in a stew (8)
|
STRESSED
|
Definition: in a stew
[rabbit]S + TRESSED (with hair)
|
Wood and silicate not entirely vinegary? (8)
|
BALSAMIC
|
Definition: vinegary
BALSA + MIC[A]
|
Prepared to embrace poet, no alternative (6)
|
OPEN TO
|
Definition: Prepared to embrace
(POET NO)* – an easy clue made hard by the wrong enumeration: (6) instead of (4,2)
|
Key once more accessing sleepy terrace from the basement? (6)
|
RETYPE
|
Definition: Key once more
Hidden in reverse of sleEPY TERrace
|
Big cheese mound (5)
|
MOGUL
|
Definition: Big cheese
Double definition – an important person and a mound of snow, as in mogul skiing
|
Basic unit 1-13 of 26? (4)
|
ATOM
|
Definition: Basic unit
A TO M – items 1 to 13 of the 26 letters of the alphabet
|
It's got to change to accommodate language, primarily (7)
|
GLOTTIS
|
Definition: It's got to change to accommodate language, primarily
L[anguage] in (IT'S GOT)*, &lit, as the glottis is involved in the production of speech
|
The Orient Express carried a lot of engineers (3,4)
|
FAR EAST
|
Definition: The Orient
A + R[oyal] E[ngineers] in FAST (express)
|
Top expert brings in millions (4)
|
ACME
|
Definition: Top
M in ACE (expert)
|
Cook stipulated chestnuts (10)
|
PLATITUDES
|
Definition: chestnuts
STIPULATED
|
They usually enclose 9 estimates (6)
|
QUOTES
|
Definition: They usually enclose
I think this is a triple definition – for the first, quotes = quotation marks enclose what they are quoting
|
Cut short series about to be shown in gallery (8)
|
TRUNCATE
|
Definition: Cut short
RUN (series) + C (circa, about) in TATE
|
House officer working for Mark (9)
|
SEMICOLON
|
Definition: Mark
SEMI (house) + COL[onel] + ON (working)
|
Wander over island, one in NZ (5)
|
MAORI
|
Definition: one in NZ
Reverse of ROAM + I
|
Crack small fruit I pinched (5)
|
SOLVE
|
Definition: Crack
S OLIVE with the I removed or "pinched"
|
Transport people back out of condition (6,3)
|
ESTATE CAR
|
Definition: Transport
STATE (condition) in reverse of RACE (people)
|
Not a good time to limit latest banter (8)
|
BADINAGE
|
Definition: banter
IN (latest, fashionable) in BAD AGE
|
Musical director withdraws case (6)
|
DATIVE
|
Definition: case
Reverse of EVITA + D
|
Pat's blue uniform fitted in previously (5,2,3)
|
RIGHT ON CUE
|
Definition: Pat
RIGHT (blue – colour of the Tory part) + U in ONCE
|
Spanish runner featuring in outside broadcast (4)
|
EBRO
|
Definition: Spanish runner
Hidden in outsidE BROadcast. The Ebro is a river in Spain
|
It soothes anyone at sea rounding Land's End (7)
|
ANODYNE
|
Definition: It soothes
[Lan]D in ANYONE
|
Criticise cast not taking sides, essentially (7)
|
ASPERSE
|
Definition: Criticise
AS (cASt without its "sides") + PER SE (essentially)
|
The priest in Paris saves time for talk (7)
|
LECTURE
|
Definition: talk
T in LE CURÉ
|
Send messages in tiny dry bottles (5)
|
TWEET
|
Definition: Send messages
WEE in (bottled by) TT (teetotal, dry)
|
This writer's former old thick coat (7)
|
IMPASTO
|
Definition: thick coat
I'M (this writer is) + PAST (former) + O
|
Last words of two people hugging one? (6)
|
ADIEUX
|
Definition: Last words
I in A DEUX (of two people)
|
Articulate English sister spies tortoiseshell (9)
|
ENUNCIATE
|
Definition: Articulate
E + NUN + CIA + TE (the "shell" of TortoisE)
|
Support inserted in vessel or loudspeaker (7)
|
STENTOR
|
Definition: loudspeaker
STENT (tube or support inserted into a blood vessel) + OR. Stentor is a loud-voiced character from Greek mythology, source of the adjective "stentorian"
|
Eg articles a perfect shop's displayed (5,2,6)
|
PARTS OF SPEECH
|
Definition: Eg articles
(A PERFECT SHOP'S)
|
Did rail overrun, as some may say? (9)
|
INVEIGHED
|
Definition: Did rail
Homophone of "invade")
|
Bill deserts love for 2 (7)
|
ORATION
|
Definition: 2
ADORATION (love) less AD (bill)
|
He abandons ornamental hat and tackle (7)
|
ADDRESS
|
Definition: tackle
HEADDRESS less HE
|
They qualify subtly and accurately, maybe (7)
|
ADVERBS
|
Definition: They qualify
Adverbs qualify a verb, and "subtly" and "accurately" are examples, so it's kind of a double definition
|
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