Clue
stringlengths
6
133
Answer
stringlengths
3
46
Explanation
stringlengths
5
888
Salmonella primarily around raw chicken (6)
SCARED
Definition: chicken S[almonella] + CA (circa, around) + RED (raw)
He tells cricketer to get runs (6)
WARNER
Definition: He tells [Shane] WARNE + R
Friends say Tom indicates you must go out (9,6)
SITUATION COMEDY
Definition: Friends say (TOM INDICATES YOU)* – with the immensely successful *Friends* being an example of a sitcom
Tall actor removing line for hotel food (6)
CHEESE
Definition: food [John] CLEESE (tall actor) with L[ine] replaced by H[otel] (In fact the family name was originally Cheese, but John C's father changed it to Cleese)
Stop with this playboy in bachelor flat? (5,3)
BRAKE PAD
Definition: Stop with this RAKE in B PAD
Tabloid workers filling in newspaper piece (8)
FRAGMENT
Definition: piece RAG (tabloid newspaper) MEN (workers) in FT (Financial Times)
Pieces of music from guys on the radio (6)
CHORDS
Definition: Pieces of music Homophone of "cords" (guys, as in guy ropes)
Caught a breath, lying back for rest (6)
CATNAP
Definition: rest C A + reverse of PANT
Mix fuel source that's key to get energy (8)
COALESCE
Definition: Mix COAL + ESC (as found on a keyboard) + E[nergy]
Serious? You for French after German, religious studies and English (8)
GRIEVOUS
Definition: Serious G + RI (Religious Instruction) + E[nglish] + VOUS (French "you")
Child that's left hospital: men criticise nurses (6)
ORPHAN
Definition: Child that's left H in (nursed by) OR (Other Ranks = men) + PAN (criticise)
One blows things up in film, saying gang's sorry (10,5)
MAGNIFYING GLASS
Definition: One blows things up (FILM SAYING GANG'S)
Comes in and puts on record (6)
ENTERS
Definition: Comes in Double definition
Trouble as married one dropped off lover (6)
STRESS
Definition: Trouble MISTRESS (lover) less M I
Snake in hole there has shed its skin (7)
SLITHER
Definition: Snake SLIT (hole) + [t]HER[e]
Serious wound for joiner in hospital department? (5)
ACUTE
Definition: Serious CUT (wound) replacing & in A&E (hospital dept)
Last old male seduced by Olive? (7)
EXTREME
Definition: Last EX (old) + M in TREE (e.g. olive)
Antique piece of furniture without Mr Chippendale's initial (7)
ARCHAIC
Definition: Antique ARMCHAIR less (separately) M and R, + C[hippendale]
Best single by group? (6,3)
NUMBER ONE
Definition: Best I'm not sure about this: all I can come up with is NUMBER = group (as in a number/group of people) + ONE = single, with "best" as the definition
Dismissal of place for meetings with daughter (3,4)
RED CARD
Definition: Dismissal REDCAR (site of race meetings) + D – dismissal as in football
Happen to order sandwiches and sweet (6)
SORBET
Definition: sweet BE (happen) "sandwiched by") SORT (to [put in] order)
Mix egg in; turn to make biscuit (6,3)
GINGER NUT
Definition: biscuit (EGG IN TURN)
Military land here in area Serbia lost (3,4)
AIR BASE
Definition: Military land here A + SERBIA
Prince with sick queen to hold out (7)
PROFFER
Definition: to hold out PR + OFF (sick) + ER
Profit from account, having turnover go up (4,2)
CASH IN
Definition: Profit CA (AC=account "turned over") + SHIN (to climb or go up, as in "shin up a pole")
Out of money — working in topless magazines with model (7)
AMONGST
Definition: Out of M[oney] + ON (working) in [m]AGS + T (model, as in the early Ford car)
Body keeps appearing in crime drama on Sunday (7)
CHASSIS
Definition: Body HAS (keeps) in CSI (TV crime drama) + S[unday
Beat United and regularly lose in games (5)
PULSE
Definition: Beat U + L[o]S[e] in PE (Physical Education, games)
Withdraw from competition, having a slight injury (7)
SCRATCH
Definition: Withdraw from competition Double definition
Sheltered area where diesel is spilt at end of lane (3,4)
LEE SIDE
Definition: Sheltered area DIESEL* + [LAN]E
Could be rasher returning no cab, it seems (4,5)
BACK BACON
Definition: Could be rasher NO CAB is reversed or BACK BACON
Former church leader's beginning to be superior (5)
EXCEL
Definition: to be superior EX + CE + L[eader]
Clumsy American baulks at first jump (4)
LUTZ
Definition: jump KLUTZ (American slang for a clumsy person) less its first letter. The Lutz is a type of jump in figure-skating
Rambling around Corinth, seen topless (10)
INCOHERENT
Definition: Rambling Anagram of CORINTH + [S]EEN
Mariner finally leaves golf spectators' boat (6)
GALLEY
Definition: boat GALLERY (spectators at a game of golf) less [marine]R
Medical officer bags Aussie owls (7)
MOPOKES
Definition: Aussie owls MO + POKES (bags, as in "a pig n a poke"). The Mopoke has a number of onomatopoeic names, representing its cuckoo-like call
Egyptian city's stone home in highway that's not deserted (7)
ROSETTA
Definition: Egyptian city's stone SETT (badger's home) in ROAD less D – reference to the Rosetta Stone, whose discovery led to an understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs
Flying Gulf Air, one missed out having to use economy (6)
FRUGAL
Definition: having to use economy Anagram of GULF AIR less I (one)
Rewrote scene or act? Bless! (10)
CONSECRATE
Definition: Bless (SCENE OR ACT)
Some conservatoire backing debauchery (4)
RIOT
Definition: debauchery Hidden in reverse of conservaTOIRe
Man the pumps regularly, having finished the lot (3,2)
ATE UP
Definition: finished the lot Alternate letters of mAn ThE pUmPs
Oceanarium, not posh, spilt coffee (9)
AMERICANO
Definition: coffee Anagram of OCEANARIUM less U (posh, as in U and non-U)
Pasta course — dip into it! (7)
LASAGNE
Definition: Pasta SAG (dip) in LANE (course)
Vest — and what finishes it off (7)
SINGLET
Definition: Vest The word vest ends in a SINGLE T. An example of a clue where it would be impossible to get the answer from the wordplay alone *On second thoughts, I take back the last sentence – I was confused by the fact that SINGLET also ends in a single T.
Oracle is upset near the top side of lake (5)
SIBYL
Definition: Oracle Reverse of IS + BY (near) + L[ake]. For some reason the girl's name Sybil is usually spelt with the vowels interchanged
Cheese for girl in bed? On the contrary (7)
RICOTTA
Definition: Cheese COT in RITA (i.e. bed in girl)
Man and dog associated with jug (4)
TOBY
Definition: Man A man's name, a traditional name for a dog (especially the dog I Punch and Judy) and a type of jug; technically three definitions, but very closely related
London Taxi: sorry horse (grey): in a race, nobbled (7,8)
HACKNEY CARRIAGE
Definition: London Taxi HACK (a poor or "sorry" horse) + (GREY IN A RACE)* – rather a giveaway definition
Anthem offering trade-offs with hymnal, possibly (4,2,2,7)
LAND OF MY FATHERS
Definition: Anthem Anagram of TRADE-OFFS + HYMNAL – the unofficial national anthem of Wales
Exam — this one makes twelve (6-4)
ELEVEN-PLUS
Definition: Exam "this one" is ELEVEN PLUS ONE, which makes twelve
King under threat turns chicken … (2,5)
IN CHECK
Definition: King under threat CHICKEN* – the definition should really be "Like a king under threat" or some such; as it is it leads to the wrong part of speech
… early stone implements working the soil (7)
EOLITHS
Definition: early stone implements (THE SOIL)* – the ellipsis between this clue and the previous one seems to make no sense
Sheet anchor? (7,3)
CLOTHES PEG
Definition: Sheet anchor Cryptic definition – a clothes peg might be said to anchor a sheet to the washing line
Shipping area, which is proverbially steady on everything (7)
ROCKALL
Definition: Shipping area ROCK ("steady as a rock") + ALL
Boy at practice session getting lines! (7)
SONNETS
Definition: lines SON + NETS (cricket practice) – the exclamation mark seems pretty redundant here
Old lady's maid is a sizeable American, one needing leading liposuctionist (7)
ABIGAIL
Definition: Old lady's maid A BIG A[merican) + A +L[iposuctionist]. (I don't like "leading [X]" as "first letter of [X]") Traditional name for a lady's maid, perhaps originally from King David's wife Abigail in 1 Sam. 25:25, who describes herself as his handmaid when she first meets him; also the name of a character in the Jacobean comedy The Scornful Lady
Tutor rearranged piano quintet (5)
TROUT
Definition: piano quintet TUTOR* – the fourth movement of Schubert's "Trout" quintet is a set of variations on the tune of his song of the same name
Regularly taking out cloisonné cat (4)
LION
Definition: cat Alternate letters of cLoIsOnNé
Turn over realm's second most prominent magistrate (5)
REEVE
Definition: most prominent magistrate Reverse of VEER + second letter of rEalm. One of the meanings of REEVE is "chief magistrate of a distict". It also occurs in "sheriff" = "shire-reeve"
A letter describing numbers having entered compound (9)
ADENOSINE
Definition: compound NOS (numbers) + IN (having entered) in (described by) DEE (the letter D)
Perform other work, a piece for piano (9)
MOONLIGHT
Definition: Perform other work Double definition, the second referring to Beethoven's so-called (not by him) "Moonlight" Sonata, Op. 27 No 2.
A piece of Ireland bishop's kept in locker (5)
KERRY
Definition: A piece of Ireland RR in KEY
Keeping time, women playing there who will give you the edge? (7)
WHETTER
Definition: who will give you the edge T in W + THERE
With roll of fat for one of 27 2 23 (7)
PROTEUS
Definition: one of 27 2 23 PRO (with, as in "are you with me or against me") + reverse of SUET – Proteus is one of Shakespeare's *Two Gentlemen of Verona*, who might be described as "a couple of Veronese swells"
A bit short of power for new member of the family (5)
NIECE
Definition: member of the family N + [P]IECE
As endlessly inspired by hearties in resort? (3,3,3)
THE SEA AIR
Definition: As endlessly inspired by hearties in resort A[s] in HEARTIES* &lit – the definite article is a bit odd as part of the phrase, but it comes in handy for some other clues
One of 18 13 down 29 26 across coal-fired fans (5,4)
ALICE FORD
Definition: One of 18 13 down 29 26 across COAL-FIRED* – the referenced clues give THE WINOS FORD VIEWS, and the last three are an anagram of WIVES OF WINDSOR, so we have *The Merry * (i.e. drunk) *Wives of Windsor*, in which Alice Ford is a character. Interesting that the answer itself provides fodder for the anagram
Mum missing let me think these females could be from flighty mistress (7)
SISTERS
Definition: these females MISTRESS* less MUM without UM ("let me think")
7's 24 1 8 5 17 after 18, one hundred and ten? (7)
ANTONIO
Definition: 7's 24 1 8 5 17 after 18 AN (one) + TON (100) + IO (10) – the numbers give PIERRE'S SEA AIR FROM VERY BEAT-UP NIECE after THE, which is THE MER CHANT ("sea song/air" in French + OF (from) + V[ery] + ENICE (anagram of NIECE). Antonio is the title character of *The Merchant of Venice* (not Shylock, as sometimes erroneously thought).
What climbers seek to contend with, rivals holding hands? (5)
VIEWS
Definition: What climbers seek VIE + W S (two opponents in a game of Bridge, etc)
Song from Fred and Judy too, extra piece of brilliance by Delibes — fine soprano (1,6,2,6)
A COUPLE OF SWELLS
Definition: Song from Fred and Judy too A COUP (piece of brilliance) + LEO (Delibes) + SWELL (fine) + S[oprano] – this famous song
One of 27 2 23 somewhat prevalent in Eden (9)
VALENTINE
Definition: One of 27 2 23 Hidden in preVALENT IN Eden, Valentine being the second Gentleman of Verona
What Blarney Stone and Midas give an actress? (5)
GABOR
Definition: an actress The Blarney Stone gives the gift of the GAB, and Midas turned everything to gold or OR. For the actress, take your pick from the sisters Zsa Zsa, Eva and Magda
Out of class, suffering heart flutter (4)
FROM
Definition: Out of FORM (class, in school) with its "heart fluttering"
Poetry about a painter (8)
VERONESE
Definition: a painter ONE (a) in VERSE
Looking up 109 kg messenger, one of 18 13 down 29 26 across (8,4)
MARGARET PAGE
Definition: one of 18 13 down 29 26 across Reverse of TERAGRAM (1012 grams, or 109 kg) + PAGE (messenger). The original version didn't show the superscript, so it just read 109 kg, which was a bit confusing.. Another Merry Wife of Windsor
Worn out, but lively when cycling (4-2)
BEAT-UP
Definition: Worn out UPBEAT with its two parts "cycled"
The Elephants, Blue Horses etc, being ordered in 2s for ark (5,2,3)
WORKS OF ART
Definition: The Elephants, Blue Horses etc (TWOS FOR ARK)* – "The Elephants" and "Blue Horses" are paintings by Salvador Dali and Franz Marc respectively
The Rock of Marseille in connection with south of quay (6)
PIERRE
Definition: The Rock of Marseille PIER (quay) + RE (in connection with). Pierre is French for rock or stone
Fit, I agree (4,4)
VERY WELL
Definition: Fit Double definition
Prevail over 8 big drinkers (5)
WINOS
Definition: drinkers WIN (prevail) + OS (outsize, "very big")
Their fathers naval officers? Changing times! (3,7)
THE SEASONS
Definition: Changing times THE SEA SONS
Deal with mounting problem for drivers on a course? (3,2)
SEE TO
Definition: Deal with Reverse of O (zero) TEES, which would be a problem for golfers
American in love? Dear me, no — how awful (8)
ENAMORED
Definition: American in love (DEAR ME NO)*, with the definition pointing out the American spelling
In an emergency, belting female's jumping in bed with earls (2,4,2)
IF NEED BE
Definition: In an emergency F in anagram of (IN BED + two E[arl]s)
65, or 54? (OAP's essential verbal test) (4)
VIVA
Definition: verbal test VIV, which can be split as VI V = 6 5, or V IV = 5 4, + [O]A[P]. To be picky, a Viva is an *oral* (spoken) test, not verbal (using words).
Ordinary seaman's two sets of cards (8)
DECKHAND
Definition: Ordinary seaman DECK (pack of cards) + HAND (cards held by a player)
Lighter to bump into (5)
BARGE
Definition: Lighter Double definition
Extent of some software amazing (4)
AREA
Definition: Extent Hidden in softwARE Amazing
Welcome s-success, to be admitted here (4,2,4)
HALL OF FAME
Definition: here HALLO F-FAME
Runs after luggage round hotel (6)
CHASES
Definition: Runs after H in CASES
Marines trained for a year in academy (8)
SEMINARY
Definition: academy MARINES* + Y
Serious tennis played by European (7)
INTENSE
Definition: Serious TENNIS* + E
Gangster catcalls heard in capital (7)
ALGIERS
Definition: capital AL + homophone of "jeers"
Competition one may have in the bag (4,4)
SACK RACE
Definition: Competition one may have in the bag Cryptic definition
Holiday emergency! (6)
MAYDAY
Definition: Holiday Double definition
Such a gripping tale we hear (10)
PREHENSILE
Definition: Such a gripping tale we hear A homophone in the clue itself, describing a prehensile "tail"
Old British settler needed for 20? (4)
JUTE
Definition: Old British settler Double definition – sacks may be made of jute, and the Jutes (the name is probably related to the Danish peninsula Jutland) invaded Britain in the 4th century
Rear small bird (5)
STERN
Definition: Rear S + TERN
150 of the Romans stand for disinfectant (8)
CHLORINE
Definition: disinfectant 150 is CL in Roman numerals, and Cl is the chemical symbol of, or stands for, Chlorine