Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
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|---|---|---|
Patience when abused may succeed in circling the world (4,4)
|
WEAR THIN
|
Definition: Patience when abused may
EARTH in WIN
|
Bird that sounds piercing (4)
|
SKUA
|
Definition: Bird
Homophone of "skewer"
|
Ways to secure love that inspires pity (6)
|
PATHOS
|
Definition: that inspires pity
O (zero, love) in PATHS
|
Look up to speaker's lazy eyes (7)
|
IDOLISE
|
Definition: Look up to
Homophone of "idle eyes"
|
A British girl put on pounds: unusual? (8)
|
ABNORMAL
|
Definition: unusual
A + B + NORMAL + L (pounds, in the money sense)
|
Don't purify murky depth (10)
|
PROFUNDITY
|
Definition: depth
(DON'T PURIFY)
|
Before St David's Day the Guardian declares a republic (6)
|
WEIMAR
|
Definition: a republic
WE (the Guardian) + 1 MAR (St David's Day)
|
Petty criminal who tells on his accomplices? (5,5)
|
SNEAK THIEF
|
Definition: Petty criminal
Double/cryptic definition, relying on sneak = tell on
|
Only for men: old woman has time still (8)
|
STAGNANT
|
Definition: still
STAG (for men only) + NAN (old woman) + T
|
Call about oven for cooking (8)
|
ROASTING
|
Definition: cooking
OAST (oven) in RIN (call)
|
Dog we held up in entrance (7)
|
BEWITCH
|
Definition: entrance
Reverse of WE in BITCH
|
Stop thief! (6)
|
ARREST
|
Definition: Stop thief
Arresting a thief would stop him, so it's a (rather weak) cryptic definition. A pity that "thief" appears in the clue so soon after 13d, where it's part of the answer
|
Mule is chewing cereal (6)
|
MUESLI
|
Definition: cereal
(MULE IS)
|
Panel put into a box (4)
|
JURY
|
Definition: Panel put into a box
A barely cryptic definition – a jury sits in the jury box in a courtroom
|
Where crafty people meet Cathy's bolshie staff (5,4)
|
YACHT CLUB
|
Definition: Where crafty people meet
CATHY* + CLUB (staff)
|
Location of oral sense (4)
|
SITE
|
Definition: Location
Homophone of "sight" (one of the senses)
|
Prelude to a fever abroad? Don't worry (5,3)
|
CHILL OUT
|
Definition: Don't worry
A CHILL when you're OUT might be a sign of a coming fever
|
Tennis player's scoop? (6)
|
SERVER
|
Definition: Tennis player
Double definition
|
Left in front of a large entrance (6)
|
PORTAL
|
Definition: entrance
PORT (left) + A L
|
Type of heating, I say, needing line and shot (3-5)
|
OIL-FIRED
|
Definition: Type of heating
OI (I say!) + L[ine] + FIRED (shot)
|
Rank shabby material in South America (6)
|
STATUS
|
Definition: Rank
TAT in S US
|
Ground gave in when roping a tense steer (8)
|
NAVIGATE
|
Definition: steer
A T in (GAVE IN)
|
Miles got into strange, bad habits (8)
|
GARMENTS
|
Definition: habits
M in STRANGE
|
Relishes getting round in that way (4,2)
|
LIKE SO
|
Definition: in that way
LIKES (relishes) + O (round)
|
It produces the latest novel: Second Opportunity (8)
|
NEWSROOM
|
Definition: It produces the latest
NEW (novel) + S + ROOM (opportunity)
|
In which items to be sent do better in a ring? (3,3)
|
OUT BOX
|
Definition: In which items to be sent
To OUT-BOX is to do better than your opponent in a boxing ring
|
Scope of party chief (6)
|
DOMAIN
|
Definition: Scope
DO (party) + MAIN (chief)
|
Invent a top and await (3,5)
|
LIE AHEAD
|
Definition: await
LIE (invent) + A HEAD. I'm not entirely happy with the definition, but I suppose it's as in "what troubles await us"
|
Advantage Mantel (though line is off) (4)
|
EDGE
|
Definition: Advantage
LEDGE (mantel) less L
|
Reprimand after cardinal walked over by VIPs (3,6)
|
RED CARPET
|
Definition: walked over by VIPs
RED (cardinal – from the colour a cardinal's cloak) + CARPET (to reprimand)
|
Grass up old love beast (5)
|
YAHOO
|
Definition: beast
Reverse of HAY + O (old) + O (0, love in tennis) – one of the human-like creatures in *Gulliver's Travels
|
Flyer's fancy tie stuffed into gun (4,3)
|
COLE TIT
|
Definition: Flyer
TIE* in COLT. Variant spelling of the more usual "coal tit"
|
Ill-tempered character of rector in charge (5)
|
TROLL
|
Definition: Ill-tempered character
R[ector] in TOLL (change)
|
Disappointed officer covers Estonia's premier with feathers (3,4)
|
LET DOWN
|
Definition: Disappointed
E in LT (lieutenant, officer) + DOWN (feathers)
|
Mean to get even — 'Water erosion of land stops here!' (4,5)
|
BASE LEVEL
|
Definition: Water erosion of land stops here
BASE (mean) + LEVEL (even) – in geology, base level is the lower limit for an erosion process
|
Going over the water, Channel-hopping? (7)
|
SURFING
|
Definition: Going over the water
Double definition, with the channels being on a TV
|
Article on government branch by cabinet minister: "Low point of misery!" (3,6)
|
THE DEPTHS
|
Definition: Low point of misery
THE (article) DEPT (department, branch of government) + HS (Home Secretary)
|
Figure transported to a prize day (9)
|
TRAPEZOID
|
Definition: Figure
(TO A PRIZE)* + D[ay]
|
Star needs relaxant — a timely drink (9)
|
SUNDOWNER
|
Definition: timely drink
SUN (star) + DOWNER
|
Word manipulation: replace A with E (7)
|
MESSAGE
|
Definition: Word
MASSAGE with the first A replaced by E
|
Had a taste of winter transport fitted with electrical unit (7)
|
SAMPLED
|
Definition: Had a taste of
AMP (ampere, unit of electric current) in SLED
|
Dressing up to pursue sailing vessel (7)
|
KETCHUP
|
Definition: Dressing
KETCH + UP
|
Head to be removed from fool, right? Put before a Salome? (5)
|
OPERA
|
Definition: Salome?
[D]OPE + R + A. Salome is an opera by Richard Strauss
|
Ring member for visually stimulating work (2,3)
|
OP ART
|
Definition: visually stimulating work
O + PART
|
Ring to cancel film (7)
|
ANNULET
|
Definition: Ring
ANNUL (cancel) + E.T. (Spielberg film)
|
Exodus follows this for band (7)
|
GENESIS
|
Definition: Exodus follows this
Double definition – the book of Exodus follows Genesis in the Old Testament
|
By that place outside auditorium (7)
|
THEATRE
|
Definition: auditorium
AT (by) with THERE (that place) "outside"
|
Left backing, capturing rest of outstanding piece (7)
|
RELIEVO
|
Definition: outstanding piece
LIE (to rest) in reverse of OVER (left)
|
Films Marley's I Shot the Sheriff, primarily (5)
|
MISTS
|
Definition: Films
Initial letters of Marley's I Shot The Sheriff
|
Trailer, so entertaining TV show gets support (9)
|
ADHERENCE
|
Definition: support
AD (trailer) + E.R. (tv show) in HENCE (so)
|
Times with little light reading as plane crashes (9)
|
EVENFALLS
|
Definition: Times with little light
EVEN (plane, as in a plane surface) + FALLS (crashes) – I was unsure about the point of "reading", but I suppose it's saying "you can read the answer as…". I didn't know this word, but its meaning is clear, by analogy with "nightfall"
|
Big microphone comes from heavy metal (5)
|
OSMIC
|
Definition: from heavy metal
OS (outsize, big) + MIC – from the metal Osmium
|
Lovers single? Engagement over? (7)
|
GIGOLOS
|
Definition: Lovers
Reverse of SOLO (single) + GIG (engagement)
|
Ex-Chancellor is one: robs poor to make investment (7)
|
OSBORNE
|
Definition: Ex-Chancellor
ROBS* in ONE – George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer in David Cameron's government, now editor of the London Evening Standard
|
Milk teeth initially dropped out for similar ones (3,4)
|
THE LIKE
|
Definition: similar ones
Anagram of [M]ILK [T]EETH
|
Republican American is turning to one like Putin? (7)
|
RUSSIAN
|
Definition: like Putin
R + US + reverse of IS + AN
|
It bubbles in minutes: pasta cooking (4,8)
|
ASTI SPUMANTE
|
Definition: It bubbles
(MINUTES PASTA)
|
Fiddles money playing with legends (7)
|
MONKEYS
|
Definition: Fiddles
M (money) + ON (playing) + KEYS (legends, as in a diagram)
|
On the road, you might see them record behind Bob (1-6)
|
L-PLATES
|
Definition: On the road, you might see them
LP (record) + LATE (behind) + S (shilling = bob)
|
Month (Feb) starts off with everyone alert (2,3,4)
|
ON THE BALL
|
Definition: alert
[M]ONTH [F]EB + ALL
|
Listener describing empty stage for musician (5)
|
ELGAR
|
Definition: musician
L[E]G (leg = stage, e.g. of a sporting competion) in EAR (listener)
|
Incompetent musician taking note (7)
|
BUNGLER
|
Definition: Incompetent
N in BUGLER
|
Record lively set at home to show band's manager (7)
|
EPSTEIN
|
Definition: band's manager
E.P. (record) + SET* + IN (at home) – Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles 1962-67
|
Ring man's bird with number? (12)
|
BANTAMWEIGHT
|
Definition: Ring man
BANTAM (bird) + W[ith] + EIGHT. "Ring man" = boxer
|
They hide the truth of kinky sex in order to escape mocking remark on return (12)
|
SMOKESCREENS
|
Definition: They hide the truth
S[&]M (kinky sex) + OK (in order) + ESC[ape] + reverse of SNEER
|
Chart man's got up to stuff (9)
|
HISTOGRAM
|
Definition: Chart
HIS (man's) + reverse of TOG + RAM (to stuff)
|
Unusually, left stage at end of Three Little Birds (7)
|
EAGLETS
|
Definition: Little Birds
[stag]E + (L STAGE)*. *Three Little Birds* is a Bob Marley song
|
Gave way to current director (7)
|
FELLINI
|
Definition: director
FELL IN (gave way) + I (symbol for electric current)
|
One Love then Buffalo Soldier's final parts for singer (7)
|
ORBISON
|
Definition: singer
O ([one] love) + BISON (buffalo, as American bison are sometimes incorrectly named) "parted by" [soldie]R (i.e. "Soldier's final"). *One Love* and *Buffalo Soldier* are both Bob Marley songs
|
Spread butter around, small amount (7)
|
MARMITE
|
Definition: Spread
Reverse of RAM ("butter", i.e. one that butts) + MITE (small amount)
|
High stone to go climbing (5)
|
STEEP
|
Definition: High
ST[one] + reverse of PEE (to go). I thought "steep" for "high" seemed a little loose, but perhaps it's as in "that's a bit steep" describing a high price
|
Trouble began under sea … or lower? (8,5)
|
ABERDEEN ANGUS
|
Definition: lower
(BEGAN UNDER SEA)*, with the definition "lower" meaning "one that lows (moos)"
|
Twice I let suit run public services (9)
|
UTILITIES
|
Definition: public services
Anagram of I twice + LET SUIT
|
Little time for a gloomy type (5)
|
MOPER
|
Definition: gloomy type
MO (a little time) + PER (a, as in miles a second)
|
Nancy's lover is 21 on film (5)
|
SIKES
|
Definition: Nancy's lover
SI (IS reversed, or "about face") + KES (1969 film). Bill Sikes is Nancy's lover in *Oliver Twist
|
Mammal disconcerted eating Welshman (4,5)
|
TREE SHREW
|
Definition: Mammal
REES (Welsh name) in THREW (disconcerted)
|
Was a candidate returned? Consider recount (7)
|
NARRATE
|
Definition: recount
Reverse of RAN (was a candidate – mostly an American usage, as in "ran for office"; in the UK we would usually say "stood") + RATE (consider)
|
'Fish good for us' (Nancy's friend) (7)
|
GOURAMI
|
Definition: Fish
G + OUR (for us) + AMI (this Nancy is the French city)
|
Finishes posting, having succeeded at last (7)
|
ENDINGS
|
Definition: Finishes
SENDING (posting) with S[ucceeded] move to the end
|
Part company after rent increase (5,2)
|
SPLIT UP
|
Definition: Part company
SPLIT (rent) + UP (to increase)
|
'Answer attack with force' (one in US military command) (5,4)
|
ABOUT FACE
|
Definition: US military command
A[nswer] + BOUT (attack) + F[orce] + ACE (one)
|
About to have almost a month on island (5)
|
CAPRI
|
Definition: island
C (circa, about) + APRI[L]
|
Brute's associates in dramatic murder back on run, say (5)
|
UTTER
|
Definition: say
Reverse of ET TU (words that precede, or are associated with, "Brute" in the famous line from *Julius Caesar*, just before his assassination, so a "dramatic murder". The definition is cleverly concealed in the inconspicuous "say"
|
Travelling by rail, I missed getting seat (2,7)
|
IN TRANSIT
|
Definition: Travelling
IN TRAIN (by rail) less the second I, + SIT (seat)
|
Copying the example of fans at match (9,4)
|
FOLLOWING SUIT
|
Definition: Copying the example
FOLLOWING (fans) + SUIT (match)
|
Narrow-minded and maybe retired? (9)
|
BLINKERED
|
Definition: Narrow-minded
AND (a "linker") "in BED" (retired)
|
Attacks are loud on a Tory leader, initially (5)
|
RAIDS
|
Definition: Attacks
R (homophone – "loud" – of "are") + A + IDS (Iain Duncan Smith, former tory leader)
|
Most impressive! Let's reread communication (7)
|
EPISTLE
|
Definition: communication
"Most [of]" EPI[C] (impressive) + LETS* ("reread" as a past participle, rhyming with "bed")
|
Fledgling gets encouraged to climb, having something to fall back on (4,3)
|
NEST EGG
|
Definition: something to fall back on
Hidden in reverse of fledlinG GETS ENcouraged. I made unnecessarily heavy weather of this, trying to use fledgling = nestling, before seeing the obvious
|
Charlie no longer operating, welcomes doctors into country (9)
|
NUMBSKULL
|
Definition: Charlie
MBS (doctors) in UK (country), all in NULL (no longer operating)
|
Part of Oxford University course, right? (5)
|
UPPER
|
Definition: Part of Oxford
U[niversity] + PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) + R. PPE is indeed a course at Oxford University (and elsewhere), but for the definition here the Oxford is a shoe
|
Worth a trial? (8,5)
|
NUISANCE VALUE
|
Definition: Worth a trial
Cryptic definition, as in [his] worth [is] a trial, I suppose. Rather a weak one, I thought – I would have liked some additional wordplay
|
PM that is prepared to spin, getting credit (7,6)
|
BROWNIE POINTS
|
Definition: credit
[Gordon] BROWN (former PM) + I.E + anagram ("prepared") of TO SPIN
|
One relative without uniform, another without clothes (2,7)
|
AU NATUREL
|
Definition: without clothes
A (one) with AUNT (relative) outside or "without" + U[niform] + REL (relative, as in grammar)
|
Fabulous body — one quietly captivated for starters (9)
|
ANTIPASTI
|
Definition: starters
I P (piano, quietly) in the contents or "body" of [F]ANTASTI[C]
|
Prospect of the drink running out — wives each getting stuck in (3,4)
|
SEA VIEW
|
Definition: Prospect of the drink
EA[ch] in WIVES* – I can't make much sense of "running" here: it doesn't seem fit in either the definition or the anagram indicator
|
Make more agreeable to repeatedly small number (7)
|
SWEETEN
|
Definition: Make more agreeable
S + WEE (two kinds of "small") + TEN (number)
|
Better be enough — dismissed previously (5)
|
OUTDO
|
Definition: Better
OUT (dismissed) + DO (be enough)
|
Grossly stupid councillor Trump's behind (5)
|
CRASS
|
Definition: Grossly stupid
C[ouncillo]R + ASS (American "behind")
|
American guy requiring doctor – it's potentially devastating (5)
|
A-BOMB
|
Definition: it's potentially devastating
A + BO + M.B.
|
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