Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
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|---|---|---|
Way in which reforms scare cad so (6,4) | ACCESS ROAD | Definition: Way in
(SCARE CAD SO) |
Bore young child with Guardian leader, say (5) | TOTED | Definition: Bore
TOT (child) + ED[itor] |
I am popular around place for wine drinking (8) | IMBIBING | Definition: drinking
BIN (where wine is stored) in I'm BIG |
Eg Romeo and Juliet miscast in it, alas (8) | ITALIANS | Definition: Eg Romeo and Juliet
(IN IT ALAS)* – R & J is set in Verona |
With respect to dances, provides new arrangement (6) | REJIGS | Definition: provides new arrangement
RE + JIGS |
Family supporting relative briefly as singer (6) | SISKIN | Definition: singer
SIS[ter] + KIN |
Help for travellers, representatives covering area (4) | MAPS | Definition: Help for travellers
A in MPS |
Music critic consulted over Beethoven's Fifth (4) | SHAW | Definition: Music critic
Fifth letter of beetHoven n SAW (consulted). GBS started off as a theatre and music critic |
Curious final parts in addition to serious play (4) | NOSY | Definition: Curious
Last letters of additioN tO seriouS plaY |
On stage, Bible not at first readable (7) | LEGIBLE | Definition: readable
LEG (stage, e.g. of a sporting contest) + [B]IBLE |
From nightspot, ejects black cats (7) | BOUNCES | Definition: From nightspot, ejects
B[lack] + OUNCES (Snow Leopards – cats) |
Troops in a body, almost (5) | CORPS | Definition: Troops
CORPS[E] |
Policy for Twenty20 accident? (3-3-3) | HIT-AND-RUN | Definition: accident
Twenty20 is a shortened for of cricket where hit-and-run might be a good way to score runs quickly; it's also a road accident where the culprit flees the scene |
Electronic device starts iron working (10) | TRANSISTOR | Definition: Electronic device
(STARTS IRON) |
Left good books in pile for auction (3) | LOT | Definition: pile for auction
L + O[ld] T[estament] |
Everything ready to forge glossy metals (3,7,2) | ALL SYSTEMS GO | Definition: Everything ready
(GLOSSY METALS) |
Short of money, regularly taking stimulants? (2,4,6) | ON ONE’S UPPERS | Definition: Short of money
Double definition, uppers being stimulant drugs |
It is dropped on the grass (3) | DEW | Definition: It is dropped on the grass
Cryptic definition: dropped = consisting of drops |
Its carriers are poles apart (5,5) | SEDAN CHAIR | Definition: Its carriers are poles apart
Cryptic definition |
Aware when tin OK to recycle (2,3,4) | IN THE KNOW | Definition: Aware
(WHEN TIN OK) |
Passage in a detached place (5) | AISLE | Definition: Passage
A + ISLE |
In which conspirators are getting together (7) | CAHOOTS | Definition: In which conspirators are getting together
Cryptic definition |
Star mark for tropical resort? (7) | SUNSPOT | Definition: tropical resort
SUN + SPOT |
Find commanding officer getting in after time (6) | LOCATE | Definition: Find
~~CO~~ OC in LATE |
Ranger managed to arrest European (6) | GERMAN | Definition: European
~~RANGER*~~ *Don't know where that came from: actually it's hidden in ranGER MANaged |
Top salesman, hardly needed to shift this? (4,6) | BEST SELLER | Definition: this
A top salesman is a BEST SELLER, and BEST SELLERs (books) presumably don't need a salesman |
Character of those whose energy is raised right up (5) | ETHOS | Definition: Character
THOSE with E (energy) moved to the top |
Last drink cheers (7,2) | BOTTOMS UP | Definition: cheers
BOTTOM (last) + SUP |
Some fanciful name for part of the arm (4) | ULNA | Definition: part of the arm
Hidden in fancifUL NAme |
Negligent, not having transport round Spain (8) | CARELESS | Definition: Negligent
E (Spain) in CAR-LESS |
Authority contains uprising (8) | SANCTION | Definition: Authority
CONTAINS |
Fairy that's mischievous: clean her up (10) | LEPRECHAUN | Definition: Fairy
(CLEAN HER UP) |
So swivel round when speaking for a glass of this? (9) | SAUTERNES | Definition: this
Homophone of "so turn" |
Token of success for heavy metal band? (4,4) | GOLD DISC | Definition: Token of success
GOLD is a heavy metal: not sure if a DISC is a band, or if this is just an extended cryptic definition |
Follow timepiece for two hours on duty (8) | DOGWATCH | Definition: two hours on duty
DOG (follow) + WATCH (timepiece) |
Don't take opportunity to succeed at university (4,2) | PASS UP | Definition: Don't take opportunity
PASS (succeed in an exam) + UP (at university) |
Find position in the east (6) | ORIENT | Definition: Find position
Double definition |
Formerly, a fascist symbol broken in half (2,3) | AS WAS | Definition: Formerly
A SWAS[tika] |
He deserves woman's love (4) | HERO | Definition: He deserves woman's love
HER + O, and an extended definition |
Intended heartlessly to follow United as a penance (9) | ATONEMENT | Definition: penance
AT ONE (united) + ME[a]NT |
America, for example, backing employment (5) | USAGE | Definition: employment
USA + reverse of E.G. |
Stray doctor provided the end of treatment (5) | DRIFT | Definition: Stray
DR + IF (provided) + [treatmen]T |
Result of dental anaesthesia overdose? Idiot! (9) | NUMBSKULL | Definition: Idiot
Too much anaesthetic might give you a NUMB SKULL |
In the middle of the red line (7) | CENTRAL | Definition: In the middle
Double definition – the Central Line is red on the London Underground map |
Title giving lad more trouble (7) | EARLDOM | Definition: Title
(LAD MORE) |
Church chasing film vampire and bloodsucker (5) | LEECH | Definition: bloodsucker
LEE (Christopher Lee, who played Dracula in several films) |
Annoying electronic sound endlessly made by buzzer (3) | BEE | Definition: buzzer
BEE[p] |
Animal is a shy bear, by the sound of it (5) | COYPU | Definition: Animal
COY + homophone of [Winnie the] "Pooh" |
Number making heck of a racket in exam (7) | ORDINAL | Definition: Number
DIN in ORAL |
Time for resolution as jury split by two different articles (7) | JANUARY | Definition: Time for resolution
AN and A separately, in JURY, with a reference to New Year's resolution |
Strangely unrecognisable without being criminal (9) | LARCENOUS | Definition: criminal
UNRECOGNISABLE* less the letters of BEING |
Useless computers holding writer back (5) | INEPT | Definition: Useless
Reverse of PEN in IT (computers) |
Not a street where things happen (5) | VENUE | Definition: where things happen
AVENUE (street) less A |
Cockney pet mad about city (9) | AMSTERDAM | Definition: city
[h]AMSTER + reverse of MAD |
What softens onion dhal, cooked with a tiny bit of turmeric (4,6) | HAND LOTION | Definition: What softens
Anagram of ONION DAHL + T[urmeric] |
Gambler seen on top of tavern, he may be the finest yet (6,4,4) | BETTER THAN EVER | Definition: the finest yet
BETTER (gambler) + (TAVERN HE) |
Boys back-to-back in the doghouse (6) | KENNEL | Definition: doghouse
KEN + reverse of LEN |
Deep trouble following street in the morning rush (8) | STAMPEDE | Definition: rush
ST + AM (in the morning) + DEEP |
Crazy nightmare might be the case for Brazil (8) | NUTSHELL | Definition: case for Brazil
NUTS (crazy) HELL (nightmare) |
Study Arabic, half drunk, for 24 hours (8) | SATURDAY | Definition: 24 hours
Anagram of STUDY + half of ARA[bic] |
G'day! Swap taps for some strings (5) | CELLO | Definition: some strings
HELLO with H[ot] replaced by C[old] |
Side and corner shot? Think again! (10) | RECONSIDER | Definition: Think again
(SIDE CORNER) |
Quiet and timid, like Mickey, Jerry or Stuart? (5) | MOUSY | Definition: Quiet and timid
Double definition – Mickey and Jerry are very well known mice, Stuart perhaps less obvious |
Long-term, it's said you are in the finale (8) | ENDURING | Definition: Long-term
Homophone of "you are" in ENDING |
Raise little dog just for one's holiday home? (8) | BALMORAL | Definition: one's holiday home
Reverse of LAB[rador] MORAL (just); "one's" shows that it's the Queen's holiday home, though I think she stopped referring to herself as "one" some time ago, at least in public. I've always suspected this was because she was lampooned for it, as with her other catchphrase "my husband and I", which she also doesn't use any more |
Fair, therefore bang on (4,2) | JUST SO | Definition: bang on
JUST (fair) + SO (therefore) |
Schedule non-disclosure agreement after a long time (6) | AGENDA | Definition: Schedule
AGE + NDA |
Nothing to be found between 13 down and 28 (4) | LOVE | Definition: Nothing
~~If you put O (zero, nothing) between 13d and 27a then we see ordina**L O VE**nue; it's not really an &lit (aka clue as definition), but that's the general idea~~ *Ignore that rubbish: it's hidden in celLO + VEnue – thanks wooden_tree |
Volume of customers (4) | TOME | Definition: Volume
Hidden in cusTOMErs |
Hear simple story swapped on an aircraft (9) | TAILPLANE | Definition: on an aircraft
Homophone of "plain tail" with the elements interchanged. I don't like "on an aircraft" for "part of an aircraft": it's like my bugbear of "in France" for "a place in France" |
Man has trip, one in France (5) | SHAUN | Definition: Man
HAS* + UN (French for "one") |
Saint even broke into two churches? Yes, that's risky (7) | CHANCEY | Definition: risky
Even letters of sAiNt in CH + CE, plus Y. A rather odd-looking spelling, but it's in the dictionaries |
Touches margins, moving right towards the end (7) | FINGERS | Definition: Touches
FRINGES with the R moved almost to the end |
Welsh party rejected holding hands with everyone (5) | WORLD | Definition: everyone
R[ight] and L[eft] in W + reverse of DO |
Children's workspaces? Just the opposite (9) | PLAYROOMS | Definition: Children's workspaces? Just the opposite
The best way I can find to parse this is that PLAY is "Children's work", plus ROOMS for "spaces", but it seems rather weak; maybe I'm missing something |
Around court, Michael Corleone's worried, giving away no type of reaction (15) | ELECTROCHEMICAL | Definition: type of reaction
CT in anagram of MICHAEL CORLEONE, less NO |
More clean than a mouse? (9) | SQUEAKIER | Definition: More clean
double/cryptic definition, alluding to the expression "squeaky clean" |
Not better with sore bum (5) | WORSE | Definition: Not better
W[ith] + SORE |
Amount of fancy stiff upper lip, for starters (7) | FISTFUL | Definition: Amount
STIFF* + U[pper] L[ip] |
Clubs and diamonds: bridge often going over these (7) | DRIVERS | Definition: Clubs
D[iamonds] + RIVERS (what some bridges go over) |
Menageries house mass of flies (5) | ZOOMS | Definition: flies
M in ZOOS |
Touring Panama, cooks get this food (9) | SPAGHETTI | Definition: food
PA in (GET THIS) |
Small parasite sits on small bark of deciduous plants (10) | STICKWEEDS | Definition: plants
S + TICK (parasite) + WEE (small) + D[eciduou]S |
Compile grid with ease? No way! (8) | DISAGREE | Definition: No way
(GRID EASE)*. The definition seems to be the wrong part of speech, but I suppose you could consider the answer as an exclamation, like "no way!" |
Arranged walk round Scotland's borders? On the contrary (6) | SPACED | Definition: Arranged
PACE in S[cotlan]D |
Young horse born inside (4) | BABY | Definition: Young
B in BAY |
Training note after he translated for old writer (3-7) | PEN-FEATHER | Definition: old writer
PE (training) + N + (AFTER HE) |
Reynard's enemy is initially enjoying music over Ring cycle (8) | ISENGRIM | Definition: Reynard's enemy
IS + NGRI ("cycled" RING) in E[njoying] M[usic]. Isengrim is Reynard the Fox's uncle and enemy in the old fables |
Greta trades her soul for unknown European summer house (6) | GAZEBO | Definition: summer house
[Greta] GARBO with the middle letter or "soul" replaced by Z (unknown) E[uropean]. The surface is presumably referring to Greta Thunberg |
Finishes post from top to bottom (4) | ENDS | Definition: Finishes
SEND (post) with the S moved to the end, though "from to to bottom" doesn't really indicate this |
Expert is left gambling on dollar with no gain (10) | PROFITLESS | Definition: with no gain
PRO + (IS LEFT)* + S (from the dollar sign, $) |
Argentine's family has type of small white onion (10) | SILVERSKIN | Definition: type of small white onion
SILVER'S KIN – Argentine literally means "silver" |
Marine creature reportedly towed fellow by his pants (8) | TOADFISH | Definition: Marine creature
"Towed" + F + HIS* – an aptly named sea creature: also the nickname of a character in *Neighbours |
Instrument, somewhat forgotten, rockets to the sky (8) | CORNETTO | Definition: Instrument
Hidden in reverse of forgOTTEN ROCkets. As well as being a type of ice cream, the cornett or cornetto is an old musical instrument, not to be confused with the modern trumpet-like cornet |
Result involved in hitting a six? (6) | UPSHOT | Definition: Result
A batsman might score a six as a result of a SHOT that goes UPwards |
First flyer bearing straight (6) | WRIGHT | Definition: First flyer
W[est] (compass bearing) + RIGHT (straight); referring tp Wilbur Wright, though his was of course only the first *powered* flight |
The Boys in Blue, or Blur? (4) | FUZZ | Definition: The Boys in Blue
Double definition, "the fuzz" being slang (of uncertain origin – possibly from either "fuss" or "force") for the police (aka the boys in blue) |
After injecting drug, parent is numb (4) | DEAD | Definition: numb
E[cstasy] in DAD |
Grated cheese enveloping something in rank marinade (9) | ESCABECHE | Definition: marinade
CAB (taxi – found in a rank) in CHEESE |
Dock unloaded citrus fruit and fish (4) | SHAD | Definition: fish
SHADDOCK (citrus fruit) less DOCK |
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