Clue
stringlengths
6
133
Answer
stringlengths
3
46
Explanation
stringlengths
5
888
Sign, say, over vehicle (6)
GEMINI
Definition: Sign E.G. ("say") reversed + MINI (car), for the astrological "sign"
Park employee called King Edward? (6)
RANGER
Definition: Park employee RANG (called) + E.R.
Work away, almost leisurely, to get a lot of money (4)
SLOG
Definition: Work away SLO[W] ("leisurely") + G (grand, 1000 pounds or dollars)
Denouncer's unorthodox antics 'cool' (10)
ICONOCLAST
Definition: Denouncer (ANTICS COOL)
Bit of a mishap: Grand Canal emptied and burning (6)
GLITCH
Definition: Bit of a mishap G[rand cana]L + ITCH (burning). I spent a while trying to make this out of GC and LIT for "burning"
Pull back, being a much-travelled character (8)
GULLIVER
Definition: a much-travelled character LUG reversed + LIVER (one who lives, a being). Gulliver is a proposed European mission to collect samples from the Martian moon Deimos, so called because *Gulliver's Travels* describes the scientists of Laputa knowing of two moons orbiting Mars, over a century before they were actually found
Energy-packed NCO material (9)
CORPOREAL
Definition: material E in CORPORAL
World title cracked by amateur (4)
MARS
Definition: World A[mateur] in MRS (title)
Don Juan's undone and missing a godly partner (4)
JUNO
Definition: a godly partner Anagram of DON JUAN minus AND. In Roman mythology, Juno is the wife of Jupiter
Qualifier, Jet, overwhelmed with advice (9)
ADJECTIVE
Definition: Qualifier (JET ADVICE)
Trials take place here shortly — one has to be still (8)
INACTIVE
Definition: still Trials taks place IN A C[our]T, + I'VE (I have = one has)
For example, Sebastian Drive, backing onto ancient city (not eastern) (6)
MARTYR
Definition: For example, Sebastian Reverse of RAM (to drive) + TYRE less E. St Sebastian was a third-century Christian martyr
Pioneer father secures source of hieroglyphic discovery (10)
PATHFINDER
Definition: Pioneer H[ieroglyphic} + FIND (discovery) in PATER
Greens getting a conspicuous star (4)
VEGA
Definition: conspicuous star VEG (vegetables, greens) + A
Roger, protected by criminal, arrives at low point (6)
TROUGH
Definition: low point R[oger] in TOUGH (criminal)
Alarm — time to put on slip (6)
TERROR
Definition: Alarm T + ERROR. The opposite construction (removing T from TERROR to give ERROR) has already appeared twice in FT puzzles this week, so I was primed for this one
Inquisition victim, young woman associated with international sign (7)
GALILEO
Definition: Inquisition victim GAL (girl, young woman) + I[nternational] + LEO (another astrological sign)
Force could, possibly (5)
MIGHT
Definition: Force Double definition
In no case loose the rein (7)
NEITHER
Definition: In no case (THE REIN)
God represented by parrot wearing a ring (6)
APOLLO
Definition: God POLL (parrot) in A O
Impertinence shown by terrible old ruler — time to run around (9)
GALLIVANT
Definition: to run around GALL (impertinence) + IVAN (the Terrible) + T
Artist, British actor and, finally, Francis Bacon (7)
RASHERS
Definition: Bacon RA (artist) + SHER (Sir Antony Sher, actor) + [Franci]S
Crude hooligan, Desperate Dan, has cash (5,3,5)
ROUGH AND READY
Definition: Crude ROUGH (hooligan) + DAN* + READY (cash)
Obvious liar about to cut Chopin composition, Zeus's lover (9)
PINOCCHIO
Definition: Obvious liar C (circa, about) in CHOPIN* + IO (Greek mythology this time – Io was a mortal lover of Zeus). Pinocchio was an "obvious liar" because of the nose-growing thing
Vessel on which folk duo member found objects of rubbish (4,3)
JUNK ART
Definition: objects of rubbish JUNK (vessel) + ART (Garfunkel, as in Simon and..)
Term wasted with eel that's prone to disease (3,4)
ELM TREE
Definition: that's prone to disease (TERM EEL)* – the British Elm population was devastated by Dutch Elm disease in the 1970s
Drake versus duck with a grey cast? (7)
VOYAGER
Definition: Drake V[ersus] O (zero, duck) + (A GREY)* – as a definition-by-example this really needs a "maybe" after "Drake"
Marauding type of short woman married to ruler (6)
VIKING
Definition: Marauding type VI (woman's name, short for Violet) joined or "married" to KING (ruler). Perhaps a better definition than "pirate", as in Monday's Quiptic
Dog collar's hem old parson turned up? (5)
ROVER
Definition: Dog Last letter or "hem" of collaR + O + reverse of REV. I wonder if any dogs are still called Rover (or Fido) these days
Bald eagle: fly off with cold chill around North (8,10)
FOLLICLY CHALLENGED
Definition: Bald Anagram of EAGLE FLY COLD CHILL N. This facetious or euphemistic phrase isn't in Chambers, but does appear in several online dictionaries
Teacher's to take one school to collect college books (6)
SCOTCH
Definition: Teacher's to take one C[ollege] OT (Old Testament) in SCH; "to take one" means that Teacher's is an example of a Scotch whisky
Gangster stole one (8)
SCARFACE
Definition: Gangster SCARF + ACE. Scarface was a nickname of Al Capone
Cry as body of collier found in coalface? (6)
SCREAM
Definition: Cry C[ollie]R in SEAM (coalface). I'm not sure how "body" can mean the outer letters
A good sign for workers here (8)
APIARIES
Definition: workers here A + PI (pious, good) + ARIES (astrological sign); the workers are bees
Spot politician going into mansion (6)
PIMPLE
Definition: Spot MP in PILE
Bow tie mostly bent back before party: one might get fixed on entrance (10)
ARCHITRAVE
Definition: one might get fixed on entrance ARCH (bow) + reverse of TI[e] + RAVE (party)
Children's entertainer delivers party drink in these? (5,5)
PUNCH BOWLS
Definition: party drink in these PUNCH (as in Punch and Judy) + BOWLS (delivers, e.g. in cricket)
Give up drugs with cocaine cut (6)
ESCHEW
Definition: Give up ES (drugs) + C[ocaine] + HEW (cut)
Soldiers with blanket, asleep, essentially woken by this? (8)
REVEILLE
Definition: this RE (Royal Engineers, soldiers) + VEIL (blanket) + [as]LE[ep]
Rich one, Conservative joining club (6)
IRONIC
Definition: Rich IRON (golf club) + I + C; as in "that's a bit rich"
Troubles of computing stopping American businessman (8)
AGITATES
Definition: Troubles IT (Information Technology) in A[merican] + [Bill] GATES
Spread out blind to get through (6)
EFFUSE
Definition: Spread out EFF (as in effing and blinding) + USE (get through)
Grip hard racket the wrong way on advantage to American (8)
ADHESION
Definition: Grip AD (abbreviation for advantage in tennis scoring: not in Chambers) + H + reverse of NOISE (racket)
Financial relief is calculated to a limited degree (6)
FISCAL
Definition: Financial Hidden in relieF IS CALculated
Opening shot at the crease (4-2)
LEAD-IN
Definition: Opening LEAD (as in lead shot) + IN (batting, at the crease)
Wearing fashion to shop (6)
INFORM
Definition: to shop IN (wearing) FORM (to make, fashion): to shop someone is to inform on them to the police
Change in this cabinet: Heath upset (6-4)
LOCKER-ROOM
Definition: Change in this LOCKER (cabinet) + reverse of MOOR
Riders from celebrity on vacation: see notes (8)
CYCLISTS
Definition: Riders "Vacated" C[elebrit]Y + C (see) + LISTS (notes)
No Oscar for 1993 film featuring special actor … (8)
THESPIAN
Definition: actor S[pecial] in THE PIANO less O
… drunk actor with case of Moselle wine (8)
HAMMERED
Definition: drunk HAM (actor) + M[osell]E + RED
Liking small area at the front with parking (8)
APPETITE
Definition: Liking A[rea] + P[arking] + PETITE
Nick run down on vacation (5,3)
KNOCK OFF
Definition: Nick KNOCK (criticise, run down) + OFF (a more conventional meaning of "on vacation"). Nick and knock off are both slang for "steal"
Tricks from 6? Little deceit to trap husband (8)
WHEELIES
Definition: Tricks from 6 H in WEE LIES
Focus on going after foreign money (6)
CENTRE
Definition: Focus CENT + RE (about, on)
They're in behind tooth, primarily cutting gum with one (6)
GLUTEI
Definition: They're in behind T[ooth] in GLUE (gum) + I. The glutei are muscles in the buttocks or "behind"
Someone with a child (6)
PERSON
Definition: Someone PER (each, a, as in "ten a second") SON
Senior on back end of dinosaur in TV show (8)
DOCUSOAP
Definition: TV show The second half or "back end" of diploDOCUS + OAP (Old Age Pensioner)
Winners detailed in ancient city (6)
THEBES
Definition: ancient city THE BEST less its "tail"
Artist missing article in least satisfactory glossary (4,4)
WORD LIST
Definition: glossary [Salvador] DALI less A in WORST
Good to shave hairy back, twisted or plaited, initially (10)
DEPILATORY
Definition: Good to shave (OR PLAITED)* + [hair]Y
Just beaten — like apples? (6)
PIPPED
Definition: Just beaten Double definition
Headbutt PM in dark (3-5)
NUT-BROWN
Definition: dark NUT (to headbutt) + BROWN (Gordon B, former prime minister)
Leaders in race on Arctic trek caught by your old husky (7)
THROATY
Definition: husky First letters of Race On Arctic Trek in THY
Flipped ball catches me going the wrong way (4,3)
GONE MAD
Definition: Flipped Reverse of ME in GONAD (ball)
Waste container and lifting mechanism getting a nut turned round? (8)
SKIPJACK
Definition: a nut turned round SKIP (waste container) + JACK (lifting mechanism); "a nut turned round" gives tuna, of which SKIPJACK is a type, so more of a second bit of wordplay than a definition
Able to bounce back well, like billionaires? (6-6)
SPRING‑LOADED
Definition: Able to bounce back SPRING (well) + LOADED (very rich)
Back-stabbing braggart, son a sociopath controlling family (4,6)
COSA NOSTRA
Definition: controlling family Hidden in reverse of braggART SON A SOCiopath; Cosa Nostra is a name for the Sicilian Mafia
Goddess soon afterward in hospital department? (6)
ATHENE
Definition: Goddess THEN (soon after) in A&E
Rocked — Neptune's slayer, reportedly? (3-5)
SEE-SAWED
Definition: Rocked Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, so it's a homophone of SEA SWORD
Block of stone in coalpit oddly disappearing in a few weeks (8)
MONOLITH
Definition: Block of stone cOaLpIt with the odd letters removed, in MONTH (a few weeks)
Courtyard, where first of crew lost (4)
QUAD
Definition: Courtyard SQUAD (crew) minus its first letter
Weapon on fire, launched in fight (8)
STILETTO
Definition: Weapon LIT reversed (launched = "sent up") in SET TO
Certainly rare, yet tragic past (10)
YESTERYEAR
Definition: past YES (certainly) + (RARE YET)
Drink for a man? Relative of Isaac, say (6)
HEBREW
Definition: Relative of Isaac, say A drink for a man might be a he-brew. Isaac is the son of the Jewish patriarch Abraham in the book of Genesis
Competitor breaking record in mucky film? (4,6)
POOL PLAYER
Definition: Competitor breaking LP (record) in POO LAYER (a "mucky film"); breaking as in "breaking off" at the start of a game
Cloth wiping head from below before massaging under nipple (3,5)
TEA-TOWEL
Definition: Cloth TEAT (nipple) + anagram of [b]ELOW
Prayer used, gain converts (5,3)
AGNUS DEI
Definition: Prayer (USED GAIN)
Girl filling empty shoes, slippers? (6)
SKATES
Definition: slippers KATE in S[hoe]S
Tricky, describing wading bird? (6)
KNOTTY
Definition: Tricky Double definition; the knot is a kind of sandpiper
Just like that, a crimson rose (6)
SOARED
Definition: rose SO (just like that) + A RED
Possible killer on board, clue so hot? (4,6)
LEAD PIPING
Definition: Possible killer on board LEAD (clue) + PIPING (hot); lead piping is one of the murder weapons in the board game Cluedo
Behind so petite? Bum irrelevant (6,3,5)
BESIDE THE POINT
Definition: irrelevant (BEHIND SO PETITE)
Fellow leaves fruit (7)
MANGOES
Definition: fruit MAN + GOES
Range of colours spread round holiday home (7)
PALETTE
Definition: Range of colours LET (holiday home – rather loose, I think) in PATÉ (a spread)
Don't take away contents of meat can (3,2)
EAT IN
Definition: Don't take away The "contents" of mEAt + TIN (can)
Maintain flat surface not necessary (9)
AVERTABLE
Definition: not necessary AVER (to maintain) + TABLE
Stone found in remarkably robust planes (9)
TURBOJETS
Definition: planes JET (stone) in ROBUST
Run over (5)
EXTRA
Definition: Run Double defintiion: the "run" is in cricket, for a no-ball, wide etc
One with fixed views of large part of bible (5)
BIGOT
Definition: One with fixed views BIG O[ld] T[estament]
One uncommitted as the riot breaks out (9)
HESITATOR
Definition: One uncommitted (AS THE RIOT)
To be forced to feel was rational (4,5)
MADE SENSE
Definition: was rational MADE (forced) + SENSE (feel)
Scrap book missing second article (5)
ANNUL
Definition: Scrap ANNUAL less its second A (indefinite article)
Compels to cough up old wrongs (7)
EXTORTS
Definition: Compels to cough up EX (old) TORTS (civil wrongs)
Masters golf here as impressive adult (7)
AUGUSTA
Definition: Masters golf here AUGUST (impressive) + A[dult]; the US Masters is held in Augusta, Georgia
Play a hit, newsletter mis­represented (3,7,4)
THE WINTER’S TALE
Definition: Play (A HIT NEWSLETTER)
Unable to move in the dodgems? (6-2-6)
BUMPER‑TO‑BUMPER
Definition: Unable to move Bumper cars is an alternative name (mostly US I think) for dodgems
Legislator's appalling treason (7)
SENATOR
Definition: Legislator TREASON
Doctor accepts being dismissed, so stops being heard (6,3)
DROWNS OUT
Definition: stops being heard DR + OWNS (accepts) + OUT (dismissed)
Raced round Bath, say, more than necessary (2,5)
TO SPARE
Definition: more than necessary SPA (Bath is one) in TORE (raced)
Couch in train (7)
EXPRESS
Definition: Couch Double defintiion: couch is "to express ideas in language of a particular kind"