Clue
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| Answer
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46
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stringlengths 5
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|---|---|---|
Know lettings house a fly-by-night (5) | OWLET | Definition: a fly-by-night
Hidden in knOW LETtings, and a mildly cryptic definition of the nocturnal bird |
Model I stick up? No way (3,1,3) | NOT A BIT | Definition: No way
Reverse of T (model, as in the Ford car) + I + BATON |
Films may be on this amnesty (7,7) | GENERAL RELEASE | Definition: Films may be on this
Double defintiion |
Drives away from eastern mountains, finding way through (9) | ESTRANGES | Definition: Drives away
ST (street, way) in E RANGES |
Share game with continental (2,5) | GO DUTCH | Definition: Share
GO (board game) + DUTCH (European, continental) |
Factory worker taking boy for such practical experience (5-2) | HANDS-ON | Definition: such practical experience
HAND + SON |
Notice youngster at wedding making escape (7) | SEEPAGE | Definition: escape
SEE + PAGE (a child at a wedding might be on) |
Country where one is raised tucking into fish (7) | TUNISIA | Definition: Country
I + reverse of IS in TUNA |
Mouse-like creature playfully tamed? (5) | SHREW | Definition: Mouse-like creature
Cryptic reference to *The Taming of the Shrew |
Support police trap involving yarn or treacherous activity (12) | BACKSTABBING | Definition: treacherous activity
BACK (support) + ABB (yarn) in STING (~~device used by police to stop cars~~ police operation) |
SE European as is common having leader replaced by British (6) | BULGAR | Definition: SE European
VULGAR with its first letter replaced by B |
Floral decoration in pub a lout knocked over (7) | BARBOLA | Definition: Floral decoration
BAR (pub) + reverse of A LOB |
Work in tea cropping advanced plantation (4) | TOPE | Definition: plantation
OP in TEA less A |
Fashionable, arty works – one receives mail arriving first (6) | IN-TRAY | Definition: one receives mail arriving first
IN + ARTY |
The old get anxious, it being missing from motorist's tools? (4) | CARK | Definition: The old get anxious
CAR KIT less IT |
Poet's train is led astray about opening of poem (6) | DISPLE | Definition: Poet's train
P in (IS LED)* – Spenserian word for "to discipline [presumably related], chastise", which I suppose is a kind of training.. |
Botanist examines it minutely – dog romps excitedly round it locally (9) | SPODOGRAM | Definition: Botanist examines it minutely
A (dialect "it") in (DOG ROMPS) |
Dreary pedant – one confined to study's working after small dram (9) | DRYASDUST | Definition: Dreary pedant
DR[am] + A in STUDYS* – Dryasdust is "an imaginary and tediously thorough literary authority cited by Sir Walter Scott" (not, as I guessed, from *Pilgrim's Progress* or Dickens or some such) |
One of the anglers upright on sides of Dee (6) | RODMAN | Definition: One of the anglers
D (dee) with in ROMAN (upright type, as opposed to italic) around its "sides" – I was thinking "sides" was a typo for "side", but I think the explanation I give is better |
Stump made of different metals (4) | SNAG | Definition: Stump
SN (tin) + AG (silver) – perhaps rather vague when there are so many metals to choose from, and the definition isn't much help (at least to me), so you can only guess it from the crossing letters and work backwards |
With lack of good evidence thus lots're set free – as true felons? (6) | UNSAFE | Definition: With lack of good evidence
Composite anagram: (AS TRUE FELONS)* = UNSAGE + LOTS'RE – as in an "unsafe conviction" |
Means to drain measure of port? (4) | PIPE | Definition: Means to drain
Double definition |
Lichen yielding dye? Cut the lot back (7) | PARELLA | Lichen yielding dye? Cut the lot back (7)
PARE (cut) + reverse of ALL (the lot) |
Cooking oil, one contained in nut tree (6) | CANOLA | Definition: Cooking oil
AN in COLA |
Feature of coastline where imp goes ford seashell? (5) | INLET | Definition: Feature of coastline
The letters "imp" go IN LET to give "limpet" |
Mothers etc with yen twice suffering what no husbands can undergo (12) | HYSTERECTOMY | Definition: what no husbands can undergo
(MOTHERS ETC Y Y) |
Marmot that's died in overturned old carriage (5) | BOBAC | Definition: Marmot
OB (died) in reverse of CAB |
Motor vehicle on old track, a passable country lane? (8) | CART-ROAD | Definition: a passable country lane
CAR + TROAD |
Togs changed when operation's involved? Such a policy varies a lot (6) | STOP-GO | Definition: Such a policy varies a lot
OP in TOGS |
Poet's ultimate rule with poem penning – does it facilitate meeting of minds? (7) | TELERGY | Definition: does it facilitate meeting of minds
[poe]T + R in ELEGY |
Indian merchant? One favoured tree climbing (6) | BUNNIA | Definition: Indian merchant
Reverse of A IN (popular, favoured) NUB (gallows, "tree") |
Spots weak points in book – plenty (5) | BLOTS | Definition: Spots
B + LOTS |
Sung prince, I succeed king (4) | IGOR | Definition: Sung prince
I GO R – from Borodin's opera *Prince Igor |
Former monarch watches tons, duller than the rest (7) | GREYEST | Definition: duller than the rest
GR (King George, take your pick from any of I to VI) + EYES + T[ons] |
Papa, on hair appearing in a new way: 'It's a sign of puberty'? (10) | PARAPHONIA | Definition: It's a sign of puberty
(PAPA ON HAIR) |
A friend, one left out before dark? That can be explained (10) | ANALYSABLE | Definition: That can be explained
AN ALLY less one L + SABLE (black, dark) |
Material for milady's shoes, range in hide once old (8) | PRUNELLO | Definition: Material for milady's shoes
RUN (range) in PELL (obs. word for skin or hide, related to "pelt") + O. Variant form of "prunella" – "a strong silk or woollen material formerly used for .. women's shoes" |
Crush, constant with race getting into school (7) | SCRUNCH | Definition: Crush
C + RUN (again!) in SCH |
Storm: what'll one do about damaged map? (7) | RAMPAGE | Definition: Storm
MAP* in RAGE (what storms do) |
Sound of guns, worrying rattle one with frequency apprehended (6) | RAFALE | Definition: Sound of guns
A F in RALE |
Curve like this limits rising rent (6) | SPIRIC | Definition: Curve
Reverse of RIP (rent) in SIC |
Rock resident, ancient character brought up on principle of thrift (5) | MAGOT | Definition: Rock resident
Reverse of OGAM (Pictish/Celtic character) + T[hrift]. I briefly, though implausibly, suspected Azed of confusing "principle" and "principal", but Chambers gives "a source, root, origin" as its first definition of the former |
Lecherous attempt aiming for lady's rear (5) | GOATY | Definition: Lecherous
GO (attempt) + AT (aiming for) + [LAD]Y |
Indicating a complete lack of hospitals (4) | SANS | Definition: Indicating a complete lack of
Double definition |
Poor Joe B getting totally disheartened? Admiration often expressed for his opponent (2,5,1,5,3) | I’M DOING A GREAT JOB | Definition: often expressed for his opponent
Anagram of JOE B G[ettin]G ADMIRATION. Often expressed *by* his opponent, surely, though of course, as in most cases, it's about himself. This was almost my last one in, perhaps because there's such a large collection of idiotic Trumpisms to choose from |
Intelligence but not at the top? (7) | LOWDOWN | Definition: Intelligence
Double/cryptic definition |
Government policy co-ordinator that's arguably not all there (4) | TSAR | Definition: Government policy co-ordinator
Hidden in thaT'S ARguably – as in "drugs tsar" and similar titles |
Taking unrealistic view of claims by agent and Adele? (10) | IDEALISING | Definition: Taking unrealistic view
The agent might say I DEAL and Adele I SING |
Scares female away, which one's entitled to (6) | RIGHTS | Definition: which one's entitled to
FRIGHTS less F |
Elected idiot state's accommodated — there's no sense in it (8) | INSANITY | Definition: there's no sense in it
IN (elected) + NIT (idiot) in SAY (state) |
Pained by return of crazy government? (5) | STUNG | Definition: Pained
Reverse of NUTS + G |
The last time doctor's coming round (5) | OMEGA | Definition: The last
Reverse of AGE M.O. |
Soldier's new bride touring capital (9) | BRIGADIER | Definition: Soldier
RIGA in BRIDE |
Where you learn fellow in charge intended to be taken seriously (8) | UNIRONIC | Definition: intended to be taken seriously
UNI[versity] + RON (man's name) + I.C. |
Married before the end of three months — she's in the club (6) | MEMBER | Definition: she's in the club
M[arried] + EMBER (ending of Sept, Nov and Dec) |
Could be Chinese food mainly at the back (3,7) | FAR EASTERN | Definition: Could be Chinese
FARE (food) + ASTERN (at the back of a ship, hence "mainly"= at sea) |
Lamented ignorant broadcast? (4) | RUED | Definition: Lamented
Homophone of "rude" |
Carry On Priests? Unlikely (7) | PERSIST | Definition: Carry On
PRIESTS |
Quarantine on island long overdue (7) | ISOLATE | Definition: Quarantine
I[sland] + SO LATE, with "Quarantine" as a verb for the definition |
Is to talk to police after money's disappeared (7) | MISSING | Definition: disappeared
M[oney] + IS + SING (talk to police, e.g. to betray an accomplice) |
Wealthy American's brother keeping silent in turn (5) | OPRAH | Definition: Wealthy American
Reverse of HARPO (who was silent in the Marx Brothers' films). Oprah Winfrey's wealth is close to $3 billion |
Punch American — listen to riot outside (7) | NAILSET | Definition: Punch
A[merican] in LISTEN |
Looking intelligent, like a Member of Parliament? (6) | OWLISH | Definition: Looking intelligent
Double definition, referring to the collective term "a parliament of owls" |
Having division speak badly of West Ham? (9) | DISUNITED | Definition: Having division
DIS (speak badly of) UNITED (West Ham United, football team) |
Inspirational leader isn't now failing … (7) | WINSTON | Definition: Inspirational leader
(ISN'T NOW) |
… in short, that is correct — I'm as dynamic as the very best governments? (13) | MERITOCRACIES | Definition: the very best governments
Anagram of I.E. (short for "that is") + CORRECT + I'M AS. Is meritocracy the best form of government? Discuss.. *See comments: meritocracy is "government by the very best" |
School agree head's showing great enthusiasm (9) | EAGERNESS | Definition: great enthusiasm
Anagram ("school") of AGREE + NESS (headland) |
What gives couple authority? (7) | MANDATE | Definition: authority
A couple might consist of a MAN and his DATE. *See comments: a better parsing is that M AND ATE gives "mate", or couple |
Boyish young ladies wearing sports skirts (7) | GAMINES | Definition: Boyish young ladies
IN (wearing) "skirted by" GAMES |
Huge rear — about to slip into underwear, the biggest of its kind (7) | EVEREST | Definition: the biggest of its kind
[hug]E + RE (about) in VEST |
Carol uplifted by one's spiritual awareness? (6) | GNOSIS | Definition: spiritual awareness
Reverse of SONG (carol) + I'S |
Man's timeless lesson (5) | MORAL | Definition: lesson
MORTAL less T |
Change colour visibly from goitre — pain throbbing (7) | REPAINT | Definition: Change colour visibly
Hidden in goitRE PAIN Throbbing |
Tramps given clothes — about time (7) | TOERAGS | Definition: Tramps
ERA (time) in TOGS (clothes) |
This is reality: being ruthless to make time (5) | TRUTH | Definition: reality
If you remove RUTH from TRUTH you get T = time |
Composer working in orchestral movies cut lavish set pieces (9) | MORRICONE | Definition: Composer
Anagram of IN ORCHESTRAL MOVIES less ("cut") the letters of LAVISH SET. Ennio Morricone composed scores for many films, notably *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*; he died last month |
Note what 10, 13 and 22 did: restored calm (10) | RECOMPOSED | Definition: restored calm
RE (note, as in do re mi) + COMPOSED. As the clues referred to all contain the word "composer" this was easy to solve first |
Boatman goes on south to get sun? (4) | STAR | Definition: sun
S + TAR (sailor, boatman) |
Boatman taken in, new to love and so on — about time (4,3,4) | NONE TOO SOON | Definition: about time
ONE (I, referring to the setter) in N[ew] TO O + SO ON |
Not really at all queer, I figure that's the same on all sides (11) | EQUILATERAL | Definition: figure that's the same on all sides
(AT ALL QUEER I) |
Yearn for sleep? About time (4) | PANT | Definition: Yearn
Reverse of NAP + T |
Composer of music and player of it: so damn wild (4,6) | FATS DOMINO | Definition: Composer of music and player
(OF IT SO DAMN) |
Part of tent peg and rod lie around (5,4) | RIDGE POLE | Definition: Part of tent
(PEG ROD LIE) |
Declare time to head off (5) | AVERT | Definition: to head off
AVER (declare) + T |
Liberal, easy, not into enforcing norms toward beginners (7) | LENIENT | Definition: Liberal, easy, not into enforcing norms toward beginners
Initial letters &lit |
Unruly girl, out of time: liability inside bar, British (7) | LADETTE | Definition: Unruly girl
DEBT (liability) less ("bar") B in LATE (out of time) |
About time, vessel determines to go back (6) | RETURN | Definition: to go back
RE + T + URN |
At no time taken in by blow to belly (6) | PAUNCH | Definition: belly
AT less T in PUNCH (blow) |
Cruelly using Indian's skin over colour, chiefly, they say (10) | INHUMANELY | Definition: Cruelly
The "skin" of I[ndia]N + ~~HU[e] ("chiefly" meaning "most of..") + homophone of "mainly"~~ *simpler than that – homophone of "hue mainly" |
Work fulfilled? About time (5) | TEMPO | Definition: time
Reverse of OP MET |
Scourge of people between rock and hard place (9) | TORMENTOR | Definition: Scourge
MEN between two occurrences of TOR, which has the two (rather similar) meanings of "rock" and "hard place" (Chambers gives "a hill, a rocky height") |
Throw out — time's up (4) | EMIT | Definition: Throw out
Reverse of TIME |
Acceptance of taking our time over choice (8) | ADOPTION | Definition: Acceptance
AD (Anno Domini, "our time", i.e. the era we live in) + OPTION (choice) |
For poet, at no time stopping chorus of contempt (8) | SNEERING | Definition: contempt
NE'ER (poetic "never") in SING (to chorus) |
Composer of old, once with movement about conflict (4,6) | NOEL COWARD | Definition: Composer
WAR (conflict) in (OLD ONCE) |
Besotted with clue to stun (4,5) | NUTS ABOUT | Definition: Besotted with
NUTS ABOUT (i.e. reverse NUTS) could be a clue to STUN |
Johnson returns with nothing in bungled alert — about time (8) | TEMPORAL | Definition: about time
Reverse of PM + O in ALERT |
Retired at fun run — lead didn't cut the odds (6,2) | TURNED IN | Definition: Retired
Even letters (i.e. we "cut the odds") of aT fUn RuN lEaD dIdN't |
Terrible about time, to be frank (6) | DIRECT | Definition: frank
DIRE (terrible) + C (circa, about) + T |
Centrally imposed overtime, holder of innumerable letters — one's job (6) | POSTIE | Definition: letters — one's job
Central letters imPOSed + T (taking "overtime" as "over time") + the outer letters or "holder" of I[nnumerabl]E ~~, with an &littish definition~~ *Thanks to Lord Jim for clarifying the definition |
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