Clue
stringlengths 6
133
| Answer
stringlengths 3
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
888
|
|---|---|---|
Small drink obtained before a litre as full amount (5) | TOTAL | Definition: full amount
TOT(a small alcoholic drink) **plus**(obtained before) A + L(abbrev. for "litre"). |
One trailing first to last conversationalists (7) | TALKERS | Definition: conversationalists
STALKER(one trailing/shadowing stealthily) **with its 1st letter moved to the last position**(first to last). |
Now idle, adjusted to a spell in retirement? (3-4) | LIE-DOWN | Definition: a spell in retirement
**Anagram of**(…, adjusted) NOW IDLE. |
Subtle detail in French city today at the margins (6) | NICETY | Definition: Subtle detail
NICE(French city) + **1st and last letters of**(… at the margins) "today". |
Swimmer skirts river channel? (6) | TRENCH | Definition: channel
TENCH(a swimmer, specifically a European freshwater fish) **containing**(skirts) R(abbrev. for "river"). |
In other words, soldier over period accepting a right (10) | PARAPHRASE | Definition: In other words
PARA(short for "paratrooper", a soldier trained to parachute into operations) **placed above**(over, in a down clue) PHASE(a distinct period in a series of events) **containing**(accepting a) R(abbrev. for "right"). |
Dorothy hoards old record in storage site (5) | DEPOT | Definition: storage site
DOT(a diminutive for the name Dorothy) **containing**(hoards) EP(abbrev. for an extended play record, an old form of music recording). |
Preserve a form of service in honour of noted artist (9) | CANALETTO | Definition: noted artist
CAN(to preserve food in, well, a can) + LET(a form/sort of a tennis player's serve/service which is nullified and has to be retaken) + TO(in honour of, as in "the award was given to/in honour of …").
The Grand Canal by Canal…: |
Lieutenant, appearing about middle of film, has a pleasing accent (4) | LILT | Definition: a pleasing accent
LT(abbrev. for "lieutenant") **containing**(appearing about) **inner letters of**(middle of) "film". |
No amateur, Welsh footballer pockets first of bonuses? That's likely (8) | PROBABLE | Definition: likely
PRO(short for "professional", an expert and not an amateur) BALE(Gareth, Welsh football player) **containing**(pockets) **1st letter of**(first of) "bonuses". |
Telephone connection in US city on reflection is a joke! (3-5) | ONE-LINER | Definition: a joke
LINE(a telephone connection, as in "the line went dead in the middle of our conversation") **contained in**(in) **reversal of**(… on reflection) RENO(city in Nevada State, USA). |
Flip over comic performer given large reptile (4,6) | TURN TURTLE | Definition: Flip over
TURN(one who performs a short act as part of a variety show, say, a comedian) **plus**(given) TURTLE(a large reptile).
Literally … |
Crude lies about unorthodox set beginning to suffer (9) | TASTELESS | Definition: Crude
[ TALES(lies/untruths) **containing**(about) **anagram of**(unorthodox) SET ] + **1st letter of**(beginning to) "suffer". |
Pointer initially ignored by soldiers and worker? That's ill-mannered (8) | IGNORANT | Definition: ill-mannered
"sign"(a pointer/an indicator) **minus its 1st letter**(initially ignored) **plus**(by) OR(abbrev. for "other ranks", non-commissioned soldiers) **plus**(and) ANT(an example of which is the worker/one in the worker caste). |
Something that might be laid on two men in short showing bad faith (8) | BETRAYAL | Definition: bad faith
BET(something that might be laid/placed, as in "Lay your bets please .." at a casino table) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) RAY,AL(short forms for the two masculine names, Raymond and Alan, respectively). |
British trio's refurbished inexpensive eatery (6) | BISTRO | Definition: inexpensive eatery
**Anagram of**(… refurbished) [ B(abbrev. for "British") + TRIO'S]. |
Soviet leader left in sign of disgrace (6) | STALIN | Definition: Soviet leader
L(abbrev. for "left") **contained in**(in) STAIN(a sign of disgrace/a blot on someone's reputation). |
Perfect introduction by a croupier? (5) | IDEAL | Definition: Perfect
"I DEAL"(a croupier/one in charge of a gambling table who pays and collects money bets, might say this when introducing himself/herself). |
Attractive cruet set seen every now and again (4) | CUTE | Definition: Attractive
**1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th letters of**(… every now and again) "cruet set". |
Murder is detective's province (8) | DISPATCH | Definition: Murder
DI(abbrev. for "detective inspector")'S + PATCH(province/an area of one's interest or responsibility). |
Sailor has uniform tucked in and eyes front to show respect (6) | SALUTE | Definition: show respect
SALT(an informal term for a sailor) **containing**(has … tucked in) U(abbrev. for "uniform") **plus**(and) **1st letter of**(… front) "eyes". |
Stops lads eating junk and fries essentially (8) | STATIONS | Definition: Stops
SONS(form of address for "lads"/boys) **containing**(eating) TAT(junk/worthless items) **plus**(and) **middle letter of**(… essentially) "fries".
Defn: … along a railway line, say. |
Miss fellow cutting head in fall (6) | FUMBLE | Definition: Miss
F(abbrev. for "fellow") **replacing**(cutting) **1st letter of**(head in) "tumble"(fall/trip). |
Put down sandwich container and brewed tea (9) | SUBJUGATE | Definition: Put down
SUB(short for the North American "submarine sandwich"/one made of a long roll with filling) + JUG(a cylindrical container with a handle and a lip) **plus**(and) **anagram of**(brewed) TEA.
Defn: …/to dominate or control. |
Holy woman's heartily rejoicing, bearing suffering without complaint (5) | STOIC | Definition: bearing suffering without complaint
ST(abbrev. for "saint", a holy woman or man) + **middle 3 letters of**(heartily) "rejoicing". |
Talk with bowler perhaps, following century (4) | CHAT | Definition: Talk
HAT(an example of which is/perhaps a "bowler") **placed after**(following) C(abbrev. for "century"). |
One's cross, drawn into horseplay with practical jokers (7) | HOAXERS | Definition: practical jokers
[ A(one/single) + X(letter representing a cross/crucifix] **contained in**(drawn into) **anagram of**(…play) HORSE. |
Not knowing French, article's a struggle to penetrate (7) | UNAWARE | Definition: Not knowing
UNE(an article in French grammar) **containing**(… to penetrate) [A + WAR(a struggle/a conflict) ]. |
Sketched Doctor with bridge partners (4) | DREW | Definition: Sketched
DR(abbrev. for "doctor") **plus**(with) E,W(abbrev. for "East" and "West", respectively, representing partners in a bridge game). |
Get quietly drunk after parents finally divorce (5) | SPLIT | Definition: divorce
[ P(abbrev. for "piano", a musical direction to play softly/quietly) + LIT(drunk/intoxicated) ] **placed after**(after) **last letter of**(… finally) "parents".
Defn: …/to go separate ways. |
Photocopy amendment to procedure (9) | REPRODUCE | Definition: Photocopy
**Anagram of**(amendment to) PROCEDURE.
Defn: …/to use a photocopier. |
Collision has traffic, initially better on motorway, turned back (6) | IMPACT | Definition: Collision
**Reversal of**(…, turned back) [ **1st letter of**(traffic, initially) "" + CAP(to better/to outdo) **plus**(on) MI(the English motorway, M1 with the Roman numeral substitution) ]. |
Boot gang off sledge (8) | TOBOGGAN | Definition: sledge
**Anagram of**(… off) BOOT GANG. |
Agreed to recycle odds and ends sons left out (6) | NODDED | Definition: Agreed to
**Anagram of**(recycle) [ "odds" **plus**(and) "ends" **minus**(… left out) **2 x** "s"(plural of abbrev. of "son") ]. |
Intellectual from CERN abridged book, cutting real analysis (8) | CEREBRAL | Definition: Intellectual
"CERN" **minus ****its last letter**(abridged) + [ B(abbrev. for "book") **contained in**(cutting) **anagram of**(… analysis) REAL]. |
Stop taking sides, recklessly heading for trouble (6) | DESIST | Definition: Stop
**Anagram of**(…, recklessly) SIDES + **1st letter of**(heading for) "trouble". |
Embarrassed sailor boy coming aboard scruffy (6) | SHABBY | Definition: scruffy
SHY(embarrassed/self-conscious) **containing**(… coming aboard) [ AB(abbrev. for "able-bodied seaman", a sailor) + B(abbrev. for "boy" – as in combinations like "bf") ]. |
See you in France – you said to follow crazy idea! (5) | ADIEU | Definition: See you
**Homophone of**(… said) "you" **placed below**(to follow, in a down clue) **anagram of**(crazy) IDEA. |
Approach prisoner with discretion (7) | CONTACT | Definition: Approach
CON(short for "convict"/a prisoner) **plus**(with) TACT(discretion/sensitivity dealing with matters).
Defn: …/to initiate communication with. |
Something only a fool would do, like admitting fix over match (1,4,4) | A MUG’S GAME | Definition: Something only a fool would do
[ AS(like/highlighting similarity) **containing**(admitting) **reversal of**(… over) GUM(to fix/to attach with glue) ] + GAME(a competitive match). |
Entire organisation's bankrupt by November (8) | UNBROKEN | Definition: Entire
UN(abbrev. for the United Nations Organisation) + BROKE(bankrupt/having completely run out of money) **plus**(by) N(letter represented by "November" in the phonetic alphabet). |
Use drill (8) | EXERCISE | Definition: Use,drill
Double defn: 1st: …, as in to "to exercise your authority"; and 2nd: Say, a military drill or training manoeuvre. |
Knit up edge round top of sweater (4) | MESH | Definition: Knit
**Reversal of**(up, in a down clue) HEM(an edge/a rim) **containing**(round) **1st letter of**(top of) "sweater". |
Try and teach relaxation for pain (9) | HEARTACHE | Definition: pain
HEAR(to try in a court of law) **plus**(and) **anagram of**(… relaxation) TEACH. |
Problem with mission no-one raised (8) | QUESTION | Definition: Problem
QUEST(a mission/a search for) + **reversal of**(… raised, in a down clue) [NO + I(Roman numeral for "one") ].
Defn: …/a matter requiring resolution/an issue. |
Dashed good work everyone put in on education (8) | GALLOPED | Definition: Dashed
[ G(abbrev. for "good") + [OP(abbrev. for "opus", a major piece of literary or musical work) ] **containing**(… put in) ALL(everyone) **placed above**(on, in a down clue) ED(abbrev. for "education"). |
Regret turning up with zero cash abroad (4) | EURO | Definition: cash abroad
**Reversal of**(… turning up) RUE(to regret/to feel sorry about) **plus**(with) O(letter representing 0/zero).
Defn: … if you're outside the eurozone. |
Record in old collection has soldiers' lament (7) | DEPLORE | Definition: lament
EP(abbrev. for "extended play", a form of music recording formerly, as opposed to the single or the longplay) **contained in**(in) **anagram of**(… collection) OLD **plus**(has) RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers, a unit of soldiers in the British military).
Defn: …/to express extreme disappointment or disapproval about something. |
Old Queen caught posh gal acting common (6) | VULGAR | Definition: common
VR(abbrev. for "Victoria Regina", a former/old Queen of the UK) **containing**(caught) [ U(letter denoting posh/upper class) + **anagram of**(… acting) GAL]. |
Vegetable from marsh eaten primarily in the Netherlands (6) | FENNEL | Definition: Vegetable
FEN(a marsh/a low-lying area, often flooded) + [ **1st letter of**(… primarily) "eaten" **contained in**(in) NL(ISO code for the Netherlands) ].
The bulb: … and the flowers: |
Old quarter has a bit of atmosphere (5) | OZONE | Definition: a bit of atmosphere
O(abbrev. for "old") + ZONE(a quarter/a region).
Defn: …/in very small concentration, a constituent of the earth's atmosphere. |
Rabbi's love for one prepared to learn (6) | ABSORB | Definition: learn
**Anagram of**(… prepared) [ "Rabbi's" **with** O(letter representing 0/"love" in tennis scores) **replacing**(for) "I"(Roman numeral for "one") ].
Defn: …/to take in and understand. |
Can drinking whiskey after French garlic ultimately yield gust from behind? (8) | TAILWIND | Definition: gust from behind
TIN(a metal can/cylindrical container) **containing**(drinking) [ W(letter represented by "whiskey" in the phonetic alphabet) **placed after**(after) AIL(French for "garlic") ] + **last letter of**(ultimately) "yield". |
City traveller must circumnavigate to get back (7) | RECOVER | Definition: get back
EC(the London postcode area which includes almost all of the City of London) **contained in**(… must circumnavigate) ROVER(a traveller/a wanderer). |
A gold plate conducting current with variable physical property (7) | AGILITY | Definition: physical property
A + GILT(a gold plating/gold paint applied in a thin layer to a surface) **containing**(conducting) I(symbol for electric current in physics) **plus**(with) Y(in mathematics, a symbol for a quantity which can vary).
Defn: …, specifically the ability to physically move quickly and easily. |
Death's edge about to slice one looking stunned (4,6) | GRIM REAPER | Definition: Death
[ RIM(an edge/boundary) + RE(with reference to/about) ] **contained in**(to slice) GAPER(one who is gaping/looking stunned, staring with mouth open wide in shock). |
Inappropriate looking dance, in retrospect (4) | LEER | Definition: Inappropriate looking
**Reversal of**(…, in retrospect) REEL(a lively Scottish or Irish folk dance). |
Hotel program reader's to receive hot drink now at a discount (5,4) | HAPPY HOUR | Definition: drink now at a discount
H(letter represented by "hotel" in the phonetic alphabet) + APP(an application/a program or piece of software designed for a specific purpose) + YOUR(in grammar, the second person possessive pronoun/reader's, with the reader as the second person, and the setter being the first person) **containing**(to receive) H(abbrev. for "hot").
Defn: A period in the day when one can drink at discounted prices in a bar, say. And happy hour can last more than 60 minutes. |
Run boat's propeller and make a din (4) | ROAR | Definition: din
R(abbrev. for "run" in cricket scores) + OAR(boat's propeller/a pole used to propel a rowboat). |
Hide in Magaluf with Eco novel (10) | CAMOUFLAGE | Definition: Hide
**Anagram of**(… novel) [ MAGALUF **plus**(with) ECO].
Defn: To … by blending in with one's environment.
… hidden in plain sight. |
Newton with true confusion concerning particle (7) | NEUTRON | Definition: particle
N(abbrev. for the Newton, the unit of force in physics) **plus**(with) **anagram of**(… confusion) TRUE + ON(concerning/about).
Defn: …, part of an atom. |
Plain, quiet, less stuffy royal brought to the fore (7) | PRAIRIE | Definition: Plain
P(abbrev. for "piano", the musical direction to play softly/quietly) + [ AIRIER(less stuffy/with more air circulating) **with** "R"(abbrev. for "Royal") **moved from last to first position in the word**(brought to the fore) ]. |
Fearless journalist to trade leaders show restraint (4,4) | HOLD BACK | Definition: show restraint
BOLD(fearless/brave) + HACK(a journalist producing dull, unoriginal work) **with ****1st letters, respectively, changing places**(to trade leaders).
Aka a Spoonerism. |
Briefly put off by court notice (6) | DETECT | "deter"(to put off/discourage) **minus ****its last letter**(Briefly …) **plus**(by) CT(abbrev. for "court"). |
Shower naked, holding cloth (7) | BARRAGE | Definition: Shower
BARE(naked/without covering) **containing**(holding) RAG(a piece of old cloth). |
Mental image interrupted by extremely sexy companion (7) | PSYCHIC | Definition: Mental
PIC(short for "picture"/an image) **containing**(interrupted by) [ **1st and last letters of**(extremely) "sexy" + CH(abbrev. for Companion of Honour, a British Commonwealth honour) ].
Defn: …/relating to the mind. |
Article about unknown American soldiers by the cut-off Israeli city (8) | NAZARETH | Definition: Israeli city
**Reversal of**(… about) AN(an article in English grammar) + Z(in mathematics, an unknown variable) + A(abbrev. for "American") + RE(abbrev. for the Royal Engineers, a unit of soldiers in the British Army) **plus**(by) "the" **minus its last letter**(cut-off). |
Hit at random, unfortunately I fall (5) | FLAIL | Definition: Hit at random
**Anagram of**(unfortunately) I FALL. |
Minister starts to embarrass Rishi Sunak with a large U-turn? (8) | REVERSAL | Definition: U-turn
REV(short for "Reverend", title for a minister/a member of the clergy) + **1st letters, respectively, of**(starts to) "embarrass Rishi Sunak" **plus**(with) A + L(abbrev. for "large").
A comment on current British politics? |
Writer's covering President endlessly, as before (6) | IBIDEM | Definition: as before
I'M("I am"/contraction of "writer is", with the writer self-referentially using the first person pronoun) **containing**(covering) "Biden"(currently President of the USA) ***minus its last letter***(endlessly).
Defn: …/in the same place, in Latin. |
Appliances from Q's successor in antithesis of Bond film? (6) | DRYERS | Definition: Appliances
R(Q's successor/letter after Q in the English alphabet) **contained in**(in) DR. YES(what you may term as an antithesis of "Dr. No", a James Bond film).
And, of course, Q was the code name of the character that supplied hi-tech appliances to James Bond. |
Manure always contains organic compound (4) | UREA | Definition: organic compound
**Hidden in**(… contains) "Manure always". |
Allow doing away with European era voting rights (8) | SUFFRAGE | Definition: voting rights
"suffer"(to allow/to tolerate) **minus**(doing away with) "e"(abbrev. for "European") + AGE(an era/a distinctive long period of time).
… suffering for suffrage. |
Don't be cruel talking about flavourless dessert (4,4) | PLAY NICE | Definition: Don't be cruel
**Homophone of**(talking about) "plain"(flavourless/bland) "ice"(short for "ice cream", a dessert). |
Noisily eat cold late morning meal without starter (6) | CRUNCH | Definition: Noisily eat
C(abbrev. for "cold") + "brunch"(late morning meal, between the usual breakfast and lunch times) **minus ****its 1st letter**(without starter). |
Muse vaguely about a liberal prophet (6) | SAMUEL | Definition: prophet
**Anagram of**(… vaguely) MUSE **containing**(about) A + L(abbrev. for a Liberal, a member of the Liberal Party). |
Obstacle arranged to block coffin bearer (7) | BARRIER | Definition: Obstacle
ARR(abbrev. for "arranged") **contained in**(to block) BIER(a moveable frame on which a coffin is placed prior burial or cremation). |
Nothing to support idea propagated by books and film (7) | MEMENTO | Definition: film
O(letter representing 0/nothing) **placed below**(to support, in a down clue) [ MEME(an idea that spreads within a culture by imitation) **plus**(by) NT(abbrev. for the New Testament, a collection of books in the Bible) ].
Defn: A 2000 mystery thriller …. |
Performing twice in Tosca is stimulating for a soloist? (9) | ONANISTIC | Definition: stimulating for a soloist
**Anagram of**(Performing) [ **2 x**(twice) IN + TOSCA ].
As Woody Allen said, "… It's having sex with someone I love." And maybe also: "Having sex is like bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand." |
Refurbished loo contains very old moulding (5) | OVOLO | Definition: moulding
**Anagram of**(Refurbished) LOO **containing**(contains) [ V(abbrev. for "very") + O(abbrev. for "old") ]. |
Demanding person from Oldham needing a break? (7) | EXACTOR | Definition: Demanding person
**Separating** "Oldham" **into 2**(needing a break): EX-(abbrev. for "old") ACTOR("ham" being one who acts badly and exaggeratedly). |
African fish's name maybe grasped by sailors (7) | RWANDAN | Definition: African
WANDA("fish's name maybe", as in "A Fish Called Wanda", a 1988 film) **contained in**(grasped by) RN(abbrev. for the Royal Navy, the British military branch consisting of sailors).
Defn: … from Rwanda. |
Conservative going kind of pink, concerned with speech (4) | ORAL | Definition: concerned with speech
C(abbrev. for a member of the Conservative Party) **deleted from**(going) "coral"(a shade/kind of pink colour). |
Person grilling odd sandwiches is not out to lunch (10) | QUESTIONER | Definition: Person grilling
QUEER(odd/strange) **containing**(sandwiches) **anagram of**(out to lunch /not in command of one's mental faculties) IS NOT.
Defn: …, ie. one who interrogates. |
What reprobates do after some tobacco's in pocket (5,2) | QUIDS IN | Definition: in pocket
SIN(be immoral/what reprobates do) **placed after**(after) QUID(a lump of/some chewing tobacco).
Defn: …/having money to spare, or more than one expected. |
Boxing a long time, clobber despicable people (7) | TOERAGS | Definition: despicable people
ERA(a long time period) **contained in**(Boxing a …,…) TOGS(clothes/clobber). |
Establishing distance from two directions before time rambling (10) | ESTRANGING | Definition: Establishing distance from
E,S(abbrev. for two directions, east and south respectively) **plus**(before) T(abbrev. "time") + RANGING(rambling/spreading in different directions).
Defn: …/causing to be no longer be friendly terms/to be distant. |
Cash returns for Jack, say (4) | TOOL | Definition: Jack, say
**Reversal of**(… returns) LOOT(slang for cash/money).
Defn: An example of which/say, is what you use to jack up/lift heavy articles, eg. your car. |
Invest and invest, investing reserve (5-2) | STAND-IN | Definition: reserve
**Hidden in**(…, investing) "Invest and invest".
Defn: …/a substitute. |
Liking less parking in transport (7) | ENCHANT | Definition: transport
"penchant"(a liking/an inclination to) **minus**(less) "p"(abbrev. for "parking").
Defn: …/to enrapture. |
Plain Welsh seaside resort, no dud (5) | LLANO | Definition: Plain
"Llandudno"(a seaside resort in Wales) **minus**(no) "dud".
There's one "n" too many in the wordplay.
Defn: … in South America. And "llanno" is not an alternative spelling. |
Screen star in a period of abstention cutting alcohol (9) | VALENTINO | Definition: Screen star
[A + LENT(a period of abstention for Christians) ] **contained in**(cutting) VINO(alcohol, specifically, wine).
Answer: Rudolph, the screen star in silent films.
The Latin Lover: |
Passion dominates game, we hear, in pointless tennis position (4,8,3) | LOVE CONQUERS ALL | Definition: Passion dominates
[ LOVE ALL](the score/position in a tennis match when neither side has scored a point/is pointless) **containing**(…, in …) **homophone of**(…, we hear) "conkers"(a children's game played with conkers, nuts of the horse chestnut tree). |
Spy Indian princess rejecting article without thanks (4,4) | MATA HARI | Definition: Spy
"maharani"(an Indian ruling princess) **minus**(rejecting) "an"(article in grammar) **containing**(without) TA(short for thank you/thanks).
Defn: Dutch exotic dancer who was also a spy for Germany during World War I. |
One showing Mary pastry case from trattoria (5) | PIETA | Definition: One showing Mary
PIE(pastry/a dish with a base of pastry) + **1st and last letters of**(case from) "trattoria".
Defn: …, viz. an Italian Renaissance sculpture. |
Opener gets run out in captivating draw (4,4) | STAR TURN | Definition: captivating draw
START(the opener/the first of a series) **plus**(gets) **anagram of**(… out) RUN.
Defn: …/one who is interesting and brings in/draws the crowd to a performance. |
Many runs perhaps in Twenty20? (6) | SCORES | Definition: Many runs perhaps
SCORES(Twenty and 20), Twenty20 being a format of cricket, in which, of course, runs are scored. |
Shrewder retaining ball, male player (9) | WOMANISER | Definition: player
WISER(shrewder/smarter) **containing**(retaining) [ O(letter shaped like a ball) + MAN(a male) ].
Defn: …/a male who plays the field and has many sexual partners. |
Thoroughly soppy git by place of retreat (6) | SODDEN | Definition: Thoroughly soppy
SOD(a git/a unpleasant man) **plus**(by) DEN(a place of retreat/a room to relax in).
Defn: …/saturated with too much liquid. |
Blunt answer's received about legislative measure (5,10) | JOINT RESOLUTION | Definition: legislative measure
[ JOINT(slang for a cannabis cigarette, like a blunt which is an amount of cannabis rolled with cigar wrapping) + SOLUTION(answer to a problem) ] **containing**(received) RE(with reference to/about).
Defn: … in the US Congress. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.