Clue
stringlengths
7
155
Answer
stringlengths
0
46
Explanation
stringlengths
5
990
Silent after vacation with a very loud man (5)
STAFF
Definition: man SilenT "vacated" + FF (very loud), with staff=man as verbs
Fed gossip about rejected column — it's possibly forged? (9)
METALWORK
Definition: it's possibly forged ME (Fed, the setter) + reverse of ROW (column – spreadsheet users might query this) in TALK
Soften bulletin describing support from the east (7)
SWEETEN
Definition: Soften Reverse of TEE (support) in NEWS
One's learned Queen must replace one American lady-in-waiting, for example (7)
SERVANT
Definition: lady-in-waiting, for example SAVANT with the first A[merican] replaced by ER
One might seek comfort in this tranquil church song (4,5)
EASY CHAIR
Definition: One might seek comfort in this EASY (tranquil) + CH + AIR
Publishing company with marketing men supporting single out on the radio (7)
PICADOR
Definition: Publishing company PIC (homophone of "pick" or "single out") + AD (marketing) + OR (Other Ranks, men)
Ultimately, he saw the deal — Jack is first, possibly a diamond (5)
JEWEL
Definition: possibly a diamond J[ack] + last letters of hE saW thE deaL
Second service goes over net to get game (5,4)
MOUSE TRAP
Definition: game MO (instant, second) + USE (service) + TRAP (net) – I was rather surprised to see that the famous board game is actually written as two words
Sample pitted fruit — it's dull (6)
SEDATE
Definition: dull S[ampl]E + DATE
Praise whenever I'm darning trousers in recession (6)
ADMIRE
Definition: Praise Hidden (trousered) in reverse of whenevER I'M DArning
Crop cutter against visiting hospital department for period of recovery (4,5)
SICK LEAVE
Definition: period of recovery SICKLE (crop cutter) + V (versus, against) in A[&]E
Irregular and liberal — mostly irregular and liberal (9)
GUERRILLA
Definition: Irregular Anagram of IRREGULA[r] + L[iberal]
Content to thank Fed for word game (7)
HANGMAN
Definition: word game [t]HAN[k] + G-MAN (Federal Agent)
Formula One is in Monaco on a holiday (6)
FIESTA
Definition: holiday F1 + EST (French "is") + A
Rent kit out — it's of little value (7)
TRINKET
Definition: it's of little value (RENT KIT)
Unaltered under street arrest (6)
STASIS
Definition: arrest ST + AS IS (unaltered)
Makeover with scope for sex change (5)
REFIT
Definition: Makeover REMIT with the "sex-change" of M to F
Family get together with boat for a base at last — but it can crash (5,6)
STOCK MARKET
Definition: it can crash STOCK (family) + MEET (get together) with the first E (e, Euler's number, the base of natural logarithms) replaced by ARK (boat) *I've overthought this – as Fed himself explains in the comments. the E is from "basE at last"
To survive on regular contrib­utions, it's problematic (7)
SUBSIST
Definition: To survive SUBS (subscriptions, regular contrib­utions) + ITS
Flies in the face of danger, one party's leader: that's final, period (7)
DIPTERA
Definition: Flies First letter of Danger + 1 + P[arty] + last letter of thaT + ERA
Sound of insect or fly (4)
FLEE
Definition: fly Homophone of "flea"
Harvest disease leads to making one unconscious (6,3)
LAYING OUT
Definition: making one unconscious LAY IN (to harvest) + GOUT
The corrupt accept this: to live, cut by ridicule (5)
BRIBE
Definition: The corrupt accept this RIB (to ridicule) in BE (live)
Everything under the sun I ever recollected (8)
UNIVERSE
Definition: Everything (SUN I EVER)* – I suppose the definition could be "Everything under the sun", but then "sun" is doing double duty. As I've parsed it, "under the" is redundant (maybe justifiable as linking words)
Mark a clue that does this for golf (9)
BACKSLASH
Definition: Mark A clue for golf might be that it BACKS LASH, i.e. reverses "flog"
Greens on cycling: 'That hurts!' (4)
CHOU
Definition: Greens A cycling of OUCH – chou is French for cabbage
Boatman involved in terrible ordeal, but winning (8)
ADORABLE
Definition: winning AB (sailor, boatman) in ORDEAL
German poet translating King Lear, removing an entry for Goneril (5)
RILKE
Definition: German poet Anagram of KING LEAR less AN and G[oneril]. Rilke was born in Prague, then part of Austria-Hungary, but he wrote in German
Some say terrible judge gives mark for changing letters (9)
DIACRITIC
Definition: mark for changing letters Homophone of "dire" + CRITIC
American poet's name with no apostrophe S, hyphenated originally (4)
NASH
Definition: American poet First letters of No Apostrophe S Hyphenated – the poet is (I presume) Ogden Nash
You might sling one inverted comma in covers of hardback (7)
HAMMOCK
Definition: You might sling one Reverse of COMMA in H[ardbac]K
Very corrupt senior type (7)
VERSION
Definition: type V + SENIOR
Chubby seal. (4,4)
FULL STOP
Definition: . FULL (chubby) + STOP (to seal), with the definition cunningly concealed as an actual full stop, which would not normally be used at the end of a clue
Star in hurry loses hour by chance (8)
ASTERISK
Definition: Star HASTE less H + RISK
Heroine, tragic victim of hubris? Old enough to see through this (6)
ISOLDE
Definition: Heroine, tragic victim Hidden in hubrIS OLD Enough
Might this describe Boatman: finished with work? (8)
FIENDISH
Definition: Might this describe Boatman FINISHED
It might be oblique note to follow Mark, perhaps: ringing endorsement (6)
STROKE
Definition: It might be oblique OK (endorsement) in ST (Saint, e.g. Mark) + RE (note, as in do-re-mi)
Substitute neither first nor last at first (4)
ERST
Definition: at first I guess this is undERSTudy less the outer letters, though calling them "first and last" is a bit of a stretch. I know ERST as a word for "once, formerly", but Chambers says it can also mean "at first". It's basically a superlative of "ere", so "before-est". *See comments: the intended parsing is probably ERSATZ less A and D. Quite a coincidence that my version (sort of ) works, though
There's no end to early morning link-up — whatever you want! (3,4,2)
YOU NAME IT
Definition: whatever you want YOUN[g] (early) + AM + reverse of TIE
Catch drivers' panel ignoring punctuation (5)
BOARD
Definition: Catch DASHBOARD less DASH (punctuation mark) – as in boarding an enemy ship, perhaps?
Mark is cross, twice (5)
SCORE
Definition: Mark A cross twice could be XX = 20 = score
Find difference at the bottom of writing (8)
SUBTRACT
Definition: Find difference SUB (under, at the bottom of) TRACT (writing)
Mark is England's first to settle (8)
COLONISE
Definition: to settle COLON (mark) + IS + E[ngland]
States 'authentic' writing (6)
REALMS
Definition: States REAL + MS (manuscript)
Row of crop marks (6)
RACKET
Definition: Row A "cropping" of BRACKETS (punctuation marks)
Impervious to argument about half of deaths, full stop! (4)
DEAF
Definition: Impervious to argument Not sure about this – half of DEAths + F[ull]? *See comments: the F is "full's top". Why "about half" though?
Person imbibed decorated cup he had, seated on high table? (9)
UP-PERCHED
Definition: seated on high table PER[son] in CUP* + HE'D
Favourite about finished, reverse of ideal change of fortune (9)
PERIPETIA
Definition: change of fortune RIPE (finished) in PET + reverse of A1
Fleet in point of fact welcoming sign of victory (4)
NAVY
Definition: Fleet V (sign of victory) in NAY (in point of fact)
Succinct drama is replaced by page (5)
CRISP
Definition: Succinct CRISIS (drama) with the second IS replaced by P
Carnivore like this appears in ring jumping around (6)
GRISON
Definition: Carnivore SO in RING
Hornless stag, or cow? (6)
HUMBLE
Definition: Hornless stag Double definition, with "cow" in the sense of "to subdue, keep under"
When you see wife avoiding cooked bean, don't eat it! (7)
HENBANE
Definition: don't eat it WHEN less W[ife] + BEAN
Former trust: a relationship is lacking in it (4)
AFFY
Definition: Former trust AFFINITY less IN IT
Muscular disorder not returning Daisy's got round after treatment (8)
DYSTONIA
Definition: Muscular disorder Reverse of NOT in DAISY
Bass polished off, beer glass refreshed – sign of generous host? (8)
LARGESSE
Definition: sign of generous host Anagram of BEER GLASS less B[ass]
Large wine range available from hired salesman (4)
REDS
Definition: Large wine range Hidden in hiRED Salesman
Miss out, having to accept tawdry stuff, in socialistic regime? (7)
STATISM
Definition: socialistic regime TAT in MISS
Nautical measure including trawl for supposed monster (6)
KRAKEN
Definition: supposed monster RAKE (to trawl) in KN (knot)
Lord, one accompanied by sweetheart, independent (6)
ADONAI
Definition: Lord A + DONA (sweetheart) + I[ndependent]
Having crust that's dry, one assumes? (5)
RINDY
Definition: Having crust DRY is "R IN DY"
Image showing centre of viscera, taken in hospital? (4)
SCAN
Definition: Image [vis]C[era] in SAN (hospital)
Usual trend left by river forming waves (9)
UNDULATES
Definition: waves Anagram of USUAL TREND less R
Graves when neglected may be so disordered and want backing (9)
MADERISED
Definition: Graves when neglected may be so MAD (disordered) + reverse of DESIRE – with Graves being the type of wine
Power race, e.g. Fastnet? (5)
PHARE
Definition: e.g. Fastnet P + HARE (to race). Fastnet is a remote lighthouse off the coast of Ireland
Stones (flat), not good for formal dance (5)
PAVIN
Definition: formal dance PAVIN[G] – a variant of pavane
Do leader stirred up, with chamber full again (8)
RELOADED
Definition: with chamber full again (DO LEADER)
Sly circumventing rule in secret place (6)
CRANNY
Definition: secret place R in CANNY
Landing place on this side when river ebbs (5)
HITHE
Definition: Landing place HITHER (on this side) less R
Minor scratch may not affect this part of spiderman (5)
DERMA
Definition: Minor scratch may not affect this Hidden in spiDERMAn
Poisonous gas: a little coming up interrupts function (7)
STIBINE
Definition: Poisonous gas Reverse of BIT in SINE (trigonometric function)
Girl pocketing key that's this and this! (7)
MISLAID
Definition: this Some devious self-reference here – ISLAND less AND (i.e. "key that's mislaid 'and'" in MAID, thought I'm not totally sure how the definition works
Hunk gargles boozily, common sight at Bierfest (11)
ENGHALSKRUG
Definition: common sight at Bierfest (HUNK GARGLES)* – an elaborate type of beer jug with a lid: I rather doubt one would be seen at a Bierfest these days
Notice I'll be brought in to direct with more consistency (8)
STEADIER
Definition: with more consistency AD I in STEER
What'll aid streamlining following publication? (7)
FAIRING
Definition: What'll aid streamlining F + AIRING
She's a discerning foodie, and a friend in trouble (7)
FRIANDE
Definition: She's a discerning foodie (A FRIEND)
It smoulders in thurible, around start of communion say (6)
STACTE
Definition: It smoulders in thurible C (around) in STATE (say) – a kind of incense
What harvester grips and studies lifted round acreage (5)
SNEAD
Definition: What harvester grips A[creage] in reverse of DENS (studies) – it's the handle of a scythe
Like an anvil, more than half banged up? (5)
INCUS
Definition: Like an anvil IN CUS[tody] – incus is familiar as the anvil bone of the inner ear, but it's also an adjective meaning "anvil-shaped"
Some Finns are found in South America having run away (5)
SAAME
Definition: Some Finns A (are, unit of area, one hundredth of a hectare) in S AME[r]; the Sámi people, formerly known as Lapps (now deprecated) – not necessarily Finns
Restructure due — can't lay off senior Scottish lawyer (4,2,7)
DEAN OF FACULTY
Definition: senior Scottish lawyer (DUE CAN'T LAY OFF)* – new to me: it's head of the Faculty of Advocates, a body of Scottish lawyers
Discontinues for a time supporting scoundrels (9)
PROROGUES
Definition: Discontinues for a time PRO (supporting) ROGUES
School temperature drops (5)
TRAIN
Definition: School T + RAIN (drops)
Old enough to finally smoke drugs (2,3)
OF AGE
Definition: Old enough Last letter of tO + FAG (cigarette, a smoke) + E (drugs)
Snap after Prince's angry words (9)
PHILIPPIC
Definition: angry words [Prince] PHILIP + PIC (picture, snap)
Impalers drinking Irish whiskey and brandy? (7)
SPIRITS
Definition: whiskey and brandy? IR in SPITS
Important lesson — change sides (7)
SEMINAL
Definition: Important SEMINAR (lesson) with R[ight] changed to L[eft]
End fuel crisis as required (7)
NEEDFUL
Definition: as required (END FUEL)
Cross about dates with duke — not thinking clearly (7)
MUDDLED
Definition: not thinking clearly D D in MULE (a cross) + D
Be a high street stationer — it's a stable job (9)
LIVERYMAN
Definition: it's a stable job LIVE (be) + RYMAN (UK stattioners), and a liveryman works in a stable
Spirit? Sounds like it (5)
DJINN
Definition: Spirit Homophone of "gin"
I help part of UK initially during recession (5)
INDIA
Definition: I Reverse of AID + NI (Northern Ireland), with the definition cunningly sneaking in as the initial "I"
'Not original' — university musical reviewed by Independent (9)
IMITATIVE
Definition: Not original I[ndependent] + MIT (US university) + reverse of EVITA
Stop, son! Dad ordered a drink (6,3,4)
SCOTCH AND SODA
Definition: drink SCOTCH (to stop) + (SON DAD)* + A
Reminiscent of detective finally addressing case (9)
EVOCATIVE
Definition: Reminiscent [detectiv]E + VOCATIVE (grammatical case)
Snare pointless — change of heart required (5)
NOOSE
Definition: Snare NO USE with the middle letter changed
Nothing winning about kiss, a second indiscretion (4,3)
FAUX PAS
Definition: indiscretion FA (nothing) + X (kiss) in UP (winning) + A S
Trump's behind troubles and torments (7)
ASSAILS
Definition: torments ASS (US for the bottom) + AILS (troubles)
Not yet attempted taking on males in need of grooming (9)
UNTRIMMED
Definition: in need of grooming M M in UNTRIED
Covering miles — some flipping walk! (5)
TRAMP
Definition: walk M in reverse of PART (some)