Clue
stringlengths 7
155
| Answer
stringlengths 0
46
| Explanation
stringlengths 5
990
|
|---|---|---|
Chocolate after Colin passes out is elementary (8) | INCHOATE | Definition: elementary
Another one I can't fully parse: there's CHOCOLATE less COL, but I can't see how the IN gets added, even if it comes from colIN |
Choice of words used by Lineker when admitting defeat (8) | GLOSSARY | Definition: Choice of words
LOSS in GARY (Lineker, footballer) |
With a plate he can certainly make the earth move (4,2,4) | JUAN DE FUCA | Definition: With a plate he can certainly make the earth move
A reference to the Juan de Fuca Plate, named after a 16th-century Greek maritime pilot. Rather unfair to clue this with no wordplay for anyone who, like me, didn't know the name |
She asks what might be necessary on a bicycle (8) | ISABELLE | Definition: She
Homophone of "is a bell", as in the old knock-knock joke |
Islands emphatically shut up about what some people do there (8) | MALDIVES | Definition: Islands
DIVE (what a lot of people do in the Maldives) in reverse of SLAM (emphatically shut) |
Art student undressed on vacation, ready to breed (2,4) | AT STUD | Definition: ready to breed
A[r]T S[tuden]T U[ndresse]D – the words are "vacated" |
The asparagus served to you for starters is delicious (5) | TASTY | Definition: delicious
First letters of The Asparagus Served To You |
Part of sabbatical group (4) | ABBA | Definition: group
Hidden in sABBAtical |
Hard-plated fish from foreign river rolling part of roe (5) | POGGE | Definition: Hard-plated fish
PO (river) + reverse of EGG (part of roe) |
Government file making sense? (5) | GRASP | Definition: sense
G + RASP |
Fruit pest, rare thing enveloping most of stem (8) | CURCULIO | Definition: Fruit pest
CUL[L] (to stem) in CURIO |
Child pockets crumpled bumph – it's suitable for seedling (8) | THUMBPOT | Definition: it's suitable for seedling
BUMPH in TOT |
Pair of characters in oyster place changing places for sort of smoothie? (6) | CREMOR | Definition: sort of smoothie
CROMER with the O and E swapped. Cromer is more famous for its crabs, but it seems you can get oysters there too |
One needing psychiatric help grieves having wings clipped (5) | AMENT | Definition: One needing psychiatric help
[L]AMENT[S] |
Publicity stunt? It stimulates artificially (4) | HYPE | Definition: Publicity stunt
Double definition |
Mass entering bewildering system, on edge? They're misbegotten (8) | MAMZERIM | Definition: They're misbegotten
M in MAZE + RIM |
Rate 'stormy' vague in precise measurement of space (10) | ASTROMETRY | Definition: precise measurement of space
(RATE STORMY) |
Nick bits of earlier recorded stuff? Could be Grub Street denizens (10) | SCRATCHERS | Definition: Could be Grub Street denizens
SCRATCH (Nick, name for the devil) + first letters of Earlier Recorded Stuff |
Stop fumbling after cross comes back – I won't catch a thing! (8) | DOORPOST | Definition: I won't catch a thing
Reverse of ROOD (cross) + STOP* – reference to the phrase "deaf as a doorpost" |
What caused ferment in parliamentary establishment (4) | YEST | Definition: What caused ferment
Hidden in parliamentarY ESTablishment – old variant of yeast |
Roman army issue, troublesome flyer when holding line (5) | PILUM | Definition: Roman army issue
L in PIUM ("a small but very troublesome Brazilian fly"). The pilum was a Roman javelin |
One that's set off in search? (6) | CHASER | Definition: One that's set off in search
SEARCH* &lit |
Wild celery, herb seen round shopping area (8) | SMALLAGE | Definition: Wild celery
MALL in SAGE |
Piece of embroidery showing two figures beside queen and king? (8) | TENT-WORK | Definition: Piece of embroidery
TEN + TWO (numbers, figure) + R + K |
He leaves the highway for track no longer used (5) | TROAD | Definition: track no longer used
T[HE] + ROAD |
Return of comic dame, central character in Christmas range (5) | ANDES | Definition: range
Reverse of EDNA (Dame Edna Everage) + [chri]S[tmas] |
Brownish-yellow piece of pseudochrysolite (5) | OCHRY | Definition: Brownish-yellow
Hidden in pseudOCHRYsolite |
This size, OS, is not right for OU gels (4) | GLUE | Definition: size
Composite anagram: (OU GELS)* = GLUE OS |
Elderly female or male entering, keen competitor on the circuit (6) | GAMMER | Definition: Elderly female
M in GAMER |
Page in section of the Koran, as above (5) | SUPRA | Definition: above
P in SURA (a chapter of the Koran) |
Surfing tyro got mermaid helplessly rolling about (7) | GROMMET | Definition: Surfing tyro
Anagram of GOT + MERMAID less AID |
Tympanist missing entry – rather odd (6) | RUMMER | Definition: rather odd
[D]RUMMER – "tympanist" for "drummer" is a definition-by-example, so should really have a "maybe" or something |
Food store – see one denied pant for meal concealed (6) | ALMERY | Definition: Food store
PANTRY (a food store) with PANT replaced by MEAL |
Gentleman's society I included in endless snub (7) | SIGNIOR | Definition: Gentleman
S + I in IGNOR[E] |
She runs local concern, job with medium pressure around one (12) | POSTMISTRESS | Definition: She runs local concern
POST (job) + I in M[edium] + STRESS |
Pliers somehow gripping ring device assisting plane's descent (7) | SPOILER | Definition: device assisting plane's descent
O in PLIERS |
Chairman presiding over room as alternative to senior steward (7) | MAORMOR | Definition: senior steward
MAO + RM + OR |
A number as introduction for unaccompanied wind (6) | SOLANO | Definition: wind
A N in SOLO |
Cocktail coming from vineyards cheers (6) | CRUSTA | Definition: Cocktail
CRUS + TA (thank you, cheers) |
This dinghy a liner envelops, result of degenerative process (6) | HYALIN | Definition: result of degenerative process
Hidden in dingHY A LINer |
Grant maybe topped by latest of cuts, alarming (5) | SCARY | Definition: alarming
[cu]S + CARY (Cary Grant, actor) |
Proceed directly, as in court (5) | SEGUE | Definition: Proceed directly
EG (as) in SUE |
Stone that's reddish-brown with being dug out of turf (4) | SARD | Definition: Stone that's reddish-brown
SWARD less W[ith] |
Offer more: you'll get a lot from it (6) | OUTBID | Definition: Offer more
Sort of a double definition, though really more of a definition plus a hint, referring to auctions |
Having expectations of a new horse? (2,4) | IN FOAL | Definition: Having expectations of a new horse
Cryptic definition |
'Farewell', clutching one's overnight bag (6) | VALISE | Definition: overnight bag
I'S in VALE (Latin "farewell") |
Cohort that gets on together (3,5) | AGE GROUP | Definition: Cohort that gets on together
Cryptic definition – "gets on" = "ages" |
Knocking back lager is a slight mistake (4) | SLIP | Definition: a slight mistake
Reverse of PILS |
Grabbed something simple and sat back (4,2,4) | TOOK IT EASY | Definition: sat back
TOOK (grabbed) IT (something) EASY (simple) |
When travelling, spot erratic old creature (11) | TRICERATOPS | Definition: old creature
(SPOT ERRATIC) |
Rely on nerve, where there are many dead men (6,4) | BOTTLE BANK | Definition: where there are many dead men
BOTTLE (nerve) + BANK (to rely) – "dead man" is slang for an empty bottle, usually of beer etc; this isn't in Chambers, though it's common for bar staff clearing glasses to say "are these dead?" |
Store where hens sleep (4) | COOP | Definition: where hens sleep
The store is the CO-OP (co-operative) |
In pain after bathing? (8) | SUNBURNT | Definition: In pain after bathing
Cryptic definition – reference to (excessive) sunbathing |
Last to shoot weapon: it's not important (6) | TRIFLE | Definition: it's not important
[shoo]T + RIFLE |
Appear to embarrass (4,2) | SHOW UP | Definition: Appear
Double definition |
Carefully determine what's cooked in feed (6) | DEFINE | Definition: Carefully determine
(IN FEED) |
One can barely finish one's stage act (8) | STRIPPER | Definition: One can barely finish one's stage act
Cryptic definition |
Christmas Eve was such a quiet night (6) | SILENT | Definition: quiet
Cryptic definition, I presume, referring to the carol "Silent Night" |
Any number in America are favouring gender equality (8) | UNSEXIST | Definition: favouring gender equality
N (any number) in US + EXIST (are) |
Inferior, so joint bottom? (6) | COARSE | Definition: Inferior
CO-ARSE |
Love to gather together by word of mouth (6) | ORALLY | Definition: by word of mouth
O (zero, love) + RALLY |
Sixteen kings and finally one woman (6) | LOUISE | Definition: woman
LOUIS (any of 16 kings of France, though one could quibble about the exact number – see here), plus last letter of onE. It could be argued that LOUISA also works, though it doesn't account for "finally" so precisely |
Left organised chain gang (6,5) | LABOUR PARTY | Definition: Left organised
Double definition – the Labour party is the (political) "left, organised", and a chain gang is a party doing labour |
Unambiguous measure of volume curate's drunk (5-3) | CLEAR-CUT | Definition: Unambiguous
CL (centilitre) + CURATE |
Stop trying to stuff suitcase? (4,2,2) | PACK IT IN | Definition: Stop
Double/cryptic definition |
Villains have run over visitor, severing foot (6) | ROGUES | Definition: Villains
R[un] + O[ver] + GUES[t] |
No 1 saver (6) | GOALIE | Definition: No 1 saver
Cryptic definition – in football the goalkeeper ("saver") usually has the number 1 on his shirt |
Additionally, where one may apply a shoehorn (2,4) | TO BOOT | Definition: Additionally
Double definition |
Young pet: one's anxious to have many (6) | KITTEN | Definition: Young pet
Double definition, to have kittens is to be anxious or agitated |
Bread stuffed with skin of guava for star 12 (8) | PAGANINI | Definition: star 12
G[uav]A in PANINI |
Something 12 which is played (6) | BRIDGE | Definition: Something 12
Double definition – the bridge on a violin, and the card game |
American 12 escaped heartlessly (6) | MADOFF | Definition: American 12
~~Homophone of "made off"~~ A "heartless" MAD[e] OFF, giving the fraudster Bernie Madoff |
Men bound to be in uncle's place (8) | PAWNSHOP | Definition: uncle's place
PAWNS (chess men) + HOP (jump, bound); uncle is slang for a pawnbroker |
Actor isn't playing one 12 (3,6) | CON ARTIST | Definition: one 12
(ACTOR ISN'T) |
British pop star's activity 12 (5) | STING | Definition: British pop star
Double definition, with sting = confidence trick |
Double dose of salt for old invader (6) | TARTAR | Definition: old invader
TAR (sailor, salt) twice |
Heard group of relatives is 12 (6) | COZENS | Definition: is 12
Homophone of "cousins". To cozen is "to cheat or trick" |
Bets unclad singer is one making an impression (6) | ETCHER | Definition: one making an impression
[b]ET[s] + CHER |
Film star, fool taken in by fraud (6) | LASSIE | Definition: Film star
ASS in LIE |
One's played character in Shakespeare play (5) | VIOLA | Definition: One's played
Double definition – musical instrument and character in *Twelfth Night |
Show of preferences in walk nursing injured paw (5,4) | STRAW POLL | Definition: Show of preferences
PAW* in STROLL |
Perhaps saw advantage withdrawing money (4,4) | EDGE TOOL | Definition: Perhaps saw
EDGE (advantage) + reverse of LOOT. I'm not entirely sure that a saw can qualify as an edge tool – the term seems to refer more to things like axes and chisels, with a hard edge – but perhaps an expert can confirm |
Place to park behind North American dressed like Batman? (6) | CANAPE | Definition: Place to park behind
NA "in CAPE" (as Batman is). A canapé (I learn) is a type of sofa, so a place to "park [your] behind" |
Church worker is to keep sending rude messages (6) | SEXTON | Definition: Church worker
SEXT (send sexual messages by text) ON |
Revealing gear, things which are 12 (1-7) | G-STRINGS | Definition: Revealing gear
Double definition |
I get it's a sound made in mirth (3) | AHA | Definition: I get it
A + HA (laugh) |
Single traveller's nose (5) | AROMA | Definition: nose
A ROMA – "nose" as in the aroma of wine etc |
Lovingly taken home, lawman's clutching a tight back (10) | INFATUATED | Definition: Lovingly taken
IN (home) + (A + reverse of TAUT) in FED (FBI agent) |
This person's job or duty (6) | IMPOST | Definition: duty
I'M (this person is) + POST (job) |
Is 12 and isn't straight (4) | BOWS | Definition: Is 12
Double definition |
Well-liked people like me, who introduce extra pieces (9) | INSETTERS | Definition: who introduce extra pieces
IN (popular, well-liked) + SETTERS ("people like me") |
Golf games easily giving surge of emotion (11) | GROUNDSWELL | Definition: surge of emotion
G[olf] + ROUNDS + WELL (easily) |
Untrustworthy? Then do field trips (2,3,6) | ON THE FIDDLE | Definition: Untrustworthy
(THEN DO FIELDS) |
Performing carol, say, to event where Stradivarius has featured (5,5) | ROYAL ASCOT | Definition: event where Stradivarius has featured
(CAROL SAY TO). This Stradivarius is not the violin maker, but a racehorse that has won the Ascot Gold Cup three times |
Call up troops, two officers besieging City (9) | RECOLLECT | Definition: Call up
RE (Royal Engineers, troops) + EC (City of London) in COL[onel] + LT (Lieutenant) |
Camp male's maintaining apparel on the outside (6) | STALAG | Definition: Camp
A[ppare]L in STAG |
He was 12 with some chap on zither (5) | PONZI | Definition: He was 12
Hidden in chaP ON ZIther. Another fraudster, who gave his name to the Ponzi scheme |
Either end of Milton's poetic early period (4) | MORN | Definition: poetic early period
An end of MiltoN could be M OR N |
Girl who's 12? (3) | PEG | Definition: Girl
One more fiddle-related double definition to finish off |
America backed Biden-Trump leadership election? At first, it's not obvious (6) | SUBTLE | Definition: not obvious
Reverse of US + first letters of Biden-Trump Leadership Election. A bit of topicality to get us started |
Subsets and Splits