DT 25943

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25943

Hints and tips by Tilsit

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Another pleasant start to the week from the Monday Maestro. Nothing terribly demanding and the usual mix of clues to encourage the newer recruits to the Cryptic World. I feel the puzzle gets off to a bit of a shaky start with the first few clues, but then gets into its stride and delivers what we expect on a Monday.

The spaces between the curly brackets hide the answer, and highlighting that space will reveal it. As usual, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the puzzle. Don’t be afraid, you’re among friends! If it’s your first time posting, it can take a little while for your post to appear, as first posts are always moderated to prevent spammers, but don’t let that put you off.

 Across 
1a Time when the hands come together (6)
{TWELVE} A cryptic definition to get us started today. Think of the hands of a clock. It’s a slightly weakened clue as the hands could come together at 3:15, 4:20, 5:25 etc.

4a Cadet due for promotion, having been taught well (8)
{EDUCATED} An anagram of cadet due is needed here. Promotion seems a bit weak for me.

9a Instrument that won’t play a principal part (6)
{AGENCY} Quite a popular word in Telegraph puzzles, three or four outings in the past few weeks. This is , I think, a sort of cryptic definition.

10a Just take a trip in the twilight (8)
{EVENFALL} Not a word I have used recently. A simple word sum. A word for “just” + a word for “take a trip” = a word for “twilight”.

12a Rifle fire (4)
{SACK} Double definition. A word for rifle as in “search through roughly”, and a word for “dismiss”.

13a He will shortly ring — for your reply (5)
{HELLO} Shorten “He will” and add a letter that looks like a ring. You should see what you say when the phone rings.

14a It’s purely symbolic (4)
{LILY} Cryptic definition. What are you sometimes said to be as pure as?

17a Was dirt-cheap? Hardly! (4,3,5)
{COST THE EARTH} One of my favourite clues today. Think of an expression that is the opposite of “dirt cheap” and contains a word for soil or dirt.

20a He sent a cable setting out financial position (7,5)
{BALANCE SHEET} An anagram of “He sent a cable” reveals ” a financial position”.

23a Employed you and me and another chap (4)
{USED} The Definition here is “employed”. Two short words needed

24a Enter the office uninvited? (5)
{USURP} A cryptic definition. If you become a leader without authority, you might do this.

25a We are — or used to be (4)
{WERE} Short version of we are……

28a Lift to reveal switch (8)
{ELEVATOR} Another nice surface reading. This time you need an anagram of “to reveal”

29a Army retreat, then change direction to do this (6)
{ATTACK} Think of an abbreviation for an army unit. Retreat means it needs to be reversed, and add to it to a nautical word meaning to change direction. The whole clue then provides the definition as such.

30a Girl was about to enter without warning (8)
{UNAWARES} A girl’s name (think of Ms Stubbs the actress) + a short word for “about” inside WAS – a word that means “without warning”.

31a Seem a very quiet listener (6)
{APPEAR} A + a musical abbreviation for pianissimo (very quiet) + something that listens = a word for “seem”.

1d Indisposed star can’t perform (8)
{TRANSACT} An anagram of “star can’t” will lead you to a word meaning perform.

2d Queen duty-bound to keep physically fit (8)
{EXERCISE} An abbreviation for our Queen inside a word meaning “duty”.

3d Failing to become a deputy (4)
{VICE} Double definition. A failing, or sin that means the same as part of a title for someone who is a deputy.

5d Foolhardy rascal can show concern (5-3-4)
{DEVIL MAY CARE} “Foolhardy” is the definition here. A word sum is needed “Rascal” + “can” + “show concern”

6d Is unable to lean over (4)
{CANT} Double definition clue.

7d Distressing twitch about to irritate (6)
{TRAGIC} A word for a “twitch” with one meaning “to irritate” inside.

8d They hold up shelves (6)
{DELAYS} Double definition. “They hold up” and “shelves” as in to put off.

11d Soldier-husband who tries to supply all one’s needs (7,5)
{GENERAL STORE} A word for a rank of soldier (top end) + a word meaning “to husband” = Somewhere to get your supplies.

15d Band that breaks up? (5)
{STRAP} A word meaning “a band” which when reversed means “breaks up”

16d Good man gets a warning to say nothing and hide away (5)
{STASH} An abbreviation for someone who does lots of good together with a “warning” to say nothing” – put them together and you get a word meaning “to hide away”

18d Make a union defer tea break (8)
{FEDERATE} An anagram of DEFER TEA which means to make a union out of something.

19d One who takes off in a hurry? (8)
{STREAKER} Think Erika Roe!

21d Foreign office desk? (6)
{BUREAU} Don’t see the point of the question mark. A foreign language word for an office, and a word for a desk.

22d Information a female found in Switzerland (6)
{GENEVA} You need a word for information, plus a girl’s name (Think Peron).

26d A convict turned up for the festivity (4)
(GALA) Reverse the name for an old prisoner

27d Finish second best (4)
{STOP} “Finish” is the definition. And you need an abbreviation for a second + a word meaning “best”.

Thanks again for an enjoyable start to the week.

[Apologies for the late publication, but my computer problems still persist.  I am going to scrap the new wireless home hub (the flashy BT one that is heavily advertised!)and go back to the old USB one to see if that makes any difference!.  BD]