ST 2584 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 2584 (Hints)

by Big Dave  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2584 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.

Across

1a    Apply irresistible pressure in sport (6)
A double definition – to apply irresistible pressure and a racket sport

12a    Repeat point in court, creating a little drama (7)
Combine two words (4,3) that mean to repeat a point on the tennis court to get a short drama on the stage

18a    Project combining unequal parts of beer (5,3)
A word meaning to project or protrude is formed by taking a type of beer, splitting it into unequal parts (2,3) and inserting a combining word

29a    Be published as a paper after second article’s put back (6)
A word meaning to be published or become available is created by taking A PAPER and moving the second A (indefinite article) towards the end (put back)

Down

1d    Revised order for the spies could be quite expensive (8)
An anagram of (revised order for) THE SPIES gives a word meaning quite expensive

6d    Often used for mass communication, it requires some translating (5)
The language often used for mass in the Roman Catholic church is hidden (requires some) inside the last word of the clue

19d    Paying a kind of tax, object about it (7)
A word meaning paying an old tax to the church is created by putting an object around IT

24d    Mothers precocious young girl (5)
Combine two words for mother (two letters and three) to get a precocious young girl

If you need further help then please ask and I will see what I can do.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put whole or partial answers or alternative clues in your comment, else they may be censored!

Today it’s Happy Birthday to Olivia Hussey (can she really be 60?!)

21 comments on “ST 2584 (Hints)”

  1. Many thanks to Virgilius for another fine Sunday treat. I found this slightly easier than the past couple of weeks but just as much fun. Favourite clue was 16d. Thanks too to BD for the hints.

  2. I agree with everything Prolixic said apart from the favourite clue. The solution to 16d has appeared in various forms in a number of cryptic puzzles in the last couple of weeks. My favourite is 6d. Thanks to Virgilius and BD.

  4. A much gentler Sunday puzzle from Virgilius – many thanks.
    I liked 4a, 12a, 18a, 2d, 5d, 9d, 16d, 17d & 24d.

  6. Everyone must be out enjoying the Sunday sunshine, which is what I am about to go and do. This was easier than some recent Sunday offerings, but still enjoyable. As is usual, too many good clues to pick out a favourite. Thanks to setter and BD.

  7. I have answers that make some sense to 10a and 2d, but idea how they relate to the clues. Anyone like to explain, please?

    1. 10a is an abbreviation for British inside an word meaning surprise with an abbreviation for European at the beginning of the answer

      2d.split 2,5 gives you words for winning and coach (as in a form of transport)

  8. Hooray, finished one. Two more I really don’t understand are 16/17d. Can’t say i have any favourites, too much hard work for that!

    1. 16d a homophone for the first offender (think Book of Genesis) plus a word meaning fall

      17d The Dog and place where scientists work share a common abbreviation

      1. Thanks Prolixic, although not sure I understand some of the abbreviations. Just seen your replies, after more than several glasses of red stuff – will think about it tomorrow!

  9. Thoroughly enjoyable puzzle completed in the garden this morning. Thanks Virgilius and BD. Fav. clues 16d. & 10 a.
    Went to see Sir Nigel Gresley at Alnmouth yesterday. Any other A4 anoraks in the blog?

  10. I nearly forgot to check in today, I did the puzzle early and was straight out in the garden, bedding plants and hanging baskets now festoon the Nubian Towers.
    Today was a tad easiet than normal Sundays but that did not detract from the pleasure it gave me.
    Thanks Virgilius and B Dave.

  11. Don’t think I found it as easy as others appear to have, but enjoyed it all the same. Thanks to the setter and BD. Wish I had more confidence about putting in 18a, so that tip was particularly useful in confirming what I already thought. 11a probably my favourite today.

  12. Agree with Mr Tub- was staying with sister-in-law and we did it together, but not without a lot of help from our electronic friend! Two heads – plus EF – were definitely better than one and don’t think I would have finished on my own. Maybe the hangover from Sat night was a contributory factor?? And the sunshine?
    Liked – sorry, can’t remember the number, but it was bottom SW – made me chuckle – the one about gettting another mate.

  13. have been out most of day with church activities, and lovely hot sun this afternoon, so getting at it now. Looks a great pzzle. Thanks to Virgilous and BD, and extra little hints!

    1. Good luck Sarah F – I found it not just TRI-lateral – maybe QUATRO-lateral! Have fun.

  14. Only 13a left. I think I know what it is but can’t see why. Possibly down to sunstroke or the copious amounts of the cold stuff imbibed yesterday

    1. 13a Position in scale of importance organised by ruler (7)

      The definition is “position in scale of importance” – split it (3,4) and you get “organised” and “ruler”.

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