Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2752 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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Don’t forget to have a go at the Monthly Prize Puzzle?
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a number of the more difficult clues and provide hints for them.
Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct a “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a No answer in classroom? It’s she that’s upset (14)
A bit difficult to pick out the definition in this sort of all-in-one clue – an anagram (upset) of CL[A]SSROOM IT’S SHE without (no) the A(nswer)
11a Cuts lines in graph at right angles (4)
Two definitions – cuts with a hatchet or cuts from the staff of a company on the one hand and lines in graph which intersect at right angles
14a Cute animals put down in the ring, unfortunately (6)
A two-letter word meaning to put down on the canvas in the boxing ring followed by an adverb meaning unfortunately
17a Unconventional painters having old man sit as arranged (8)
The three-letter word for the old man or father followed by an anagram (arranged) of SIT AS
18a Puzzle fittingly completed after some steps understood (6)
A three-letter word for some steps in a lively dance followed by a verb meaning understood
22a What one’s shot, including rook and crow (4)
The amount of game shot by a hunter around R(ook) gives a verb meaning to crow or boast
24a Power cut in a part of hospital is inconvenient (7)
The two-letter abbreviation (cut) for a measure of power inside the A from the clue and a part of a hospital
26a Medicines laid out over counter, finally no longer illegal (14)
An anagram (out) of MEDICINES LAID around (over) the final letter of [counte]R
Down
1d Reverse part of defence after some action in court (7)
Part of the defence in a sport like football after some action on the tennis court
4d King Edward, say, as lawgiver? (6)
Two definitions – an informal word for a potato, of which King Edward is a variety, and a the name given to a “law” that says if something can go wrong, it will
6d Disreputable child to tease with a cake (10)
A three-letter verb meaning to tease followed by the the A from the clue and a savoury, round, breadlike cake, eaten hot, with butter (or an American word for a stodgy cupcake)
8d Fought, in a way, protected by barrier (6)
Two definitions – fought, as a sport, with a sword and protected by barrier
13d Tiny changes in volume, a fine novel (6,4)
An anagram (changes) of TINY inside V(olume), the A from the clue, and an adjective meaning fine or bright gives a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray
16d Organised party dipped into handy source of money haphazardly (2,6)
A three-letter verb meaning organised and a two-letter party inside (dipped into) a handy source of money usually found outside a bank
19d Carried on, holding king or queen, and gambled (7)
A verb meaning carried on or engaged in around the regnal cipher for many a king and for our queen
23d Work as farmer — there’s money in it (4)
Two definitions – to work as a farmer preparing a field for arable crops and something that holds the money in a shop
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3*/4*. Many thanks yet again to Virgilius for this wonderful Sunday entertainment.
My “short list” of excellent clues is all of them, but my favourite was 4d. This was my last one in which, when the penny finally dropped, made me laugh out loud.
I didn’t need any hints today but nevertheless many thanks too to the indefatigable BD.
I couldn’t agree more about 4d. A brilliant clue. Does one have to be of a certain age to appreciate it? My daughter didn’t have a clue what I was on about.
In 16d I thought the outer 3 letters were probably a handy source of cash outside a bank.
I’m not sure how I missed that! I’ve changed the hint.
A two letter part? And what is outside a bank?
2 letter party
Yes, I apologise for rather too abruptly pointing out to BD that his amended hint, which he has now corrected, didn’t make sense. Mea culpa, and sorry to BD.
I missed that too.
An excellent puzzle! Many thanks to Virgilius, and to BD.
I really loved this puzzle – i thought it was excellent; it is a role model for my clueing aspirations. It was a straightforward solve, but every clue excelled in surface. I was delighted from my first entry (1a), amazed at original twists on old chestnuts (the simple and beautiful surface of 25a), etc etc – i started keeping a list of my favourite clues but it got too long, amazing, how often can you say that? I missed the power abbreviation and did wonder why 24a was right. I think gazza is right wrt 16d and this is intended in the review, just some autocorrect thing going on
Many thanks Virgilius and many thanks Big Dave
Loved it. So much to enjoy, but 4D is my runaway favorite today. But where does the 3rd letter of 24A come from? Many thanks to Virgilius for a smashing puzzle and, as always, to BD for the review.
Never mind…I’ve just seen the answer to my question!
Terrific puzzle. Reading Dutch above I am getting an even deeper appriciation of Virgilius’ skills. On that basis 24a is my favourite.(4d is my least favourite). Thanks as ever to BD.
A very enjoyable and well crafted puzzle. Excellent clues. This is a great example of how a cryptic puzzle should be constructed. My rating would be 2*/4*. Thanks to The Master for his review.
I started very badly – only one answer having read through all the across clues – but then I got lots of the downs and things began to look up.
I got into a muddle with 16d – always forget about the thing that we call the hole in the wall – so needed the hint to understand that one.
I was playing “hunt the hidden ones” and then there was only one of them – and just when I’d remembered to look.
Thought 14a sounded a bit sad but that’s probably just me being weedy.
I liked 10 and 26a and 2d. My favourite, and my last answer, was 4d.
With thanks to Virgilius and BD.
As with others, my favourite clue, and the last one in, was 4d. Good fun overall.
We liked 4down too and that was our favourite. Took a little while to get into this puzzle, but after a bit of help from BD we managed to finish and it was very enjoyable. Thank you to the setter and to BD.
Very enjoyable. Still not sure I totally get the power reference in 24a and had to Google 17a to see who they were.
Lots of excellent clues inc 21a,14a and 2d.
Thx to all.
Read BD’s hint for 24a and see if that helps.
A 2*/4* for me. Right on my wavelength and over far too quickly. My favourite was 4d and like others was the last one in. Thanks to the setter and BD for the review. Dutch’s reference to keeping a list of favourite clues reminded me I used to keep these from many puzzles e.g. H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O (5).
Yes – I remember that one.
My all time favourite is one of Ray T’s – I suspect this will come as no surprise to many! If I’ve not got all these quite right I do apologise to those responsible!
“Kind of shrink underwear giving a revealing glimpse” (8,5)
Another one of his:-
“Move rhythmically, topless, on a pole maybe. (9)
My last one was one of gazza’s in an NTSPP from quite a while ago – it still gives me the giggles – love it!
“Looks like Gregory’s after a nibble”. (7)
Now I’ll shut up and go away!
As always a terrific puzzle from Virgilius . I thoroughly enjoyed it and although I wouldn’t say it was easy I am really pleased to have completed it without recourse to dictionary nor anything else. Last in was 4d and favourite clue. Thanks to Virgilius.
Nice end to the week from Brian.
Faves : 14a, 17a, 22a, 4d, 7d, 13d & 16d.
4d may be a bit of a sod for some people!
I’m with the happy squad too today, Everything you could want from a Sunday crossword so 2*/4* from me.. Lots of good clues but 4d was last in and wins the prize.
Thanks to Virgilius and to Big Dave for the hints. I was beaten by 4d, but managed to get it from the hint. I’d never heard of it in that context. A very enjoyable puzzle, was 2*/4* for me. Favourite was 15a. Looks like a draw in the Cricket. Looking forward to the World Cup Final later.
Took me quite a while to get into it and needed a few hints to complete this puzzle – many thanks to BD. My last one in was 4d. Liked 14a. Guessed a few clues before actually trying to parse the answers – 1a for example.. This is something I often do. Enjoyed this as at first I thought I would not get anywhere as I was only able to get a few clues – 10a was my fist one in.. . Glad I persevered. Thank to Virgillius for a 3*/4*.
4d was a ‘smiler’ once I’d finally cracked it, so that was my favourite (& last one in). Thank you setter and BD. Went to see Under Milk Wood (touring Theatre Clwyd) last night. It was astoundingly good with such clever blocking and a superb set. Mr P. Had banned me from listening to Richard Burton’s version so I wouldn’t be prejudiced. It was a profound interpretation of lght and shade with an enfolding warmth for such human ‘little lives’. Greetings to all.
Lovely Sunday puzzle again. I never did get 4d and needed the hint. My favourite was 24a with honourable mention to 18a. Thanks to Virgilius and to BD for the review.
Thank you Virgilius, a bit harder than normal I thought, but enjoyable as always. As often happens when we are away, I manage to solve 2/3rds of the puzzle before the day’s activities start and then when we get home after a long journey find that my brain has stopped working and I seek refuge in BD’s hints. Today was no exception and the hints enabled me to complete the SW corner. Also needed Mrs SW to solve 4d. So, many thanks BD for helping yet again
Many thanks Virgilius for a lovely puzzle.
Got me head scratching in places, some really brilliant clues.
For me, 4* for difficulty.
Thanks BD for the review.
Haven’t been around much as I’m moving to a new home in Gloucestershire.
This is the first crossword I’ve managed to complete for weeks and it was nice to sit down with the paper, the radio some coffee and give my brain a workout.
I really enjoyed this, lots of enjoyable clues with my favourite being 6d.
Thank you Virgillus and BD
Where are you moving to in Gloucestershire! It’s a lovely county – we grew up in a little pointy bit that was on the borders of Worcestershire/Gloucestershire/Herefordshire so know the area really well. Good luck with your move.
It’s a small town called Stonehouse, the nearest place that you might recognise is Stroud.
I don’t know Gloucestershire very well but last Monday I set off for London pretty early (I still work there during the week) as I pulled into the lane there was a fawn and a doe. Then driving down to the M4 I crossed a common with cattle just roaming around, it was really great to see.
My Mum came from Saul and I had cousins who lived in Stonehouse. We stayed with my Gran when we visited England as a child. My Dad came from Glos City.
The people I bought from moved to Saul, it’s closer to the Severn. I need to spend more time down there exploring
I do know Stonehouse – my Dad was at school there. We had cousins who lived in a tiny little village called Bisley which was close to Stroud – opposite direction to Stonehouse, I think.
What an excellent puzzle this is! I started noting fave clues, but gave up after a while as the list was growing so rapidly. 4d, though (one of my last in), is my top favourite.
Despite having the answer, it was only after reading through Big Dave’s excellent hints that the penny finally dropped re the second part of 11a. That illustration of the graph was most helpful. Otherwise I did not need any hints but I enjoyed reading them. Super illustrations!
Much appreciation to Virgilius for a superb Sunday crossword and to Big Dave for the invaluable hints.
Finally got a chance to do this crossword, and a real pleasure it is/was too! Fave like most peoples is 4d once I remembered. Thanks Virgilius and BD.