ST 3146 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

ST 3146 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3146 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, on Tuesday, we started the new month with a blizzard!  And, for those members of our company in North America it was a real blizzard, not one of these:

Another reason for a wee dram, like I need one – this is the 5th anniversary of my Sunday blogging and, if I continue at the current pace, I will ‘catch up’ with our dear leader’s 401 Sunday blogs on October 6th, 2024!

Keep staying safe everyone.

For me, Dada about the same as last Sunday.  I counted a very generous 7 anagrams (three partials), two lurkers (one reversed), and one homophone – all in a symmetric 29 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.

Candidates for favourite – 10a, 3d, and 16d.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

Don’t forget to follow BD’s instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!

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 as “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

8a Boss cancelled leave (4,3)
A synonym of boss and a synonym of cancelled.

10a Cool mission ends in hard battle (1,2,4)
The mission that Texans are encouraged to remember followed by the last letters (ends in) of harD battlE.

11a Up in arms, stupid nit drinking like granny (9)
An anagram (stupid) of NIT containing (drinking) all of a three letter synonym of like and a synonym of granny.

17a I’m not telling lies: players made blunders (2,4,3,6)
An anagram (blunders) of LIES: PLAYERS MADE.

19a Tear off after vehicle for entertainment (7)
An anagram (off) of TEAR placed after a three letter type of vehicle.

26a Scent variable rate worse (9)
An anagram (variable) of RATE WORSE.

28a Read about odd part of sensory organ (7)
An anagram (about) of READ and a synonym of odd.

Down

1d In speech, rattle Arab leader (6)
A homophone (in speech) of a synonym of rattle.

3d Competitor, sweater down to knees? (4,6)
How one might describe a synonym of sweater that reaches down to one’s knees.

6d Amount of beer fed to pet, too kind? (6)
A term for an amount of beer (in terms of a container) inserted into (fed to) a pet (animal) – as I recall, there was an amount of discussion when the ‘term for an amount of beer’ appeared previously.

15d Playwright who’s scared of the present day? (4,6)
A four letter term for the day of present giving and a term that indicates a person who is scared (in terms of lack of courage).

16d Uncertain when foxtrot changing (9)
The letter represented in the phonetic alphabet by foxtrot and a synonym of changing.

18d Hot stuff, politician in private chamber (8)
A type of hot stuff (that flows from a volcano?) and a (right wing) politician.

23d Capri, perhaps, covered in hotels Italians erected (4)
The reversed lurker (covered in . . . erected) found in two words in the clue.

25d Expedition set off (4)
A double definition to finish – the second could apply to setting off an alarm.

Quick Crossword Pun:

WRING + HOST+ TAR = RINGO STARR


Could new readers please read the Welcome post and the FAQ before posting comments or asking questions about the site.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES OR HINTS in your comment.

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then save yourself a lot of trouble and don’t leave a comment.


I am not sure where or how this ‘popped up.’  Edward Elgar composed Salut d’Amour (Liebesgruß) in 1888 as an engagement gift for his fiancée Caroline Alice Roberts; he called it Liebesgruß (Love’s Greeting) because of Miss Roberts’ fluency in German.  When it was published a year later by Schott & Co, a German publisher, the first published editions were for violin and piano, piano solo, cello and piano, and for small orchestra.  Few copies were sold until Schott changed the title to Salut d’Amour with Liebesgruß as a sub-title.  This version is a small orchestra led by André Rieu from a 2001 CD, Dreaming:

68 comments on “ST 3146 (Hints)

  1. Super puzzle from the Sunday maestro, which I thought quite tricky in places, especially the NE where I was pushed into 3* time. In fact I thought I was facing defeat with 10a but in a sudden inspiration the wordplay came to me and I was able to confirm my (educated) guess from it.
    As ever, lots to like, even Dad’s double definitions are spot on but my favourites were 11,14&17a plus 4d. Great stuff.
    Thanks to Dada and (congratulations to) Senf for the top notch entertainment.

  2. For me the toughest DADA for quite a while. I had to resort to the hints after only 5 answers!
    Having finished I can see the wordplay although very complex is always fair except perhaps for 4d which was a bit nasty.
    Far too difficult for any favourites, like most puzzles of this level they are hard work and not really for enjoyment rather to not admit defeat.
    *****/*
    Thx for the much needed hints.

  3. Slow to get on wavelength this morning so a ponderous solve in 3.5* time with all eventually parsed satisfactorily. As ever lots to like. Top 3 for me in no particular order 10a with 15&18d but with ticks also for 11,17&28a plus 3,4&20d. Very enjoyable.
    Thanks to Dada & a happy blogging anniversary to Senf.
    Wordle in 4

  4. What a great way to cheer up a miserable Shropshire morning. It was pleasingly tricky in places, which always enhances my enjoyment, and my top clue was the clever 15d.

    Thanks to Dada for the challenge and thanks and happy anniversary to Senf.

    I see some of us are becoming Wordle bores, according to today’s paper. Heigh ho, Wordle in 4.

  5. I was a bit slow on the uptake this morning (no change there!) but once I got started the puzzle came together quite well.
    Top selection here consisted of 10&17a plus 3&15d.

    Thanks to Dada for the usual Sunday work-out and also to Senf for his 5 years of service as Chief Sunday hint provider!
    Delightful musical accompaniment today and how nice to see an orchestra who look as though they’re really enjoying themselves.

    1. Nobody’s mentioned the absence of an NTSPP this week but perhaps we’ve all been hard at work dealing with Mr Radler’s MPP!

      1. Racket like Elgar a no go area for me so I missed it especially as Boatman in the Graun was impenetrable

      2. I did look for it yesterday but then got sidetracked when I couldn’t find it. Will save it for another day when I need another puzzle.

    2. Was a bit of a grind but satisfying to complete. 24a obvious but why spot? Liked 10a, 15d and 20d. Thank you Dada whom I am finally beginning to fathom and likewise to Senf combined with congratulations 👏 on 5 years of service to this great blog.

      1. The smiles were great to see but they were so universal that without being too cynical it did occur to me they might have come from a directive from André Rieu or the orchestra powers that be!

          1. If you look at any video of Mr. Rieu and his orchestra, Jane they are always smiling and having a good time.

  6. Great puzzle today, really enjoyed it. Couldn’t get 20a and 21d until just now after a visit to the carwash. I thought some very clever cluing especially 15d. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Wordle in 3 today and, yes am becoming a bit of a bore!

  7. I struggled with Dada today and needed the hints for the last three or four. Having said that, the rest was most enjoyable with plenty of satisfaction so no complaints from me. Plenty to smile about such as 10a and 3d. I’m not sure, though, where beer comes into 6d. My COTD and one that made me laugh the most is 15d.

    Many thanks to Dada for the puzzle. Thanks, Senf for the hints and huge congratulations on your five years of service.

    Work in 3.

    1. As I noted in my italicised comment in the hint for 6d, the term ‘amount of beer’ has appeared before. I will try to remember to make a comment on the full review on the 16th.

        1. I think it only works if you happen to be Australian. It’s quite probable that I said this last time too!!

          1. Thanks, I thought I recalled something about this, but just couldn’t remember it. Just knew it was not called that in England.

  8. I had to swap between this and the new toughie depending on which bit of the paper Mama Bee wanted. Initially, I thought this was the tougher of the two, however with help from Senf I have finished this first. 6d held me up for ages as I had forgotten the “amount” of beer. 17d and 18d are my favourites today.
    Thanks to Senf and Dada I will resume battle with the toughie if Mama bee has finished with the puzzles section.

    1. Thanks for reminding me. Had totally forgotten about the Toughie as not in the digital paper.
      Super Everyman puzzle today.

  9. 3/4. Very enjoyable Sunday puzzle. I had to reverse engineer a couple of answers (e.g. 10a) to get the parsing correct but generally all was well. My favourites were 15, 16 & 20d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  10. 2.5*/5*. Apart from the beer in 6d, I thought this was brilliant with 10a, 12a, 24a & 15d making it onto my podium.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    1. Perhaps England’s cricketers might get used to the term in 6d RD (if they are allowed beer that is).

    1. Welcome to the blog.

      If you are considering commenting on a regular basis, I would recommend that you add something to your name to make it unique. We already have a Bob (unless it was you using a different e-mail) and some Bobxx

  11. Hi Senf
    As I live on the West Coast I can relate to the blizzard, that is why we refer Winnipeg as Winterpeg, with no offence intended, have a nice day, thank you for the tips and stay safe.

  12. We found this straightforward and enjoyable with 10a taking the honours. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  13. A nice Dada offering this Sunday with no real issues and not quirky at all. Today 2.5*/4.5* for me.
    Favourites 14a, 3d, 6d, 15d & 18d with winner a tossup between 3d & 18d

    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  14. NW corner flew in then things things slowed to a crawl. Overall it was a struggle for no real reason when the answers dawned.
    18d my COTD with 10a R/U.
    Thanks to Dada and Senf. Happy Anniversary, I hope to be around in 2024.
    Bit of a Sisyphean task trying to keep the 1in 5 drive free of snow at the minute.

  15. Very late on this chilly Sunday Carolina morning after watching the Olympics and a good old Paul Newman film (Absence of Malice) into the wee hours. As usual, I struggled with Dada, especially on the right side, with 10a taking top prize followed by 15d and 18d. Thanks and cheers to Senf for five years of a most rewarding hintsmanship, and thanks to Dada. **** / ****

    I thought that the new Sunday Toughie was easier than Dada today and finished it without any assistance. Yay!

  16. Not too bad an effort but I had the usual problem in that I pronounce 1d differently. I can’t be the only one remembering the old, probably music hall, song.

    1. Ditto that. ‘Twas a great crossword, and I’m interested to see what others thought about it.

  17. I always find Dada tricky, I’m used to the shameless way I use e-help to get anywhere. On the plus side, I had a nice amount of solves before having to resort to help. My inability to get the why of many answers was also normal, so thank you Senf for explaining those for me. Fave, hands down, was 15d. The memories of the BOAC Stratocruiser touching down at Montego Bay at the start of winter and said gentleman, Anton Dolin, and others arriving in suits and ties. They headed straight to the gents and came out in garish Antonio shirts, lime green or orange trousers, piling into a convertible and heading off to Firefly in Port Antonio. When I was sooo young!
    Thank you Dada and much appreciated the help Senf.
    Wordle in 5 – so I’m a bore, big deal? Wanna make something of it?

    1. I Wordled in 6 today -Phew! However, I still have a 100% score 😊I’m bound to come a cropper soon.

      1. As I commented above, I’d have done better than 5 if I’d known the same letter could appear more than once in the answer. Should have read the rules,

      2. I’ve had one flameout where I failed completely and I’ve had one 6, luckily I’m averaging 4.

  18. Always enjoy Dada’s.
    Completed in just nudging *** time.
    Loved 3d and 15d.
    Many thanks, indeed, and thanks Senf.

  19. Really enjoyed this puzzle while it lasted and thought Dada was being extremely gentle until I read the comments on this blog. One of the quickest grids of the week and just my very good fortune to tune in to Dada’s wavelength from the off.

    Too many good clues to highlight any one in particular.

    1* / 3′

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

  20. Yes, I agree – a lovely puzzle today with Daisies for 10a (brilliant) 17a, 3d and 15d. 17a just jumped out at me and was a big help.
    Last one in was 6d. Congratulations on your anniversary Senf, I needed your explanation for 24a and many thanks to the setter also!
    Peculiar weather here – bitterly cold, bright sunshine and then sudden downpours. I said to George, let’s go to the Anthropological
    Museum and then have lunch at Loch Fyne. He muttered something about having speakers to book and letters to write but I just think
    he is a wimp. We would have been indoors most of the time. So hurrah for the puzzles to keep me occupied.

  21. Can someone with the newspaper please confirm that the Sunday Toughie is a prize puzzle as the puzzles site version implies otherwise

    1. CS – From the January 24th Puzzles Newsletter:

      “Sundays will see a new prize Sunday Toughie Crossword, which will also be available on the Telegraph Puzzles website.”

        1. Toughie no 2 by Robyn is in today’s Sunday Telegraph puzzles pullout. It is a competition puzzle with, at the moment, no hints available. I’ll have to admit that it has defeat me!

          1. Just looked at it this evening & I’m 2 shy of completion with a number yet to parse. Unlike Robert I thought it far harder than Dada’s puzzle.

    2. Definitely is. Thought I’d check before looking for the blog and wanting to comment. But so far I can’t!

  22. A tricky little blighter, this.
    Took me ages to get the poet, though I knew it was something to do with Christmas.
    10a reminded me of Del Boy.
    I enjoyed 20d.
    Thanks both.

  23. Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints. A typical Dada puzzle, most enjoyable, a few gimmies, but a lot to make you think. Needed the hints to parse 11a. Favourite was 3d. LOI was 6d, which made me laugh when I finally parsed it. Was 3*/4* for me.

  24. The left side went in smoothly, but the right side was quite tricky, and needed some hints to finish. Have to say I was rather annoyed with myself as I really should have figured those out for myself, as they were fairly clued. Quite enjoyable, if challenging. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  25. I struggled with this one after making a good start. Needed Senf’s hints for some as well as the electronic gizmo.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf.

Comments are closed.