DT 30049 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30049

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30049

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Tuesday.  I didn’t find anything to hyperlink today, which must mean that the GK requirements are minimal. I enjoyed how a few of the definitions in today’s puzzle included words that at first appeared to be link words or juxtaposition indicators. Nice misdirection on the part of our compiler. 

In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background. Clicking on a picture will enlarge it or display a bonus illustration and a hover (computer) or long press (mobile) might explain more about the picture. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Nice salad prepared to include hot element in Mexican cuisine (10)
ENCHILADAS:  An anagram (prepared) of NICE SALAD containing (to include) the abbreviation for hot 

A New Mexican version of 1a

6a    Old man with revered figure of yore (4)
PAST:  An informal word for old man or father is followed by the abbreviation for a religious figure revered after their death 

10a   Have confidence in  NHS institution (5)
TRUST:  A double definition that will be straightforward for those living in the UK. Perplexed foreigners can look here for explanation

11a   Place in which to find a set of bays? (9)
ARBORETUM:  It’s obviously a cryptic definition, so the bays are not going to be ones filled with water. They’re not parking spaces or horses either, which were my next thoughts. Turns out that they’re flora, not fauna 

12a   Ban, for example, Oscar keeping mass drinking haunt (7)
EMBARGO:  The Latin abbreviation for “for example” and the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by oscar containing (keeping) both the physics symbol for mass and a drinking haunt 

13a   Rent, maybe, from Greek character is put back by western US state (7)
MUSICAL:  Link together the Greek letter which sounds like a cat, the reversal (put back) of IS from the clue, and a three-letter abbreviation for a western US state. The maybe indicates that the definition is by example. Here’s another example 

14a   By the sound of it, writer identifies talent in developing plots etc (5,7)
GREEN FINGERS:  A homophone (by the sound of it) of an English novelist is followed by a slang synonym of identifies or indicates 

18a   Rust a balcony developed in place for officers? (12)
CONSTABULARY:  An anagram (developed) of RUST A BALCONY 

21a   Refer to leaders of cult seen as backward or severe (7)
ASCETIC:  Join together “refer to” or name and the initial letters of (leaders of) CULT SEEN AS. Then obtain the answer as the reversal (backward) of that lot 

23a   Noise or otherwise, it's a feature of coastlines (7)
EROSION:  An anagram (otherwise) of NOISE OR 

24a   Business groups against type with capital from the East (9)
CONSORTIA:  Assemble against or anti, type or kind, and the reversal (from the East, in an across clue) of capital or first class 

25a   Queen in short time has round of intense activity (5)
WHIRL:  The Latin abbreviation for queen is inserted in all but the last letter (short) of a synonym of time 

26a   Period of time presented in gallery earlier (4)
YEAR:  The answer is hidden in (presented in) the remainder of the clue 

27a   Looking round home by turn in road -- and part of laundry (4-6)
SPIN-DRYING:  Looking secretly containing (round) both home or not away and the reversal (turn in) of the abbreviation for road 

 

Down

1d    Is French and English writer going up to get honour? (6)
ESTEEM:  IS in French followed by the single letter for English and the reversal (going up, in a down clue) of a pronoun that the writer of this clue could use for themselves 

2d    My  things scattered on the floor, perhaps (6)
CRUMBS:  An exclamation synonymous with My! could also be things that end up scattered on the floor after making or eating toast, for example 

3d    One in trite part ruined performance (14)
INTERPRETATION:  An anagram (ruined) of ONE IN TRITE PART 

4d    Bet a blow sadly overwhelms area in a weak state (2,1,3,3)
AT A LOW EBB:  An anagram (sadly) of BET A BLOW contains (overwhelms) the single letter for area

5d    A line associated with worthless band's work (5)
ALBUM:  Put together A from the clue, the single letter for line, and an informal (originally American) synonym of worthless 

7d    A disheartened triallist felt pain in a romantic relationship? (8)
ATTACHED:  Cement together A from the clue, the outer letters (disheartened) of TRIALLIST, and a verb meaning “felt pain” 

8d    Evergreen limes set for cultivation (8)
TIMELESS:  An anagram (for cultivation) of LIMES SET 

9d    Those detained in a series of engagements? (9,2,3)
PRISONERS OF WAR:  A topical cryptic definition. The engagements might be battles 

15d   Anticlimax revealing wand? (5,4)
FALSE DAWN:  The answer interpreted as cryptic wordplay produces WAND 

16d   Councillor facing rambling chat in southern yard becomes irritable (8)
SCRATCHY:  The abbreviation for councillor and an anagram (rambling) of CHAT are both sandwiched between (in) the single letter for southern and the single letter for yard 

17d   Two articles and piece in end about new feared creature (8)
ANACONDA:  Two grammatical articles followed by a concluding musical piece containing (about) the single letter for new 

19d   Sport endlessly followed by one in beachwear (6)
BIKINI:  All but the last letter (endlessly) of a sport that was in the news over the weekend is followed by the Roman one 

20d   Remove obstacle from a foreign advertisement (6)
UNPLUG:  A in the foreign language spoken where the aforementioned sporting event happened is followed by an advertisement or endorsement 

22d   Second person in France entering competition gets distressed (3,2)
CUT UP:  A second person pronoun used in France inserted in (entering) a sporting competition, such as the one organised by the FA

 

Thanks to today’s setter. Favourite clue has to be 6a because solving it took more a lot more effort than any of the others. Which clues did you like best?


The Quick Crossword pun:  BRIDLE + SWEET = BRIDAL SUITE


43 comments on “DT 30049

  1. Very enjoyable light diversion this morning – a different grid this morning from the previous three Tuesdays, so maybe a different anonymous setter, too, although it had their style? A very generous dollop of anagrams and very helpful longer clues resulted in a swift solve with plenty of smiles. Hon Mentions to 11a,13a, 21a, with COTD to my LOI, 15d – that penny dropped with a resounding clang.

    1.5* / 3*

    Many thanks to the setter and of course to Mr K

  2. I thought this a cut above recent Tuesdays and enjoyed it immensely, especially 15d, clearly my COTD, but I also liked 21a, 14a, 11a, and 13a (which I saw twice on Broadway and after which I joined a rousing, bellowing standing ovation). Really a little masterpiece of invention throughout, and I don’t mind the anagrams at all. Thanks to Mr K and to our mystery setter. ** / ****

    1. I must say that while I can imagine you joining in a standing ovation, even a rousing one, I find it difficult to conceive of you bellowing, however good the performance!

      1. An ear-splittingly loud, deafening roar, the likes of which I have never experienced anywhere else in the theatre. Both times I saw it (18 months apart). Well, you have to have been there. ‘Bellowing’ was the closest I could come to the sound.

  3. I really struggled with this puzzle and, when I finally finished it, had to look up the parsing in the review for 5 bung-ins. There’s no easy way to say it, I found a lot of the clues unappealing, with the cryptic definitions hard to follow and some of the ‘lego’ clues rather over-complicated. Withlittle in the way ofGeneral Knowledge clues it lacked that little change of pace and variety that makes a puzzle really enjoyable. Im sure many others might really enjoy it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. The best part was the anagrams like 18a and1a. Thanks to the compiler and to Kr K for the cats and the review.

  4. First run through, this is going to be difficult.
    But, then, entry starting in the SE and a steady solve in 3* time.
    Some brilliant clues, eg 14 and 21a and 15d.
    The last just by a whisker the COTD.
    Loved the unexpected in 13a.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr. K.

  5. 2*/2*. Nothing here to excite or frighten the horses, apart from a few unconvincing surfaces and the inclusion of an old and obscure 13a.

    Thanks to the setter, and also to Mr. K for his beautifully illustrated review.

  6. Enjoyable and light Tuesday fare with just a couple of pauses for the pennies to drop over 14&25a.
    No particular favourite but all good fun.

    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K plus the felines.

  7. Typically Tuesdayish, whoever the setter is, both in difficulty and enjoyment – 1.5*/4*.

    Favourite – a toss-up between 2d and 15d – and the winner is 15d.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

    How to find out who the setter is – in ‘early polling’ 15d seems to quite popular so write to our esteemed editor and nominate it for clue of the week – puzzleseditor@telegraph.co.uk – if it is selected, the name of the setter will be included in the announcement in the Newsletter.

    1. Oddly, and in direct opposition to most, 15d was my loi, on top of which I had to reveal a letter. Never heard the phrase. Mea culpa,not a complaint. Thanks anyway to Mysteron and MrK.

    2. Oh blimey! Have only just ‘got ‘ it despite finishing a couple of hours ago.

  8. A very enjoyable Tuesday challenge.

    12a backwards, written as (1,4,2), sounds like a relevant directive.

  9. I’m afraid I must disagree with the rating today. I thought it was a rather tricky little devil and judging by the hint for 11a so did Mr K.
    Took me something over *** time to complete this one.
    I found it a bit tedious with overly complicated clues and rather dull.
    Thx for the hints
    ***/**

    1. Agreed. It was rather like chewing and trying to swallow beeswax. An unusually frustrating puzzle in parts.

  10. Interesting crossword – some chuck-em-ins and some needing a lot of thought; no togas.
    I remember when our household acquired a 27a in the early 1960s and when it was switched on it would hurtle across the scullery floor, in the manner of a drunken aunt attempting to dance the cha-cha.

    Thanks to the setter and The Celebrated Mr K.
    Beatles on Tuesday:

  11. Chriscross and Brian have said it all and I agree so there is nothing more for me to say apart from thanking both the setter and Mr. K.

  12. For me a really enjoyable Tuesday puzzle and had I been blogging it I’d have concurred with Mr K on the difficulty level and added at least half a star, probably a full as I don’t usually bother with halves, for the enjoyment.
    Many thanks to the setter our aforementioned reviewer

  13. 2/3. In retrospect I can’t see what held me up for longer than it should take to complete this light puzzle. Perhaps 27C and too large a G&T (if there ever could be). Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  14. Solvable crossword but I felt some of the clueing was a little strange 🤔 ***/*** Favourites 6 and 13a. Thanks to Mr K and to the Compiler

  15. Well it takes all sorts, isn’t that the fun. Park me firmly in the “bay” marked very satisfied. Clipped through, lots of smiles and probably more ticks than I have put down for many a while. I’ll add to the 15d fan club.

  16. Found this a tricky puzzle in a few spots and some parsing hard to fathom.
    2*/3.5* today.

    Favourites today are 14a, 18a, 25a, 2d & 9d with 2d my winner

    Thanks to setter & Mr K

  17. I managed to finish it in 2 hours or so, between buying duvets, but I don’t really understand the plaudits for 15d. I have heard the phrase and can see an anagram for part of it but….maybe it’s just me.
    My favourite is 27a. Thanks to the setter, Mr K and to the bloggers for their insights.

    1. In 15d If you think of the first word of the answer as an anagrind for the second word you can see why it wins the CoTD contest.

      1. Gramphil
        Thanks for reply. I am still not sure I see it but will give it more thought.

  18. What an odd week so far. Unlike Brian and others this one suited me. So just a ** but only the same score on enjoyment factor which is very odd. As a novice I never know who the setter is unless it’s an obvious Thursday contributor but thank he or she and our hinter. How is Big Dave?

  19. One of those days when I found the Toughie easier. Needed quite a few hints to finish.
    I liked 14a as it is one of those gifts that have definitely passed me by!
    The quickie is impossible.

      1. I agree, MP and I always do them. However, I found today’s a tad difficult.

  20. I found this a trying slog with some questionable clues and little to lighten the load – I heaved a sigh of relief when I came to the end. Nothing resembling a Fav. Thank you Mysteron and MrK.

  21. Many opinions on this one ranging from ‘brilliant’ to ‘tedious’, and so my own feeling that this one might have been a little inconsistent seems to have been reflected in comments. It was a **/** for me, whereof I was not de-perched by any particular clue.

  22. I was getting along nicely with today’s offering but didn’t get 5d and13a without consulting the hints and only partly parsed 24a. Well, tomorrow is another day! Many thanks to the setter and Mr K. Not forgetting the lovely kitty pictures!

  23. Another vote for 15d as the pick of the clues. Not my favourite puzzle but still an enjoyably brisk solve – unlike the Dada Toughie which I’ve just glanced at & has yielded very little after the first read through.
    Thanks all.

  24. Finished in good time this morning, all well clued I thought, contrary to the majority view. Didn’t know the stage show but the answer was obvious from the checkers and I add my vote for the clever 15d.
    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.
    Note, the rain has reached us here on The Downs at last, too late to save the sunburnt flowers, but the lawns have started to recover.

  25. Not one for me. Got one wrong (20d). Guessed 15d without knowing why. Consequently I only put a circle round 9d. Thanks Setter and Mr K.

  26. Unusual to see such mixed reactions to a puzzle.

    Thanks to everyone who commented above.

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