ST 3234 (Full Review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3234

A full review by crypticsue

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This puzzle was published on 15^th October 2023

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Another Dada Sunday Prize Puzzle – this one had four reversals, eight anagrams and five double definitions in the mix of clues

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Across

1a    Unacceptable being whiter than white? (6,3,4)
BEYOND THE PALE – This expression meaning unacceptable sounds like something more white than white

9a    When email lost in the interim (9)
MEANWHILE – An anagram (lost) of WHEN EMAIL

10a    Looking back, entertained by dog, imaginary friend (5)
AMIGO – Hidden in reverse (looking back) in dOG IMAginary

11a    Last of three, a number consumed (5)
EATEN – The last letter of threE, A (from the clue) TEN (number)

12a    Crawl, or come across doing the backstroke? (4)
TEEM – Crawl in the sense of to be covered with – a reversal (doing the backstroke) of MEET (come across)

13a    Pack floor of ship (4)
DECK – Double definition

15a    End of cue on rest, wobbling, one can predict the result (7)
TIPSTER – TIP (end of snooker cue) on an anagram (wobbling) of REST

17a    Russian author opening revolutionary play (7)
TOLSTOY – A reversal (revolutionary) of SLOT (opening) followed by TOY (play)

18a    Most courageous case of broadsheet covering parties (7)
BRAVEST – The outside letters (case) of BroadsheeT ‘covering’ RAVES (parties)

20a    Epistle writer briefly has hidden behind table (7)
PLATEAU – Almost all (briefly) of PAUL (the Saint who wrote the Epistles) into which is inserted (has hidden( LATE (behind)

21a    Get together winning move (4)
MATE – Double definition, the second referring to the game of chess

22a    Country where yours truly was the law! (4)
IRAN – I (yours truly) RAN (was the law)

23a    Back in a second from sultanate (5)
OMANI – A reversal (back) of IN A MO (in a second)

26a    5 two away from Mercury? (5)
EARTH – An element or a planet found two away from Mercury

27a    Free Indonesian island to the left in a low area (9)
AVAILABLE – A reversal (to the left) of BALI (Indonesian island) inserted in A VALE (a low area)

28a    Medical recommendation to do with Red Cross abroad: that’s about right (7,6)
DOCTORS ORDERS – An anagram (abroad) of TO DO with RED CROSS, the abbreviation for Right being inserted

Down

1d    Two jumbos almost touching in slow-moving traffic? (6-2-6)
BUMPER-TO-BUMPER – Two lots of BUMPER (jumbo-sized) go round TO (almost closed or touching)

2d    Still dressing in the role of baker’s helper (5)
YEAST – YET (still) ‘dressing) AS (in the role of)

3d    Hand went on ground occasionally (3,3,4)
NOW AND THEN – An anagram (ground) of HAND WENT ON

4d    Birdsong as means of communication? (7)
TWITTER – Double definition, although now the second has changed its name to X, it isn’t quite as useful for crossword setters!

5d    Coil in electrical device, iron say (7)
ELEMENT – Double definition

6d    A whip cut, I’m sorry to say (4)
ALAS – A (from the clue) and a truncated LASh (whip)

7d    Pine tree, conifer originally shaken where the ground first shook (9)
EPICENTRE – An anagram (shaken) of PINE TREE and the original letter of Conifer

8d    Mischief from crook finally breaking into bank, say? (6,8)
MONKEY BUSINESS – K (the final letter of crook) inserted into MONEY BUSINESS (bank, say)

14d    All clear of rash, possible item prescribed by vet? (4,6)
FLEA COLLAR – An anagram (rash) of ALL CLEAR OF

16d    Under the table, covered (9)
PLASTERED – Double definition, the second and the solution being euphemisms for being drunk

19d    Big blow, donator proving unreliable (7)
TORNADO – An anagram (proving unreliable) of DONATOR

20d    Those communicating from afar writing page on development of Naples (3,4)
PEN PALS – P (page) on an anagram (development) of NAPLES

24d    Go walking, or risk not starting? (5)
AMBLE – gAMBLE (risk) without its first letter (not starting)

25d    Sweet candy here, or confection first of all (4)
CHOC – The first letters of Candy Here Or Confection