Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog. If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.
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BD Rating – Difficulty 2* – Enjoyment 4.5*
A very good Thursday morning from Winnipeg where Autumn is beginning to be in the air!
For me, and I stress for me© (I have to say that for Terence), not a Dream Team Thursday, Kcit is on Toughie duty. But, there is no doubt that this is the very entertaining work of the Master of Brevity. The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance from the Queen, Ray T’s swEetheart, and the plain sweetheart in the back pager. Also, like Dada, Ray T still seems to be making occasional use of a personal thesaurus. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
A crossword that took me exactly the same time to solve as today’s 3* backpager; what turned it into a Toughie was the time I spent trying to completely parse 32a.
I will be interested to see whether other solvers are tempted to use that phrase regarding the ease of solving the clues, the use of which is not encouraged here on Big Dave’s Blog
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog. For me, this was the hardest puzzle of the week so far, but not too tricky for a Wednesday. Amongst my favourite clues today were 9a, 12a and 20d, but first place goes to the Northampton cobblers in 8d. Many thanks to our setter.
Sunday Toughie No 240 by Light
Full Review by Gazza
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This puzzle was published on 30/08/26
A very enjoyable puzzle from Light this week.
Across Clues
1a Loud claps accompanying flashes of brilliance?… Continue reading
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This puzzle was published on 30th August 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A very entertaining Sunday prize puzzle from Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of the same for your kind perusal and important feedback. Continue reading “ST 3384 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3753 by Beam
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ****
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****
Well it’s been a damp start to the day here in Harpenden and there seems to be plenty more to come. Fortunately tomorrow looks ok for ⛳️ which I’m looking forward to having shot my lowest gross score for 3 years yesterday – no doubt a freakish aberration.
Today we have the usual gentle Tuesday puzzle from Anthony Plumb which as ever is nicely clued throughout & very enjoyable. I thought it a little trickier than yesterday so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it.
Ray T is on duty over in t’other place with a very gentle anagram free Beamer that really isn’t more, if at all, difficult than this one so well worth having a stab at. Whybird is on hand with some afternoon tunes & to provide a nudge if required.
As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
Hello. It’s Monday, and the start of a new crosswording week. Our children still aren’t back at school yet (one starts on Wednesday and t’other on Thursday). Maybe I should suggest they have a go at this crossword?
On Saturday we visited RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate, where we saw this impressive Kingfisher:
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As seems to be usual with Telegraph Towers, the first puzzle of the month is slow to appear. I got this at about quarter past midnight, but sped through this fairly quickly for a Zandio. 23d and 18d needed a bit of thought but I think I have parsed them now.
I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling; just ask. We have pulses here 4d and in the Dada 27a with Senf. Are the setters on a bit of a health kick? With all the healthy eating you are entitled to an extra 12a for afters
Here We Go…