Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Apologies for the disappearance of the blog on Saturday 4 July. A large number of bots flooded the site with requests, causing the blog to overload and deny access to regular users.
Mr K was able to find way to block the bots and restore normal service. … Continue reading
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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.
If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** Enjoyment ****
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog. I found today’s puzzle to be a step up in difficulty from the previous two days, with some general knowledge required and one or two rather obscure words, but everything is fairly clued. Amongst my favourites today are 22a, 25a, 26a, 2d and 24d, but the clue I liked best was 1a, for its brevity and very clever misdirection. There is also a superb Quickie pun. Many thanks to our setter for a thoroughly enjoyable workout.
Sunday Toughie No 231 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 28th of June 2026
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This puzzle was published on 28th June 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. An excellent and straightforward puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3375 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3717 by Shabbo
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Welcome to the Toughie Week. I have been expecting a Shabbo for a couple of weeks and I reckon he has spent the time since his last Toughie fermenting extra deviousness. I found this fairly tricky, and technically is a “DNF” as I had to call in the cavalry to help with the complete parsing of 1a. There are some absolutely cracking clues, with 9a, 12a, 20d and 27a in particular standing out for me. However, my top spot goes to the hilarious 8d.
Thanks, Shabbo, for an absolute blast.
Please let us know how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
Looks like we’re in for another hot one today so I think golf can wait for much later this afternoon when hopefully it will be a bit cooler.
I’d describe today’s Anthony Plumb offering as a workmanlike puzzle – perfectly pleasant but lacking a bit of his usual sparkle & on a par with yesterday in terms of difficulty. Maybe that’s just me so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it.
Our old Thursday reviewer is on duty in t’other place & his puzzles are always worth having a stab at. Today’s puzzle is very accessible. Whybird, as ever, will be delighted to hear your thoughts.
As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore. I’ve been working my way through Joe Bonamassa’s recorded live output (there’s a lot of it) hence 4 of his tunes.
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.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Ottawa where we seem to have followed in the footsteps of those of you on the other side of the pond and have recently been enduring temperatures above 30 degrees C. On Canada Day, July 1, a storm dumped nearly 5 inches of rain on Ottawa in a couple of hours resulting in widespread flooding and the cancellation of all afternoon and evening festivities on our national holiday. Among the casualties was my basement which experienced a sewer backup. I now have a mountain of sewage contaminated material sitting on my front lawn awaiting pickup.
I won’t even attempt to guess the identity of today’s setter but, whoever it may be. has given us a gentle and fun introduction to the crossword solving week.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.
Sunday Toughie No 232
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Many thanks to Mr-K for getting us up and running again. When I finally got to see the puzzle, I was pleasantly surprised but mentally challenged by proXimal.
I see from Phibs’ post that the other SJB (proXimal) has passed over editorship of the EV to Elgar. I hope that will give him plenty of opportunities to post more back-pagers like 31252 or Sunday Toughies like this.
All the trademarks are present – start with a Spoonerism and a couple of compound anagrams, but only one X today.
We have 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to reach the end, but I will try to give a nudge if asked.
Here we go, Folks…