DT 26398 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 26398

by Libellule  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26398

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Top quality stuff from the Monday Maestro. Lots of nice clues to choose as possible favourites, but 28a gets the vote from Gazza and I today.

If you cannot work out the answer from the hint, please highlight the space between the curly brackets.

Across

1. Trying to procure foreign currency in great volume (11)
{TROUBLESOME} – A word that means difficult to deal with, consists of TOME (a great volume) with Russian currency placed inside.

9. Ocean silt may be stranded here (9)
{COASTLINE} – An anagram (may be) of OCEAN SILT for the sort of land adjacent to the sea, where you are likely see silt deposited.

10. Concentrate on the film? (5)
{FOCUS} – A word for the concentrating one’s attention, is also used to describe adjusting a lens, for example to produce a clear image.

11. Peephole for a viewer to lease (6)
{EYELET} – Definition is peephole, take EYE (a viewer) and add another word for lease or rent.

12. To be conspicuous, don’t sit inside (5,3)
{STAND OUT} – The opposite of sitting inside would make you conspicuous.

13. Start to show to advantage (3,3)
{SET OFF} – A double definition, cause to occur, or accentuate or distinguish something.

15. To put at risk on purpose is a sin (8)
{ENDANGER} – END (purpose) is then followed by a synonym for one of the seven deadly sins to give a word that means to expose to harm.

18. Comb manufacturer (5,3)
{HONEY BEE} – The sort of comb that might be found in a hive.

19. Remarks we’re not supposed to hear as edge comes into it (6)
{ASIDES} – The sort of remarks that are stage whispers, can be created by putting another word for an edge inside AS.

21. Cat given alternative to din after midnight (8)
{TOMORROW} – The day after today, TOM (cat), a two letter word for alternative, and then another word for an uproar.

23. One member bearing harm (6)
{IMPAIR} – I (one), followed by the abbreviation for a Member of Parliament, and a word that describes your personal manner or bearing.

26. After accident, had no motor-cycle? (5)
{HONDA} – An anagram (accident) of HAD NO.

27. Bill I need changing can’t be changed (9)
{INDELIBLE} – Another anagram (changing) of BILL I NEED is something that is impossible to remove or wash away.

28. Why not have power, too? (5,2,4)
{MIGHT AS WELL} – This raised a wry smile. A phrase that indicates that it is probably better to do something than not to do it, could also be applied to someone else who could take charge.

Down

1. Watches teachers marking correctly? (7)
{TICKERS} – Another word for clocks, is also the symbol that a teacher would put inside your exercise book if you got something correct.

2. Like an egg — veto a pie (5)
{OVATE} – An anagram (pie) of VETO A.

3. A stroke or a comma, maybe (9)
{BUTTERFLY} – A swimming stroke, is also a species of the order Lepidoptera.

4. Truss up about ten and depart (4)
{EXIT} – Another word for to leave, can be made from a word meaning to truss reversed (up), around X (Roman numeral for ten).

5. Nuance obvious to an individual (8)
{OVERTONE} – A word meaning open to view or observable is then followed by ONE (an individual). Definition, nuance.

6. Delicate and charming female trapped by rising river (5)
{ELFIN} – Place F (female) inside a reversed (rising) Egyptian river.

7. Is it after five or later he calls? (7)
{VISITOR} – IS IT is placed after V (Roman numeral for five) and then OR.

8. Creation, say, of sudden and natural occurrence (3,2,3)
{ACT OF GOD} – The first two chapters of the Book of Genesis are also this.

14. Dwelling for the people, in principle (8)
{TENEMENT} – Put MEN (the people) inside another word for a belief or opinion to give an apartment building.

16. Sees lambs going round in flocks together (9)
{ASSEMBLES} – An anagram (going round) of SEES LAMBS.

17. Getting fit (8)
{BECOMING} – Is also a word that can mean pleasing or attractive.

18. Woodcutter is buried in peace (7)
{HATCHET} – The sort of tool you might stick in the ground if you wanted to stop arguing.

20. A ruler’s affected, living in a dream world (7)
{SURREAL} – An anagram (affected) of A RULERS is an odd dream like quality, characterised by Salvador Dali.

22. True capital of Moroccan kingdom (5)
{REALM} – No it’s not Rabat. Another word for true is followed by M (capital of Morrocan) for a territory over which a sovereign rules

24. Walk like a doctor in drink? (5)
{AMBLE} – The abbreviation for Bachelor of Medicine is put inside another word for beer is also a leisurely stroll.

25. Rise in current is correct (4)
{TIDE} – Reverse the periodic variation in sea level, to get a word that means to prepare something for publication.

56 comments on “DT 26398”

  1. Not the most difficult Rufus today but a delight to solve. All over far too quickly but at least there is an equally enjoyable puzzle from him in the Guardian today to prolong the pleasure. Many thanks to Rufus for the entertainment and to Libellule for the review.

  2. I would agree with the above from Prolixic, Libellule and gazza. I’ll take a squizz at the Guardian later on.
    Thanks to Libellule and to Rufus

  3. I enjoyed this today but as you say Prolixic all over far too quickly, liked 7d and 28a Thanks Rufus and Libellule

  4. Another lovely crossword from Rufus, have I mentioned ‘once or twice’ that he is my favourite setter :-D lots of clues I liked today, agree with 28a, also liked 18a, 26a and simple though it might be my favourite today wa 18d, a nice one for any of the CC trying for a day out! Off to search out a washing machine the other has finally given up and been relegated to the garage!

    1. Sorry forgot to say good morning Libelulle and thanks for the review, I had to check one out with you17d, though its what I thought I don’t really like this one, sorry Rufus :)

  6. Still suffering from the weekend excesses so I found this a struggle, 1a just seemed to be a string of words that meant nothing to me so I am grateful for the blog.
    Thanks to Rufus, and to Libellule.

      1. Sorry for the late reply Mary, Mrs N wanted silver place mats for Christmas so she must be obeyed. I have been in every shop in Newcastle. Anyway we entertained a couple of friends on Sat night that we last saw in France and they came laden with gifts, one of which was a bottle of Courvoisier. We dined on pink grapefriut and feta, followed by sambocca with new potatoes and haricot vert and a couple of bottles of Sancerre. Mrs N provided her speciality ‘thomas’s flan’ which went down a treat along with a selection of cheeses and a full bodied claret. It was at this point in the evening that things became a little blurred and cognac was mentioned. I am told after the dancing and ‘good nights’ I dutifully cleaned my teeth and went to bed. I don’t know what all the fuss is about but Mrs N has demanded total subserviance and so I know my place.
        I hope your washing machine arrives.

  10. Very pleasant crossword, even if not too taxing. Just about right for a Monday. Thanks Rufus.
    Unfortunately I haven’t the time for the Grauniad Rufus this morning, maybe this evening. The Quiptic, by Arachne, is pretty good today if you fancy a change, and the fifteen squared blog is by Big Dave!.
    Thanks for the blog Libellule.

  11. A very enjoyable puzzle and the Grauniad is a good one too. Must be my quickest ever ‘Rufus Monday’ double solve, sad to say, again all over too quickly.

  12. No problems today once I’d sorted out 13a – started by getting it right but that made 3d look like an unlikely word so changed the second three letter word to ‘out’ – then changed it back again! Lots of very enjoyable clues – 1, 18, 21 and 28a and 3, 7, and 18d. Very cold and hoggy first thing this morning but sunny now although still cold. Off for dog walk soon. Thanks to Rufus and Libellule.

  16. The usual smooth, slick and seamless puzzle from Rufus – thanks to him & to M’sieur L for the review.

  17. In agreement with the others..a lovely solve today. 18d my favourite. Can someone tell me why pie is the anagram indicator in 2d please?

    Thanks to Rufus and Libellule.

      1. Thank you. Never come across this in cryptics before. Not easy to even find reference to it on internet. I live and learn.

        1. There used to be a pub in Newcastle near the ‘Evening Chronicle’ offices called ‘The Printer’s Pie’

  19. Very enjoyable Monday puzzle from Rufus today, thank you. Lots of good clues so hard to pick a favourite but I did like 21a and 28a especially. Thanks to Libellule for the review.

    1. I’m here, Mary. Was interrupted in mid-comment by a friend wanting help with a long translation, so I’ve been off for a while. I hope you’re feeling better about the mouth and that your new washing machine works wonders — when it arrives.
      :-)

      1. Hello Franny thought you’d got lost somewhere with Lea, mouth is ok thanks until the new work starts but I can’t get a decent note out of my flute at the moment! Isn’t it strange how we depend so much on machines now, I didn’t even have a washing machine when I got married in 1971!

        1. Mary – I will be late around tomorrow as well as am going to venture out and going to get a bit of pampering in – going for a pedicure. Still can’t bend so need someone to look after my feet!!!!

    2. I’ve been missing today Mary – sorry – haven’t even downloaded the puzzlre but think I will now as everyone enjoyed it so much. Had physio and did some chores (which always take longer than they should) so haven’t had a chance.

      Glad to hear you got your washing machine sorted out. When I came to the UK in 1970 my machine criteria were a washing machine AND a tumble drier. We had them at home and couldn’t see why I couldn’t have them here. Luckily my husband agreed so I got them.

  21. This made a very agreeable start to a grey, wet Monday, though I’m kicking myself for being so slow to get 18a, which stopped me finishing for some time. But thanks, Rufus, for such a good puzzle, and to Libellule for the hints. I agree that 28a was the best clue, but the one that made me laugh was 26a.
    :-)

  24. Hope Mary’swashing machine arrives on Wed and more importantly, and I speak from experience, that it fits. Nice workout today with some great clues. Favs 18d 21 26 28.

    1. yes, as an afterthought, upthecreek, that’s exactly where I’ll be if it doesn’t!! I was assured by the boy in the shop that it would?????

  26. Straightforward puzzle today but this didn’t detract from the enjoyment factor. Favourite clue was 28a. Didn’t know that pie is a printing term.

  27. Late to it but enjoyed doing it – didn’t take too long but a nice puzzle nevertheless. My favourites were 18a and 28a.

    Thanks to Rufus and Libellule.

  28. Need to disagree a bit on this one. Needed half a dozen hints and still trying to get 17d. So I found a bit tricky. 1a & bottom left corner caused most probs. Didn’t enjoy it that much either but did like 18a & 1d. Sorry to be negative

    1. Hi Ainsley
      No need to apologise – sometimes you’re on the setter’s wavelenght and sometimes not.
      No pasanada!

        1. Its always the same Ainsley, as Pommers says, sometimes a puzzle everyone finds really easy and enjoyable I struggle with, you never can tell, so you’re not negative just honest :)

  30. Usual gentle start to the week from Rufus.
    Best for me : 1a, 18a, 28a, 3d, 8d, 17d & 18d.

    BTW Libellule, prepositions govern the accusative case in English – so in your opening remarks to the post – …from Gazza and ME – s’il vous plait.

    No hard feelings meant!

    1. So its good night from I, methinks! Thought I’d put a word in for 9a as my favourite clue. Great crossword, thanks to all.

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