DT 28528 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28528 (Hints)

by Big Dave  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28528 (Hints)

Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club

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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.

Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.

A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Some hints follow.

Across

1a    I’d recalled tucking into impulsive item for salad (6)
The reversal of I’D inside an adjective meaning impulsive

4a    Rough strikebreaker’s going to stir endlessly (8)
A colloquial word for a strikebreaker followed by a verb meaning to stir from sleep without its final letter (endlessly)

10a    Note hobby that gets one hooked takes time (8)
To get this musical note put a “hobby that gets one hooked” around T(ime)

11a    Detective arresting the old thugs, reportedly showing colours (9)
One of our usual detectives around the old word for “the” followed by what sounds like (reportedly) some thugs

17a    Don’t put in sir’s tooth wonky! They should straighten it out (13)
DON’T inside an anagram (wonky) of SIR’S TOOTH gives the people who could straighten out a wonky tooth

24a    Fine material in newspaper to stop (8)
A word for a newspaper followed by a verb meaning to stop or cease to exist

25a    Poor nun reaching end of Eucharist gets wine (6)
A member of an order of nuns noted for being “poor” followed by the final letter (end) of [Eucharis]T

27a    It may delete items from cameras erroneously (6)
Hidden (from) inside the clue

Down

1d    Live on edge (6)
A two-letter word meaning on or concerning followed by an edge

2d    Lorna’s accepted temptation to make a contribution (2,4,3)
The surname of Lorna from the eponymous book by R. D. Blackmore followed by a verb that could mean accepted temptation, as did Adam and Eve with the apple in the Garden of Eden

3d    Fuel vessel in hurry (7)
A “vessel” used to store solid fuel by the fireplace is also a verb meaning to hurry

5d    Bring into church, with introduction of Irishman, this old Tory (5,6)
A verb meaning to bring, a small child for example, into the church around (with introduction) a typical Irish first name gives the name of this former Conservative minister

12d    Healthy knight on board’s speciality, picking up a grand (3,3,1,4)
A three-letter adjective meaning healthy followed by a speciality of a knight on the chessboard around the A from the clue

16d    Discovers reason to worry when England’s batting (5,3)
The name of the current England cricket captain has proved to be useful to crossword setters! – fans have reason to worry when this happens to him (4’1,3)

18d    In exam clamour to get a first or second perhaps (7)
A spoken examination around a clamour gives the type of number of which first or second is an example (perhaps)

22d    Rascal with Irish accent getting tip-off? (5)
Start with a word for an Irish accent and drop (off) its initial letter (tip)

The Crossword Club is now open.

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

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The Quick Crossword pun: hammer+chewer=amateur

55 comments on “DT 28528 (Hints)”

    1. Thank you for thinking of me, Jose, but – as you will see from my comment – I did meet the man in question courtesy of ********!

  2. Not quite as much of a Toughie as last Saturday, but head scratching and use of Chambers required to enable finishing at a canter – ***/***.

    I think there are one or two clues that will get some comments – 25a and 16d for example.

    Favourite – 10a – quite clever.

    Thanks to the setter and BD.

    1. Loved 25a. I thought it was clever for its simplicity. I do not think anyone could complain about it. I am not an expert on Nuns but the Order was very familiar.

      1. But, aren’t clues needing knowledge of religious orders similar to clues needing sporting knowledge? Not everyone’s ‘cup of tea.’

        1. Perhaps Senf but I think there is a difference between knowing of a religious order and the name of a particular nun and the rules of cricket with the name of a particular cricketer. I admit it is a fine line and would probably find Mother Theresa acceptable.

          1. I liked it. It was a bung-in, but I learnt the revelence of the order from Wikipedia, I learnt something new.

  3. There were probably better clues, but being a cricket nut I loved 16d. Last one in In was 11a. I thought this was a thoughtful and entertaining puzzle for a Saturday, and 2*/4* overall.

    Thanks to the setter and BD.

  4. What a relief after yesterday which I am sad to say completely confounded me. 10 23 and 25a wer favourites for their simplicity (once solved!). NE was last to fall partly because I had all sorts of ideas about 5d all of which were way off the mark. Finally got 4a, 6d, 10a and 3d in that order. Of course 3d not NE but I had forgotten it! I had another idea which would fit but would not parse so luckily I ran through the alphabet and Hey Presto! Thanks to solver and BD. Will now look at the hints to check on my parsing in general. May even go back to yesterday’s which currently sports only 12 answers.

  5. Another goodie to end a fun cruciverbal week. 4a guessed thanks to first four letters. 5d OK for UK senior citizens like yours truly but possibly not well known these days to younger/overseas bloggers. 12d took a while to properly parse. Liked tip-off in 22d but Fav was 16d once I had sorted out. Thanks Mysteron and, as always, BD. Quickie pun a bit far-fetched except perhaps for East Enders!

  6. Thanks Dave, quite tricky I thought, but doable, with a bit of help!
    I did not know the material for 24a, materials and stars are a big gap in my GK.
    The colours beat me in 11a, I missed the significance on “the old”. Thanks for the hint.
    16d was a sinch for me, but I think some non UK residents and non-followers of the game may struggle.
    Fav was 10a, though I suspect it’s an old chestnut.
    Thanks also to Mr.Ron.

  7. A nice gentle Saturday puzzle, but I have to admit that if I’d been doing this under exam conditions I wouldn’t have got full marks. While I could easily infer the knight’s speciality, I had to look up part of another clue (not going to say which!) to find that the answer I’d confidently entered wasn’t quiiite right.

    Thanks to the setter and BD.

    I am keeping all my paws crossed for Merusa and BusyLizzie. May you, and others in its path, stay safe from the storm.

  8. It’s a rather unpleasant morning in South Cheshire and so this puzzle has brightened the gloom… I particularly liked 2d, which reminded me of my childhood when Woolworths sold all the classics in hardback, and 16d too which, unsurprisingly, brought a smile to my face.

  9. I really enjoyed this one and, contrary to expectations, 16d didn’t cause a problem as I’d met the guy in question **********! Proof, I suppose, that tackling all manner of crosswords brings its rewards.

    Hard to pick a favourite but I’ll go for a top three of 1&2d with 25a taking bronze medal position.

    Many thanks to Mr. Saturday Ron and to BD for the club.

    PS Back down to IOW tomorrow to check up on the progress of my new grandson, so will be absent from the blog for a week. I have sent in the necessary pink slip to Kath so have official permission. I do hope that Merusa, Lizzie and all others affected by Irma get through the next few days relatively unscathed.

      1. So sorry, BD – you would have thought I’d have known all the rules by now!
        Will disappear off to IOW with tail between legs.

    2. Thanks Jane. Can we come with you to IOW, love that island 😊

      Ran out of toner this morning, so cannot print crosswords, darn. Probably won’t have power tomorrow anyway. But we have our Telegraph crossword books so all is not lost.

      Good luck to Merusa and everyone else.

  10. Not my cup of tea at all today.

    Needed lots of the hints as well as electronic help.

    A disappointing start to the weekend for me.

    Thanks to the setter and to Big Dave.

  11. Not at all a walk in the park for me this Saturday. I got 11a after a lot of effort and understood it fully only after BD’s explanation.I have read the novel as a schoolboy otherwise might have struggled with 2d. I liked 16d but it does the current team which bats deep and well a disservice. Stokes et al have reason to be miffed.

  12. Quite tricky but it did contain what for me was the greatest crossword clue of all time – 16d, absolutely BRILLIANT. I agree that for non-cricket fans it would be tricky but for those us who follow the game of bat on willow it is unsurpassed. 😀😀😀
    Not sure I understand the ref to bottles in 21a although the answer is obvious.
    Must admit the poor nun reference held me up for a while but Google came to the rescue.
    For me ***/***** if only for 16d.
    Thx to all esp the setter.

    1. I think ‘bottles’ indicates that the Inland Revenue is inside (bottled by) a note and 500.
      Well, this had its moments, not least of which the now notorious 16d. But, to be fair, I know zippo about cricket but realised it had to be something like that and so googled the England team and Bingo! So totally fair, I thought. Same principle applies to overseas solvers who are unfamiliar with 5d – it is all work-able out-able!
      12d was a similar case in point.
      I particularly liked 11a ( a little fiendish), 17a (ouch . . . .), 25a and 19d, the latter because I like anything to do with dogs.
      Many thanks to setter and to Big Dave.

  13. I had a rather pleasant lunch in the garden with the sun shining. The weather then turned, so I disappeared indoors to settle down with the crossword. Younger son was flipping tv channels between the cricket and the Saracens v Bath rugby. How it took me so long to get 16d when I am a cricket fan is beyond me. Well done setter. Thank you BD for the review and for all the wonderful work you do to keep this site up and running. Very much appreciated.

  14. Soon over but very pleasant.

    I actually remembered our anniversary today – flowers, card and chocolates, and will go to Ghurka Dining tonight to celebrate 17 years of subservience, I mean joy.

    3. Shamus on Thursday, now you.
      Why is everybody teasing me with their curries?
      I envy you.
      Have a great time.

      1. Yesterday, my 49th milestone, I was treated to organic, 30 days matured sirloin steak with duck eggs and sauteed potato. Divine.
        Lady LBR also entertained me with a puzzle of her own creation; she solved my latest in less than an hour – she’s getting good at this lark!
        Baked potato tonight – oh well, back to normal…

        Any sign of rain yet?
        Hopes and prayers to those in peril, hope you all stay safe.

        1. We finally had a bit of rain and a couple of thunderstorms between midday and 7pm but nothing compared with what is happening on the other side of the pond. It was very welcomed and enough to stop the entire population from going out. Typical.

  15. A haven’t finished yet but just checking in to say so far, so good!
    I’ve spent the morning on the phone, everyone checking on me, Wales, Scotland, England, Cleveland and Jamaica. So nice to know I’m loved!
    The storm has nudged to the west and will now hit Naples, where so many Miamians evacuated to. Miami will still be on the dirty side.
    We’ll soon get more winds, my shutters are already clacketing away and will only get worse.
    Hope you do well, BusyLizzie. I’ve got several audiobooks and an old battery powered CD player that I’ve unearthed.

    2. Merusa, Our neighbors scuttled over to the west coast on Thursday, think they will regret that. The westward nudge is a blessing for us but bad for that part of the state. Just shows you never know which way to run, and usually better to stay put if you have a solid house with shutters. Hoping not to lose power like some unlucky areas already. Made plenty of sandwiches and iced lattes are in the fridge. Enjoy your Famous Grouse.

  16. Had to come on the blog to check the hint for 16d, leave to check on Google and come back to post.
    2d and 12d were the hardest to parse.
    Remembered the Tory in 5d and the nun in 25a.
    Thanks to the setter and to BD for the Saturday club.

  17. Now finished. Last in was the old Tory, don’t know why for I remember him.
    I rather liked 2d and 12d.
    Thanks to the Saturday setter and to BD.

    1. I remembered him because he gave the keys back to Hong Kong. He had two lovely yorkies named whiskey and soda.

  19. I liked it and found it quite straightforward – despite having a really thick head this morning following plenty of red wine yesterday at Lords (and a couple of pints down the pub in the evening) – a bonus is that after a real session (particularly on red wine) my blood sugar levels are really low.

    The only one that caused me grief was 16d – I had an answer but was unhappy with it – after a rethink I finally came up with the proper answer.

  20. Not too tricky I thought today. A little trouble at the close on 16d and 24ac, but the rest caused few problems.

  22. 2*/3*, l think. Might have been quicker had l been able to print it legibly (l use the e-paper version of the DT, and it seems to have stopped printing selected portions of pages); as it was, l was squinting at tiny, fuzzy text through a magnifying glass. I liked 10a and 16d particularly. Thanks to the setter, and BD.

    I too send best wishes, for what they are worth, to all those affected by Irma or awaiting her arrival.

  23. Thanks to the setter and to Big Dave for the hints. A very enjoyable puzzle, but quite tricky. I’m a cricket fan, but I had 16d wrong. Needed some hints to parse a few. Some very interesting clues, but my favourite was 8d. Was 3*/3* for me.

  24. 12d – I must be having a senior moment, but , although I got the answer, I still don’t understand fully – can someone tell me xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Molto ta, Almo

    1. It says very clearly in red letters under the post that you mustn’t include any answers, whole, partial or incorrect in your comments.

      BD’s hint couldn’t be any clearer on how 12d works

        1. crypticsue – I’ve just noticed that the hint referred to had an illustration complete with caption giving the whole, complete, answer !!

  25. I didn’t have time to do this one yesterday and neither was there enough time for the NTSPP which means I have enough of a backlog to keep me quiet for a while.
    I thought this was quite tricky and very good.
    It took me ages to realise that we were after a specific ‘old Tory’ for 5d and even having remembered his name I needed the hint to see why.
    I also needed the hint to understand 12d – can’t ‘do’ chess so I had no idea about the ‘speciality’.
    Needless to say the first bit of 16d took forever! :roll: as I did actually know his name.
    I thought 15a was a good anagram.
    I liked 10 and 14a.
    Thanks to whoever set this one and to BD for the hints.
    Now – which shall I do next, the NTSPP or today’s cryptic?

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