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DT 30007

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30007

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** -  Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome. Today’s puzzle is just the sort of thing we have come to expect on a Tuesday. 

In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background. Clicking on a picture will enlarge it or display a bonus illustration and a hover (computer) or long press (mobile) might explain more about the picture. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Take unnecessary risk parking next to lawyer if hit, possibly (4,4,4)
PLAY WITH FIRE:  The map abbreviation for parking with an anagram (possibly) of LAWYER IF HIT 

9a    No egoism worries about student's new term (9)
NEOLOGISM:  An anagram (worries) of NO EGOISM containing (about) the letter indicating a student or learner driver

10a   We cut grass before husband's fury (5)
WRATH:  Put together all but the last letter (cut) of WE from the clue, grass or sing, and the genealogical abbreviation for husband 

11a   Fisherman's rage holding line (6)
ANGLER:  A synonym of rage containing (holding) the single letter for line 

12a   Opening  grip (8)
ENTRANCE:  Two definitions of the same word, each with a different pronunciation 

13a   The drink with relative flavour (6)
SEASON:  Something known informally as “the drink” with a male relative 

15a   Natural tendency is to admit nothing initially before time in court (8)
INSTINCT:  Concatenate IS from the clue containing (to admit) the initial letter of NOTHING, the physics symbol for time, IN from the clue, and the map abbreviation for court 

18a   Chap almost embraces education that is very old-fashioned (8)
MEDIEVAL:  All but the last letter (almost) of a chap or man contains (embraces) the fusion of the abbreviation for education, the Latin abbreviation for “that is”, and the single letter for very 

19a   Provoked about American editor (6)
CAUSED:  Link together the Latin abbreviation for about or approximately, an abbreviation for American, and the abbreviation for editor 

21a   Doctor gets me in consultations (8)
MEETINGS:  An anagram (doctor) of GETS ME IN 

23a   Left impressed by manners flipping infrequently (6)
SELDOM:  The single letter for left contained by (impressed by) the reversal (flipping) of manners or ways 

26a   Peoples'  careers (5)
RACES:  Double definition, the second being a verb 

27a   Relaxing outside university with tutorial finally ending (9)
RESULTING:  A synonym of relaxing containing (outside) both the single letter for university and the final letter of TUTORIAL 

28a   Showed me dad's rotten bananas (12)
DEMONSTRATED:  An anagram (bananas) of ME DAD’S ROTTEN 

 

Down

1d    Imprison China's correspondents (3,4)
PEN PALS:  Trap or imprison with what China can mean in rhyming slang 

2d    Urge to support adult in company (5)
ALONG:  Urge or desire comes after (to support, in a down clue) the single letter for adult 

3d    Healthy ladies endlessly concealing flaws (9)
WHOLESOME:  All but the last letter (endlessly) of another word for ladies containing (concealing) flaws or gaps 

4d    Grasp  small branch (4)
TWIG:  A straightforward double definition 

5d    Ladylike artist, excellent frames (8)
FEMININE:  A fairly contemporary artist contained by a synonym of excellent (excellent frames) 

6d    Redgrave perhaps first in rehearsal after argument with European (5)
ROWER:  The first letter in REHERSAL comes after both an argument and the single letter for European. The perhaps indicates a definition by example 

7d    Wants no leader's salary (8)
EARNINGS:  Wants or desires minus its first letter (… no leader) 

8d    Danger which keeps the Queen upset (6)
THREAT:  A synonym of “which” contains (keeps) the reversal (upset, in a down clue) of the Latin abbreviation for Quuen Elizabeth 

14d   Hearing car in Parisian church (8)
AUDIENCE:  Assemble a  fancy Volkswagen, the French word for “in”, and the abbreviation for the Church of England 

16d   Tell raver off -- one's experiencing a trip (9)
TRAVELLER:  An anagram (off) of TELL RAVER 

17d   Changing anorak, go for jumper (8)
KANGAROO:  An anagram (changing) of ANORAK GO 

18d   Souvenir from some uplifting city -- Rome, maybe (6)
MEMORY:  The answer is hidden in the reversal of (some uplifting …) the remainder of the clue 

20d   Embankment, old and broken (7)
DAMAGED:  Join synonyms of embankment and of old 

22d   Is to take legal action against kids (5)
ISSUE:  IS from the clue with “to take legal action against” 

24d   Stray dog's lead split (5)
DRIFT:  The first letter (…’s lead) of DOG with a split or tear 

25d   Operates vehicles leaving Belgium (4)
USES:  Some passenger-carrying vehicles minus the IVR code for Belgium (leaving Belgium) 

 

Thanks to today’s setter. My favourite clue today was 27a. Which clues did you like best?

The Quick Crossword pun:  PRY + VET + HIGHS = PRIVATE EYES or PRIVATISE

52 comments on “DT 30007”

  1. Typically Tuesday. Straightforward with just enough to keep it interesting.
    Liked 13,23&27a plus 1d. Good fun.
    Thanks to the setter and to Mr K.
    I imagine most people on here will have little trouble with today’s Toughie.

      1. Thanks for the steer on the Toughie – I only tend to try it when commenters agree it’s on the easier end of the spectrum! Today’s was within my grasp indeed, though I’m waiting for help in parsing 18a. Enjoyed today’s back pager too – */*** for me.

          1. Re 18a in the Toughie – I’m also struggling. Definition is pretty obvious, then there’s a 6-letter word for “people showing promise” with a 3-letter word *** inside. BRB defines “*** in” as “perform[ed] towards completing a total”, so perhaps “added up” = “*** in”? But seems a bit tenuous – strange, as the rest of the Toughie is excellent and (difficulty-wise) what might be expected on a Tuesday.

            1. That was as far as I could get as well, Fez, but it does seem somewhat dubious in a Chalicea puzzle.

              1. I hadn’t realised it was Chalicea. In which case, it has to be BRB-compliant! And BRB has the simpler *** = “add[ed]” (def.7) … and also has “up” as “to or in an inner … part of” (preposition, def.3). I’ve never seen “up” used as an insertion indicator like this, though … perhaps the “up” is simply an editing mistake, supposed to be “in”? Anyway, will see what the blog has to say and perhaps Chalicea herself may help us out!

                  1. Amusing that we are discussing that Toughie clue here. I was actually solving this Tuesday cryptic and the Toughie with my husband (who hadn’t seen either and is briefly in hospital – didn’t know it was mine – he found it an easy Tuesday Toughie but liked the setter’s style – big smile from me!). That clue held him up too, though the answer was evident. Yes, the ‘up’ was an insertion indicator to put the PUT into COMERS. This clue was tweaked into its present form by the new assistant puzzles editor and had me struggling too but it was a Toughie, after all.

                    2. New Assistant Editor – One. Miffypops – Nil
                      I’ll be working on that one. Thanks for explaining Chalicea

    2. I agree with you about the Toughie. Probably more straightforward than this backpager.

      1. Definitely more straightforward. I’m struggling with this having sailed through the Toughir.

  2. Very enjoyable while it lasted, a good coffee-break challenge with plenty of amusement. Nothing esoteric, mostly very straightforward, but a few that required a bit more thought. Hon Mentions to 13a and 15a (good surface); 5d, 14d, 17d & 18d. COTD to 1d – a more pointed observation than previously one might have expected in the DT!

    1.5* / 3*

    Many thanks to the setter and of course to Mr K

  3. 27a and 1d share the honours for top spot this morning from this pretty straightforward yet enjoyable puzzle. The sun has just out in an appearance here so the Toughie and a garden chair beckon.

    Many thanks to our setter and Mr K.

  4. Straightforward but excellent this */**** offering with useful anagrams and some cracking clues. My favourite was 18a which was also my last one in. Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

  5. 1.5*/3* from me for a light, fun puzzle. I was going to post the Rolling Stones video for 1a but I see Mr K, with his excellent taste, has beaten me to it. Very happy memories of the 1960s!

    My podium choice today is 13a, 27a & 1d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K.

  6. Good fun with some nice precise clues. 10a was my favourite today. Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  7. Unlike all the experts, I found this quite tricky, although the wordplay gave the whe answer in each case. There were lots of intricate cjarades, with multiple parts, and one I had cottoned onto the compiler’s wavelength, things speeded up. The misdirection was subtle and effective and, like a daft dog I had as a child, I spent a long time barking up the wrong tree. 18a a and 5d were good examples. The reverse lurkera 18d was agreat clue and there were some well-hidden anagrams. I particularly liked the one at 9a, a lovely word. 13a was the last one in and I kicked myself when the penny dropped. Altogether, an absorbing and thoroughly enjoyable puzzle. Thanks to the compiler and to Mr K for the hints.

  8. A gentle solve.
    Liked the Lego 14d.
    Last in 18a.
    Funny how one sometimes gets stuck in a mental groove.
    I did with this clue, transfixed on “ medusian” for some idiotic reason until constructed correctly.
    Put me just into 2*.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr. K

  9. Very enjoyable but I struggled with the easiest of clues. This is due to the fact a sore shin kept me awake all night so, what with that and analgesics, it’s a wonder I got anywhere. Ignore my moans! The puzzle was eventually solved with only a modicum of assistance and I had ticks all over the place. I learned a new word at 9a and I thought 13a had a clever surface. However, my COTD is 14d although I suspect it’s a chestnut.

    Many thanks to the setter for the antidote to my lethargy and huge thanks to Mr. K. for making sense of those my addled brain could not fathom. Oh, and that tornado is not as close as it appears.

  10. A witty puzzle today with plenty of smooth surfaces e.g. 15a (Fav), 1d and 25d. Quite a lot of anagrams. Always struggle to spell 18a but crossers and fully parsing clue sorted it. Bunged in 8d as 4-letter synonym component didn’t occur to me. Thank you setter for the fun and MrK for your reliable presence as always.

  11. I do wish we knew who sets these Tuesday puzzles but it would seem that it’s not to be.
    Anyway, this was good fun and my top two were 13&15a.

    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K for the review – you must have been pleased to get a ‘gimme’ to illustrate 1a!

    1. Tuesday setters names have appeared in the clue of the week slot in the puzzles newsletter

  12. Good crossword; excellent combination of ‘chuck ’em ins’ and ‘ponderers’. Not a Japanese apron or sultan of the Ottoman Empire in sight.

    Thanks to the setter and The Celebrated Mr K.

    The celebrated Mr. K., Performs his feat on Saturday at Bishops Gate…

  13. Hmm, somewhat of a curate’s egg for me and not as typically Tuesdayish as usual – 2.5*/2.5*.

    No standout favourite, but 13a got the biggest smile.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  14. Steady solve and no help needed except to check that 9 across was a real word.

    13A favorite due to the nautical reference.

    Might try the dreaded toughie given the previous comments. I normally steer well clear!

  15. * and *** for me for this very easy daily, which I found nicely put together.

    I see that the Toughie blog is not yet up — I’m sure that’s done out of deference to the paper, allowing its solvers to perform without assistance for a time — but that too was very very easy for this nonetheless satisfied solver. Thanks Mr K and setter.

  16. Not an easy Tuesday puzzle today as far as i am concerned and deciphering the clues and the ones I could finally parse.
    3*/2.5* today for me
    Favourites … not many in this one, I am afraid, but 13a, 8d, 17d & 20d made the grade.
    No outstanding winner today but I would pick 17d if i had to for its durability and being a regular in these crosswords.

    Thanks to setter and Mr K

  17. I thought this was great fun, everything fell into place nicely and with the bed linen blowing in the sunshine, there is a smile on my face. I, too, liked the reverse lurker, 13a was a nice mislead as was 24d. I might even look at the toughie before bedtime if I sit in the garden for a bit. Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Hinter.

  18. Most of it done by lunch, stuck on 13a, 18a, 14d; then a head clearing cycle ride and bingo – all dropped into place. Thanks to the setter and nice visual today of Tracey Emin’s pussy.

  19. This was a shock after Chalicea’s accessible offering I found it very hard.
    Just one thing, shouldn’t the Quickie pun be “privatise”?

    1. Hi, JB. You could be right about the Quickie Pun – nobody tells us what it’s supposed to be. We’ll see what the paper says tomorrow or https://puzzles.telegraph.co.uk/quick-crossword-puns/telegraph-crossword-puns-30000-onwards in a few days. I will add your take on it to the blog.

      I see that the “save my name …” function is now working for you. The remembering is done not at our end but by your web browser, which saves a small file on your device called a cookie. Private/incognito browsing modes delete cookies by design when you close the browser, which breaks the “save my name” function.

      1. Hi, both. JB: You were correct! Or, at least, you interpreted the pun the way the setter intended, as per the back page of Wednesday’s paper.

        (I went for the pun Mr K originally blogged. It hadn’t occurred to me those two phrases sound so similar — I guess they’re used in such different contexts that it’s normally hard to confuse one for t’other!)

  20. Very late today…overslept, having solved both puzzles late last evening, both very enjoyable. For some strange reason, 10a made me laugh and wins the Clarkie today, but my podium honours go to 13a, 27a, & 18d (with fond remembrances of the cats in the Forum and of my many happy sojourns there). Thanks to Mr K (especially for those cats in the Forum!) and today’s setter. ** / ****

    I also thought that the quickie pun was ‘privatise’.

  21. Lots to like about this and finished in good time. Spotting a muntjac in the garden I opened the bedroom window to shout at it then trying to close it, it slightly jammed and then slammed shut onto my thumb slicing a great chunk out of it – agony and blood everywhere. Now typing almost impossible and yesterday’s minutes will have to wait. Now on to the Toughie. Thanks to all.

  22. I found this quite difficult, unlike the majority 😳 ****/*** Favourites 13a, 1d and 14d😃 I also made the Quicky phrase “privatise” 😬 Just one of those days! Thanks to Mr K and to Chalicea

  23. I didn’t enjoy this as much as most Tuesdays. I just couldn’t get on wavelength and some clues just eluded me. 9a was not something that sprang to mind. And 12a and grip doesn’t work for me. I gave up half way through, especially as I saw that it seems to be Chalicea on Toughie duty today, so might have a stab at that instead. Thanks to setter and Mr K.

    1. Just finished the lovely Chalicea Toughie. Glad to say I did much better than I did with the back pager. It was a welcome respite having jumped through hoops this morning to get our landline removed, and house alarm switched to wireless. But the savings are worth the effort.

  24. I agree with BusyLizzie. Got off to a reasonable start helped by the number of anagrams but just couldn’t get on wavelength. I put “privatise” for the Quickie pun. Many thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  25. Breezed through this and enjoyed it much more than yesterday’s. Hard to pick a favourite but I’ll go with 9a. Thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

  26. A gentle enough Tuesday back pager. I am late because I have rejoined the working classes and until I get the staff WiFi pass commenting has to wait a bit. A couple of brain teasers in the SE held me up until 2nd brew but on reflection I can’t see why. Similar experience with the toughie but not quite finished yet.
    Thanks to Mr K and setter and thanks to Chalicea And Miffs for the toughie. Just in case I run out of time before finishing the toughie.

  27. Fun to solve. 18 last in. 10a and 14 and 20d favourites. Thank you Setter and Mt K. Will now check your hints for the parsing of one or two.

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