DT 30013 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30013

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30013

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone.  I enjoyed today’s puzzle more than most. Thought it had some excellent clues where the answer emerged from just following the wordplay instructions.  Great fun all round. 

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    Clinton perhaps fears following old amendments to US Constitution (4,2,6)
BILL OF RIGHTS:  Putting the bits in order, link together a name that Clinton defines by example (perhaps), the abbreviation for old, and a synonym of fears 

9a    Bunion? Not something a tennis player wants to hear (4,5)
FOOT FAULT:  An umpire’s call that a tennis player doesn’t want to hear could also, whimsically, be what bunion might define by example (?

10a   Painter from German city one ignored (5)
MUNCH:  A German city with the Roman one deleted (one ignored

11a   Cat stole cook's stuffing on the way back (6)
OCELOT:  The answer is hidden inside the reversal of words two and three (… stuffing on the way back

12a   Funny smell by soldiers beginning to offend us (8)
HUMOROUS:  Concatenate smell or pong, some usual soldiers, the beginning letter to OFFEND, and US from the clue 

13a   Not in a fantastic state (6)
NATION:  An anagram (fantastic) of NOT IN A 

15a   Beers mother gets in tin for trader (8)
SALESMAN:  The fusion of some beers and an informal form of mother is inserted in (gets in) the chemical symbol for tin 

18a   Study island's building material (8)
CONCRETE:  An archaic word for study or learn followed by a Greek island 

19a   Large snake -- run! (6)
LADDER:  The clothing abbreviation for large with a snake that knows arithmetic 

21a   Dealing with Turkey by scoffing (8)
TREATING:  The IVR code for Turkey is followed by scoffing or ingesting 

23a   In favour of first of changes editor made (6)
FORCED:  Link together “in favour of”, the first letter of CHANGES, and the abbreviation for editor 

26a   Wants lazy son to go to the back (5)
LACKS:  A synonym of lazy has the genealogical abbreviation for son moved to the back of the word 

27a   Central character in Wimbledon can have a wild fall (9)
AVALANCHE:  An anagram (wild) of the central character in WIMBLEDON and CAN HAVE A 

28a   Somehow cleverest hens not caught yet (12)
NEVERTHELESS:  An anagram (somehow) of CLEVEREST HENS minus the cricket abbreviation for caught (not caught) 

 

Down

1d    Fool lover with nothing on (7)
BUFFOON:  Assemble a lover or fan, the letter representing nothing, and ON from the clue 

2d    John almost set free (5)
LOOSE:  An informal synonym of john with all but the last letter (almost) of SET 

3d    Faded  blue (3,6)
OFF COLOUR:  A double definition. Blue as in risqué 

4d    King dismissed crushing defeat (4)
ROUT:  The Latin abbreviation for king with dismissed in a cricket match, for example

5d    Artful tug worried no female husky (8)
GUTTURAL:  An anagram (worried) of ARTFUL TUG minus the single letter for female (no female) 

6d    Ignoring the odds, it seems poor rate (5)
TEMPO:  Ignore the odd letters in IT SEEMS POOR 

7d    Told education supports where pupils should be? (8)
INFORMED:  The abbreviation for education comes after (supports, in a down clue) a (2,4) phrase for where pupils should be 

8d    Picked nose crudely after church (6)
CHOSEN:  An anagram (crudely) of NOSE comes after the map abbreviation for church 

14d   Lifting catch, refuse to restrict Charlie's movement (8)
TENDENCY:  Follow the reversal (lifting, in a down clue) of catch or trap with another word for refuse containing (to restrict) the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by charlie 

16d   Doctor able to make a speech very detailed (9)
ELABORATE:  An anagram (doctor) of ABLE is followed by “make a speech” 

17d   Period Toynbee regularly covers? On the contrary, this is prehistoric (5,3)
STONE AGE:  Inverting the wordplay (on the contrary) a period or step contains (covers) alternate letters (regularly) of TOYNBEE 

18d   Tom maybe tense on top of large English farm animals (6)
CATTLE:  Link together what tom defines by example (maybe), the grammatical abbreviation for tense, the clothing abbreviation for large, and the single letter for English

 

20d   Repair robe after the Queen's upset (7)
REDRESS:  A synonym of robe comes after the reversal (upset, in a down clue) of the Latin abbreviation for Queen Elizabeth 

22d   Art gallery frames second preference (5)
TASTE:  A London art gallery contains (frames) the single letter for second 

24d   Constant pain for Arsenal? (5)
CACHE:  A letter that can represent a mathematical constant with pain or hurt 

25d   Underwear finally dropped, producing gasp (4)
PANT:  Some underwear has its final letter dropped 

 

Thanks to today’s setter. Clues I particularly liked were 24d, 27a, 23a, 19a, and 13a. I also thought the Quickie Pun was great. Which clues did you like best?


The Quick Crossword pun:  VIE  + KIN + WAUGH + REARS = VIKING WARRIORS


45 comments on “DT 30013

  1. A bit of a struggle for me but I have no idea why. Maybe a few more brain cells passed away while I was asleep. I got there in the end but with not much enjoyment. However, I realise this is down to me and I have no doubt others will have thoroughly enjoyed this. No favourites today – just pleased to finish.

    Many thanks to the setter and my apologies for not being able to do it justice. Huge thanks to Mr. K for the hints.

    Wishing Big Dave a speedy recovery. :good:

    1. It’s all in the mind, Steve!
      The consensus in the Newminster household was that half a * would have been generous. Tomorrow’s will be 1* and we’ll be struggling. I’d put money on it!

  2. 2*/4*. This all fell into place smoothly and I really enjoyed it. I had a lot of ticks on my page with double ticks for 13a, 19a, 23a & 24d with the last of these just taking top prize.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K.

  3. I’m one of those others to whom SC referred who enjoyed this puzzle. I found it fitted smoothly into my coffeebreak and generated plenty of smiles while it lasted. Some great surfaces, and thought the first two across clues amusing and helpful – they set the tone for the rest of the grid. Hon Mentions to a fair few, including those two and 12a, 19a (broad smile at the old chestnut), 1d, 6d, and 24d (a rueful smile for this long-suffering Gooner); COTD to 17d.

    1* / 3*

    Many thanks to the Setter (the Floughie Lady? Otherwise I have no idea) and to Mr K for the blog and some great pictures.

  4. Although quickly completed, enjoyed the journey.
    1a made me chuckle.
    I felt many clues were a sort of revision lesson.
    Many thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

  5. A very pleasant solve for a Monday.I really liked the topical 9a having watched some of the tennis from Queen’s.
    I do hope BD is progressing well. I was appalled at the 9 hour wait for an ambulance. Anyway, I know we all wish him well…….what would we do without this blog?

    1. You are about as mixed up as I am after the odd bank holiday. Surely it is Tuesday?

  6. I thought this one of the best Tuesday puzzles for quite some time. Not difficult but very enjoyable indeed despite being done & dusted with in 1.5* time with only 14d & 26a, for some reason, requiring a bit of a head scratch. Loved the tennis surface reads at 9&27a plus further ticks for 1a & 1,3,5&24d.
    Thanks to the setter & to Mr K.

  7. Some commendably concise clueing made this relatively simple puzzle hugely entertaining and enjoyable. 1a was clever and my favourite.

    My thanks to the setter and of course Mr K.

  8. Typically Tuesdayish, concisely clued and no need for the copious amount of white space on my printed sheet – **/****.

    Candidates for favourite – 19a, 7d, and 14d – and the winner is 7d.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K and continuing thoughts and prayers for our dear leader.

    1. Sorry to hear rhat BD had a long wait for tha ambulance and wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

  9. Another one who felt like SC, I found that subtle misdirection in some of the clues, in the NE and SW particularly, made this decidedly tricky. I managed to finish it in the end with just a dictionary and thesaurus to help. I liked 1a, 28a and 5d particularly. Thanks to the compiler and to Mr K for the hints.

  10. A superb crossword. My favourite puzzles are those where I give an initial glance and think “Oh no! I will never solve this!” and then I find a starting point and steadily work my way to completing it. Some great clues and no Japanese aprons.

    Last night, with the bronchitis much improved, we went to the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue for a celebration of the life of Barry Cryer. Some performers put in more effort than others and the biggest cheers went to Gyles Brandreth and Harry Hill. It was a lovely evening in memory of the old boy and good to bump into several friends and former colleagues.

    Thanks to the excellent setter and The Celebrated Mr K

    Beatles – Getting Better

  11. Enjoyable start to a Tuesday 😃 **/*** Favourites 27a, 14d and possibly 1a 🤔 Thanks to Mr K and to the Compiler 👍. Would some body please up-date me on Big Daves state of health?

  12. This was delightfully lighthearted and non-problematic – best for sometime. Certainly no reservations but much fun. Liked the feline Scream hint for 10a. US background helped with19a and 2d. Fav was 9a. Wish we knew who setter was to directly convey thanks but I do so anyway and likewise to MrK for faithfully being there.

  13. I am in the Mustafa G camp on this one for rating and perfect for coffee time. I thought the grid structure helpful as well. No particular stand outs as consistently good. Oh dear – poor BD. What rotten luck as not the nicest of places to be particularly now the weather seems to be warming up. So much here in Plymouth I have taken the ferry over the Sound to Cawsand for a summer beach lunch. Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

  14. Great fun with first rate clues for a relatively easy solve this morning. Particularly liked 1a & 9a along with several others.
    Completed at a canter, sitting in the garden sunshine in a glorious day here in the Kent Downs, what’s not to like.
    Thanks to the setter and MrK for the blog.

  15. Loved this puzzle, off to a great start with 1a, and with great surfaces throughout. So much to like, especially 17d, 27a, & 24d, my COTD. Best Tuesday in a while, so thanks to our setter and to Mr K. Best wishes to Big Dave. ** / ****

    Quite a good Toughie today!

    1. Thx for the heads-up on the Toughie which I managed all except the religious clue which totally flooded me.

  16. On the whole a very playable puzzle with some good surface reading. However, I thought 23a, 17d and 14d were all rather clumsy and inelegant clues which for me rather let the puzzle down.
    Thx to all
    **/***

  17. Like Huntsman, it was 26a & 14d that held me up slightly in this otherwise quite straightforward puzzle.
    Top of my pile were 1a & 3d.

    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K for a great review with plenty of felines on parade. It was the sleek 11a that really caught my eye.

  18. Unlike some, the backpager will never be a coffee break exercise for me and it would be underwhelming if it were to be so!
    I enjoy a second stab at it over lunch when the brain cells are often better aligned.
    Thoroughly enjoyed todays offering, thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  19. Another splendid Tuesday teaser.

    When it comes to long words, 28a gets wheeled out more than any of the usual suspects, doesn’t it?

    I’d love to know how many anagrams/part-anagrams have been used for it by our compilers over the years.

    ‘Cleverest hens’ is a belter.

    Mr K(nowledge), can you enlighten us?

    1. I found 26 anagram clues for that word in the past 20 years of back page cryptics. I might be able to upload them later.

  20. I do like the cat-headed cow! A nice array of felines today. Many thanks also Mr K for your hints for 26a and 14 d which were last in and am still a bit misty about the latter. Anyway, great fun. Sorry to hear BD is unwell and hope he is getting good treatment. Yesterday I had a video consultation following a colonoscopy on 2nd March, was told I was in the ‘waiting room’ for 3/4 hour before the screen went blank. The doctor then telephoned me, the fault was at their end. Heaven help us. Oh I forgot to say thankyou to Mr Setter!

  21. I thought this was a well-crafted crossword. Very enjoyably solved after lunch while watching the Test Match.

    1ac gets my vote.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

    Hope allis well BD. My mother had a fall on the eve of her 95th and fortunately my brother was at hand to drive her to Worcester. She has recovered and is back on the crossword! Get well soon. It’s great that you such support from Tilsit etc.

    Funny how cats like boxes. This Spike … my avitar cat with “clause”:

        1. I should add that these four kittens had just been transported (a few kilometres) from our temporary house in Vico del Gargano to their new home in 2004.

          They have all had a great life here, but sadly only the black one in the bottom of the box is still alive.

  22. The Munch cat made my day together with Mr K’s explanations for 15a and 14d which I got without knowing why but knew Mr K would provide the answer. So many thanks to Mr K and to the setter for a puzzle which entertained and amused over a long lunch. 7d my favourite.

  23. Back on track today, solving this one over a boiled egg before work (it turns out retirement is not so binary, more of a spectrum). COTD 1 & 9a joint. 26a feels Chalicea-ish to me but I’m rarely right. Thanks to whomsoever and Mr k for hints, tips and high kitty count.

  24. A trickier than usual puzzle for Tuesday I thought. 2.5*/3.5*
    favourites include 18a, 19a, 27a, 14d & 24d with winner 27a

    Thanks to setter and Mr K
    Best wishes to BD for speedy recovery

  25. 2/4. Very enjoyable after a slow start. No stand out favourites although maybe I’m being a bit choosy. Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  26. I thought this was excellent, a very enjoyable solve. I have marked 9a, 15a, 2d and 24d as favourites.
    Thanks to the setter and Mr K, and best wishes to BD for a speedy recovery.

  27. I’m in the ‘as straightforward as they come’ camp. Which did not detract from the enjoyment one bit. Favourite was 14d. Thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

  28. Firstly, best wishes to Big Dave, and so sorry to hear about the long wait for an ambulance. I have read several letters in the DT and apparently this is not unusual, and some waiting for 13 hours or more. Which is appalling.
    A pleasant, steady crossword today, with a couple of holdouts, 13a and 23a when I was chasing the wrong answer, and LI was 14d, not knowing the tin sign. Thanks to setter and Mr K.

  29. Best wishes to BD for a speedy and complete recovery!
    I rather enjoyed this solve!
    Many thanks to the setter, and, of course, Mr K for the hints – and the cats!

  30. Thank you to the setter. It was mostly well within my abilities, until the final two crossing answers completely stumped me — which is why I’m only commenting the following morning. I hadn’t known the ‘movement’ meaning of 14D (and I hadn’t thought of that kind of movement anyway) and hadn’t worked out the wordplay — thank you to Mr K for explaining that.

    My favourite was the popular 19A snake. Cheers, all.

  31. Beaten by 14d😔. Really popped in to wish Big Dave a speedy recovery. Thanks to all.

  32. 2*/5*…..
    liked 8D “Picked nose crudely after church (6)” amongst others…

    Best Wishes to BD.

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