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DT 30105

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30105

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to a RayT Thursday crossword that produced lots of smiles during the solve. I felt a little off-wavelength today and, since the hinting deadline leaves no breathing space for putting a puzzle aside to percolate, I had to turn to the Chambers Crossword Dictionary a few times in my search for synonyms. I’m blaming a day full of meetings and PowerPoints. 

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    Authoritarian laid Riot Act out (11)
DICTATORIAL:  An anagram (out) of LAID RIOT ACT

10a   Gripes from company left in charge (5)
COLIC:  Concatenate an abbreviation for company, the single letter for left, and the abbreviation for in charge 

11a   Drop journalist caught by dispute (9)
REDUCTION:  A usual abbreviated journalist contained by (caught by) a dispute or disturbance 

12a   Old boy, say, purchasing popular firm (9)
OBSTINATE:  The abbreviation for old boy is followed by say or utter containing (purchasing) popular or fashionable 

13a   Regular or usual trip expected, initially (5)
ROUTE:  Initial letters of the first five words in the clue 

14a   Dull discontented European following rule (6)
LEADEN:  The outer letters (dis-contented) of EUROPEAN following rule or direct 

16a   Appoint English member in time (8)
DELEGATE:  The single letter for English and a member or limb are inserted together in a synonym of time

18a   Radiation found in European embassy (8)
EMISSION:  The single letter for European with another word for embassy 

20a   Ruling on posh chap? (6)
REGENT:  A short word meaning on or concerning is followed by a posh chap 

23a   Stop argument ringing sweetheart (5)
CEASE:  Argument in a legal context containing (ringing) the letter at the heart of SWEET 

24a   Trick flipping enormous flans (9)
STRATAGEM:  The reversal (flipping) of the fusion of enormous or giant and another word for flans 

26a   Shock vote for right providing unknown (9)
ELECTRIFY:  Link together “vote for”, the single letter for right, a synonym of providing, and a letter used to represent a mathematical unknown

27a   Dealer tries to keep vigilant (5)
ALERT:  The first two words of the clue are hiding (… to keep) the answer 

28a   Carrying gym bag before class (11)
PENETRATING:  Assemble an abbreviation for exercises or gym, bag or catch, and class or assessment 

 

Down

2d    Does nothing, largely being paid less (5)
IDLES:  The answer is hidden as more than half of (largely being) the remaining words in the clue 

3d    Tangible diplomacy is lies, oddly (7)
TACTILE:  Diplomacy or consideration with the odd letters of IS LIES 

4d    Husband in march shows fibre (6)
THREAD:  The genealogical abbreviation for husband inserted in march or stride 

5d    Grass collaring judge is freed (8)
REDEEMED:  A grass growing in water containing (collaring) judge or determine 

6d    Charge includes murder finally, then condemn (7)
ACCURSE:  Charge with a crime contains (includes) the final letter of MURDER 

7d    Changing clothes, a chore for mistress? (13)
SCHOOLTEACHER:  An anagram (changing) of CLOTHES A CHORE 

8d    Put on fire losing temperature (8)
SIMULATE:  Fire or excite minus (losing) the physics symbol for temperature 

9d    Play down reunited team's playing (13)
UNDERESTIMATE:  An anagram (playing) of REUNITED TEAM’S 

15d   Upset elderly accepting current rubbish (8)
AGITATED:  A synonym of elderly containing (accepting) both the physics symbol for electric current and rubbish or junk 

17d   Criminal lord keeping quiet for scheme (8)
CONSPIRE:  A usual criminal is followed by an archaic word for lord or master containing (keeping) the musical abbreviation for quiet 

19d   Cover the woman with adult article (7)
SHEATHE:  Put together a pronoun for “the woman”, the single letter for adult, and a grammatical article 

21d   Remove superfluous covering of corset (7)
EXTRACT:  Superfluous or left over with the outer letters of (covering of) CORSET 

22d   Chance by holding onto beam (6)
PRAYER:  A Latin synonym of by containing (holding onto) a beam of light 

25d   End of spring, then meagre harvest (5)
GLEAN:  The end letter of SPRING with meagre or scanty 

 

Thanks to RayT. Top clue for me was 28a. Which clues did you like best?


The Quick Crossword pun:  BEER + WEAR = BE AWARE


53 comments on “DT 30105

  1. I thought this was at the more gentle end of this setter’s spectrum, or I was bang on wavelength, with only the NE holding up swift progress, though I had to check the Lord was ok in 17d.
    I particularly liked 24a as it made me smile plus 26a and 4d but favourite was the excellent 8d
    Many thanks to Misters T&K (Maxx enjoyment was had.)

  2. 2*/4.5*. I felt right on wavelength from the word go and I loved every minute of this masterpiece of brevity.

    I don’t normally put anagrams on my podium but two have made it there today: 1a & 7d, where they are joined by 26a and, my favourite, 28a.

    Many thanks to RayT and to Mr K.

  3. Well, much tougher today. I’m never that keen on puzzles with no multi-word answers, but this
    one was okay because the long clues on the outer edges were not that hard, giving a toehold into the rest of the grid for me. Especially liked 28a which was also last in. Ta to setter for a real challenge today!

  4. I, too, thought that our setter was being fairly friendly this morning, but as ever, he produced a puzzle of great quality and entertainment. 8d was my final entry and proved to be my favourite ahead of 26a.

    My thanks to Ray T for the fun, and to Mr K.

  5. Agree with Mr K’s ***/***, last in was 28a which I did not think fitted the clue, my Chambers did not provide the pseudonym either.
    The 22d definition was nicely clued but again not in my Chambers !
    Anyway a steady solve around the grid, favourite was 24a, liked the surface of 6d,not a word often seen in print these days.
    Thanke to 2K’s for the pics.

    1. Hello Beaver. In 28a, I couldn’t find the answer = definition in the BRB, but it is listed in the Chambers Thesaurus (book version) as: a (the answer) sound – loud, clear, strident, shrill, piercing, carrying. So, probably OK.

    2. For 28a, how about The sound is carrying through the wall?

      22d is the 12th definition of the answer in my BRB.

  6. A very obliging Thursday?
    Rare.
    But this elegantly clued mind – stretcher certainly was.
    24a and 17d neck and neck for COTD.
    17d by a nose.
    In summary, 2*/*****
    Many thanks, Ray T and Mr K.

  7. You can always rely on Ray T for an enjoyable puzzle – thanks to him and to Mr K.
    For my podium I’ve selected 12a, 24a and 2d.

  8. Like Mr K, I felt a little off wavelength and had to thumb through my Small Red Book searching for an answer rather than confirming an answer. Nevertheless, a very enjoyable solve – ***/****.

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 24a, 26a, and 19d – and the winner is 19d.

    Thanks to Ray T and Mr K.

  9. This enjoyable enigma was for me gentle by RayT standards. North came in ahead of South where shelter for 19d put spanner in the works for a while and finally the dodgy 28a held out to be bunged in. Thank you RayT and MrK.

  10. Excellent stuff from our Thursday maestro with just a couple of synonyms that required some thought.
    Big ticks here for 1,12,26&28a plus 8d.

    Devotions as always to Mr T and thanks to Mr K for the review and plenty of felines.

  11. I found this tougher than usual and, like others, had recourse to the Small Red Book and the online thesaurus for some of the more elusive synonyms ( Ray T was definitely on form with those). I too found the long anagrams useful in gaining a foothold to the puzzle and particularly liked 1a and 9d. The lego clues were also clever, particularly 11a and 18a. Many thanks to Mr K for the hints and to Ray T for achallenging puzzle.

  12. A fair rating by Mr K and a medium difficulty RayT with some nice clues. I recall my old chum Richard Grant’s dad who was editor of the Times crossword half a century ago thought his best clue was “Reverse plan for large loose women” – alternative clueing for my COTD 24a. All good fun and thanks to RayT.

  13. A most enjoyable puzzle from Mr T, to whom many thanks, and also to Mr K for the review. Thought at first I had printed the wrong puzzle because this used the same grid as yesterday’s, but no. Would have been a swifter completion had I not been delayed by two in the NE, with 8d my LOI. What tight, precise and scrupulously fair clueing throughout. 24a my COTD for the broad smile to which it gave rise, and podium places also to 21a and 28a.

    1.5* / 3*

    Can strongly recommend today’s very approachable and satsifying Toughie from Kcit, which certainly repays in spades the time spent solving it.

  14. Enjoyable and slightly easier Ray T puzzle. 24a my COTD. Finished before taking off for Bergerac. Unfortunately, we’ve missed our slot so now waiting another hour on the tarmac at Stansted.

  15. Elegance from Ray Thursday, thanks for a well-paced puzzle. Enough to get started and footholds for the rest. Unlike MrK, I had time to percolate, meeting the hound’s needs, after which the NE gave way. Prior to a brisk walk (& illicit cappuccino & millionaire’s) I worried I might have to deploy Mrs GD. Although feigning disinterest in football, cricket and cryptics, she has osmosed all requisite underpinning knowledge.
    Great illustrations MrK and it was a relief to find the hidden kitties.
    COTD 24a. Enormous flans had me sniggering before the solve.

    1. I feel a kinship with Mrs GD in her disinterest in football and cricket and hope she does not bop you over the head for your condescending acknowledgment of her “basic intelligence in osmosing requisite knowledge”! Cor blimey, mister, you are treading on thin ice. 🤭

  16. Managed a slow but steady finish last night, with 8d my LOI and COTD. Always diverting to work a Ray T puzzle and this one briefly took my mind off the tropical storm on its way to our coast. We’re told now to expect winds up to 80 mph with 8-10 inches of rain. We’ll probably lose power for a day or two, so it may be a while before I can rejoin all of you. Thanks for all of the good wishes. Thanks to Mr K and Mr T. ** / ****

    1. Do you have a cellar to retreat to or do you have a communal safe place where you gather? It must be so scarey.

    2. I see they are forecasting strengthening of this monster, just what you need. I still think your problem is going to be water. They are estimating fatalities so far in the hundreds – those poor people.

      1. Yes, it’s now a Hurricane Warning, with all which that upgrade entails. Thanks to Manders, Bijou, DaisyGirl, and Merusa for your concern. Jimmy and I will stay home, a dozen miles from the sea (but in between two rivers) and hope for the best.

        1. Hope all well with you both & continues to be. Fingers crossed the damage not as severe as expected.

  17. Lovely, lovely puzzle and it is a glorious autumn day to boot. I am about to go out and join the pocket rocket in the garden. I agree with Hrothgar about 24a and 17d but think 1a was clever as well. The whole thing was great and Mr K – you excelled yourself with the Kitty Pics, gorgeous. Many thanks to you and Ray T.

  18. Absolutely fabulous puzzle today with 24a being my COTD. However, it was a very slow start and I thought it was going to be a stinker but gradually all revealed itself. Loved the kitty pictures so thanks to Ray T and Mr K. To Jane: we moved to Cley after 25 years in Cambridge (90 minutes away) and knew the North Norfolk coast well – just luck this house came up for sale at the right time although we knew not a soul up here. What puzzles us all about the TV film is that there is no-one around, no cars moving or anything. I guess they must have filmed it at about 5 a.m. I have never seen it like that.

    1. I think it’s very brave to move somewhere without knowing anyone at all – it would make me feel very weedy and wobbly!

    2. Thank you, Manders. You were indeed lucky and I’ll bet it didn’t take you long to make new friends.

  19. For a Ray T I thought it wasn’t very difficult.
    Then again we got to 28a – oh dear! I couldn’t think of anything that fit the letters and the gaps let alone with the clue so I gave up and cheated – hate to do that!!
    All the long answers round the outside certainly was a good beginning (apart from 28d which I still can’t make = carrying!)
    Lots of good clues but no particular favourite.
    Thanks to Ray T for the crossword and to thanks to Mr K for the hints and pics.

  20. Found this on the easier side for a RayT puzzle.
    2.5*/3.5* today for me.

    Favourites today include 16a, 20a, 26a & 19d — with winner today 19d

    Thanks to Ray T and Mr. K

  21. Another fine puzzle from Ray T. For me, a tad above average difficulty for a back-pager with good, concise clues providing an enjoyable solve. I’ve ticked a few and will pick 24a as my favourite. 3*/4*.

  22. Found this enjoyable and par for a Ray T ****/*** 😬 Favourites 28a & 15d. I have never come across 6d before and feel it only lives in crosswords 😳 Thanks to Mr K for his fine blog and to Mr T for a solvable puzzle. I was surprised that no mention was made of Cley being famous, nowadays, as a magnificent migration bird watching venue now that the marshes have been revealed by the retreating sea 🤔

  23. Drat 28a. If it had occurred to me to separate the gym and the bag all would have been well. Mr K, your time constraints were completely undetectable so thank you for finding room and gratitude to Mr T.

  24. If this is an easy puzzle from this setter, goodness knows what a tough one is like. I solve the Telegraph cryptic every day in good to modest times but failed miserably today with nearly half the gaps unfilled and resorted to this blog.

  25. I was a bit slow today on the “edgy” anagrams and in a few other places, including my last in, 8d. All very satisfying though.

    Thought 26a was a very good clue, and really enjoyed 28a and 19d.

    Thanks to RayT and Mr K.

  26. Very enjoyable puzzle from RayT with all his signature clues. Favourite was 21d [ he can’t resist undies] and also liked 24, 26, 28a etc etc etc

  27. Very few hold-ups except in the NE with 8d being my last in and COTD, all fairly clued. Thanks to Rayt, you’re my favourite setter but don’t tell the others, and Mr. K.

  28. Even though carrying is apparently a synonym of penetrating, I doubt anyone has ever used carrying in this way. I suspect if they did, they would finding the assembled company edging for the exits to escape the loon.

    Enjoyable challenge nonetheless.

    Thanks to all.

  29. Late to this & like Kath no problems until 28a & 22d. With the former I struggled to come up with the definition synonym despite being confident it began with a P having been suckered into the surface read & failing to twig the correct context of bag & class in the wordplay until parsing my answer. With 22d the definition context only occurred with the R checker in despite few only 3 letters required to surround ray.
    The flipping enormous flans my clear favourite too in another super puzzle.
    Thanks to Ray T & to Mr K

  30. Favourites 11 and 24 a and 17d. I did not find this as difficult as the previous when I left one unanswered. Had mostly same difficulties as others. I get the penetrating now. My mother used to talk about sound carrying eg through the wall from the neighbours. I got 2d but didn’t understand Me K’s hint. Isn’t it just hidden in the last two words? I did struggle with some of the synonyms. In my world accuse came before charge. Thanks Ray T and Mr K. Had a busy day and then fell asleep before commenting.

  31. Unlike the majority I rarely enjoy the work of this setter because I feel he takes too many liberties in a sad search for obscurity and complexity. Generally I give up after a while because I suspect the unfinished clues are simply too imprecise for my simple mind to unravel. For example, carrying for penetrating, prayer for chance, fire for stimulate and ruling for regent. Really? I find most toughies more straightforward which is not as it should be.

    1. Ray T is regarded on here as the master,
      he does stretch synonyms, but they’re generally accessible with thought.

      Not every solver will like his work, of course, but with such a large group of admirers, he must have something.

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