DT 30229 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30229

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30229
Hints and tips by Twmbarlwm

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BD Rating – Difficulty **   –  Enjoyment ****/*****

Good morning. A hugely entertaining puzzle filled with elegant and witty surfaces, a wide variety of clue-types, and a nice balance of straight definitions and less obvious ones.

Many thanks to the setter.
In the following hints, definitions are underlined, indicators are mostly in parentheses, and answers are revealed by clicking where shown as usual.
Please leave a comment below on how you got on with the puzzle and which aspects you liked etc.

Across
1a Crack jokes finally with character in Wonderland (7)
SHATTER: A final letter as indicated is followed by someone the Cheshire Cat described as “mad”

5a Loads get moved inside these pubs without argument (7)
BARROWS: A synonym for pubs goes around (without) a word for an argument or tiff

9a Something on an aircraft maybe that spins both ways (5)
ROTOR: A palindrome (that spins both ways)

10a Apart from that parent, Mike’s left with Ernie? (9)
OTHERWISE: A word for a female parent minus (left) the letter that’s represented in the clue by its NATO/phonetic alphabet term, plus the surname of an English comedian whose first name is shown

11a Tasty, fatty tart regularly full of beans (10)
ATTRACTIVE: Alternate letters (regularly) of two words precede a word meaning energetic, full of beans

12a Garment some flipping Scot likes (4)
KILT: The solution is hidden in reverse (flipping). This could also be seen as an all-in-one, where the whole clue leads to the answer

14a Devon temples demolished for housing estates? (12)
DEVELOPMENTS: An anagram (demolished) of DEVON TEMPLES

18a Modern company with new caretaker? (12)
CONTEMPORARY: The usual two-letter abbreviation of company, plus the letter that stands for new, followed by what could possibly be a caretaker, or stand-in, rather than someone permanent

21a Take home large vase, we’re told (4)
EARN: A homophone (we’re told)

22a Shows sign of uncertainty around gifts (10)
REPRESENTS: A two-letter word of hesitation is reversed (around) and followed by a straightforward synonym of gifts

25a Blanket unravels badly, one’s admitted (9)
UNIVERSAL: A deceptive definition and an anagram (badly) of UNRAVELS with the letter that represents one, as a Roman numeral, inserted (admitted)

26a Send out children (5)
ISSUE: A double definition

27a Leader’s shot carrying Muirfield’s first green (7)
EMERALD: An anagram (shot) of LEADER containing (carrying) an initial letter as indicated. Muirfield is a golf course in Scotland that hosted the British Women’s Open last year, just 5 years after the club voted to admit women members for the first time!

28a Conceded defeat — what cricketer perhaps did with change in opener (7)
YIELDED: The first letter (opener) of the past tense of what a cricketer positioned in e.g. in the slips or at square leg is doing is changed to a different letter

Down

1d Second best riot (6)
SCREAM: The usual letter for second is followed by another word for best or elite. The solution and definition are nouns

2d Has it cut me after removing tops? Sharp! (6)
ASTUTE: Four words in the clue have their first letters deleted (removing tops)

3d Intimidated teen nastily in series of internet messages (10)
THREATENED: An anagram (nastily) of TEEN goes ‘in’ a word for a themed series of messages on an internet forum, say

4d Seed around small bird’s shelter (5)
ROOST: A synonym of seed, or source, goes ‘around’ the letter that stands for small

5d Bravo — I have changed our way of acting (9)
BEHAVIOUR: A letter shown here by its NATO/phonetic alphabet term is followed by an anagram (changed) of I HAVE, then ‘our’ from the clue

6d Unusual stuffing for a recipe (4)
RARE: The solution is hidden in (stuffing) the clue

7d Heads embracing sanctimonious views (8)
OPINIONS: An informal word for heads, as in bonces, containing (embracing) a two-letter diminutive synonym of sanctimonious

8d Most sugary dessert is French (8)
SWEETEST: A word meaning dessert or pudding as a meal course is followed by the French word for is

13d Mean child who’s naughty and overaggressive? Not half! (10)
IMPRESSIVE: A common (in crosswords) three-letter word for a troublemaking child is followed by a word from the clue cut by 50% (not half). A deceptively less common definition

15d Urged to go after former lover spoke (9)
EXPRESSED: A synonym of urged, or in another context ironed, follows (to go after) a two-letter term for an old flame

16d After school, avoid going over timetable (8)
SCHEDULE: A reversal (going over) of a word meaning avoid goes ‘after’ an abbreviation of school

17d Fire is in Greene novel (8)
ENERGISE: ‘Is’ from the clue goes ‘in’ an anagram (novel) of GREENE. Perhaps the setter had the New Year’s Eve fire in Graham Greene’s ‘The Little Fire Engine’ in mind – but that’s a children’s book rather than a novel, so maybe not!

19d Unemployed group of students after university education (6)
UNUSED: An initialism of a union that represents students goes ‘after’ the letter that stands for university, then an abbreviation of education to complete the clue

20d Article to post assuming costs primarily go up (6)
ASCEND: An indefinite article, plus a synonym of post as a verb containing (assuming) a first letter (primarily)

23d Meeting, in truth, not exciting at first (5)
RALLY: A word meaning in truth, or actually, has a letter deleted as indicated

24d Cheese could make female fed up (4)
FETA: The single-letter abbreviation of female is followed by a reversal (up) of a synonym of fed or dined

My particular favourites were 11a, 12a, 25a, 27a, 2d, 3d, 6d, 7d and 17d. What were yours?


Today’s Quick Crossword pun: SAY + FAN + SOUND = SAFE AND SOUND

73 comments on “DT 30229

  1. Thought this was going to be really tough today as it took me quite some time to get the first one, but as soon as that was in, it fell like a house of cards. Still not easy, but just about right for a Tuesday. The definition for 13d was a bit of a stretch to my mind, but I think it’s generally accepted nowadays. Favourite of the day was 10a, thanks to our setter, good honest fun.

  2. I agree with Tipcat as 10a was my COTD as well and with Twmbarlwm’s rating. I thought the anagrams in 5 & 17d both cunningly contrived and the whole puzzle excellent. Thanks to the setter whoever he or she may be and toTwmbarlwm.

  3. Loved it.

    It’s not often you see someone taking a leaf out of Ray T’s book with no multiple-word answers.

    Being a golf nut, 27a gets my nod. Great clue.

    1*/5*

  4. Well it’s rare that I comment so early in the list. The reason – a heavy cold that kept me in the luxury of bed this morning.

    As Twmbarlwm says lots of elegant and witty clues. Very entertaining and for me the stand out clue was 7dn.

    Thanks to Twmbarlwm and the setter.

  5. Most enjoyable while it lasted, which, sadly in a way, was not long – after the first read through three clues remained, but with all the checkers in place those too fell swiftly. Many wonderful surface reads, and super constructions. Could nominate any number for COTD let alone as highlights, but will limit the latter to 11a, 2d, 3d and 19d, and the former to the wonderful 13d.

    0.5* / 4*

    Many thanks indeed to the anonymous setter (the clues felt Anthony Plumb-ish, even if the grid was not his traditional one), and of course to Twmbarlwm – great pictures!

  6. Always happy when 1a falls immediately, though I can’t say the same for 5a, which took a few moments to sort out. Enjoyed the whole thing today, a little more challenging than yesterday but no real hold-ups. Impressed by the surface reads of some clues, especially 12a, my runaway favourite. I also liked 10a, 11a, 18a and 13d. Thanks to our setter and Twmbarlwm.

  7. Rather like tipcat above, once the first few went in the rest fell in to place. I agree with the small hill in Wales that the surfaces were nice. I picked 13d out of a long list.
    Has anyone noticed that if you click on the menu on the app it gives some examples and wordplay, the first of which has the enumeration wrong! I have emailed CL along with another plea to get the Sunday Toughie on the app

  8. 10a reminds me of the line “Apart from that , Mrs Lincoln, what did you think of the play?”
    An enjoyable challenge , thanks to Twmbarlwm and the setter.

  9. I was right on wavelength with this one and consequently it fell very quickly. I too noticed only single word answers which is highly unusual. Lots to like – notably some great surfaces, especially 28a for its surface, 17d for the anagram but my COTD goes to 13d which I thought was quite original. */****

    Thanks to the mystery setter and MrT

  10. Friendly and very entertaining – what more could you ask from a crossword

    Many thanks to the setter and Twm

  11. Elegant and witty indeed, with pleasing surfaces, even though 13d is by no means common (unless it’s among GenZers) over here Across the Pond. It’s a rare thing for me to choose a cricket-related clue, but 28a amused me, along with those in the NE on my podium: 7d, 10a, & 5a. Thanks to Twm, especially for the Munch 1d, and today’s setter. **/****

    With Covid raging again in my benighted state, I’m off, masked and apprehensive as usual, to see the chiropodist, the first time I’ve left the house since November.

    1. All went well at the doctor’s, but there two unmasked patients in the waiting room. Tsk, tsk. Finished the terrific Dada Toughie while there. Re 13d in the cryptic, can someone write a sentence using the definition in a sentence for me?

        1. Thanks, Stone W and Mustafa G! Yes, very good. Great examples…and I have heard such a use over here; I just drew a blank. In fact, I used to play a mean piano!

  12. Entertaining stuff – thanks to our setter and Twmbarlwm.
    I’ve awarded my medals to 18a, 1d and 13d.

  13. Ah, that’s better ( after yesterday) straightforward, but needing a bit of grey matter.
    Thanks to setter.

    1. Oh dear! I suppose those of us with tiny brains are such a pain when a puzzle is designed with us in mind. I’m sorry to be such a nuisance but I think you’ll get some more challenges as the week progresses.

  14. A few, maybe less, Tuesdays ago, Cephas ‘suggested’ that, because of the grid used for the Quickie, that day’s setter was Anthony Plumb. Apparently, Mr Plumb always uses the same Quickie grid (until he doesn’t!). Well, that Quickie grid has been used again today, so five bob on Mr Plumb being today’s setter.

    A very enjoyable puzzle, just right for a Tuesday – **/****.

    Favourite – a toss-up between 26a and 3d – and the winner is 26a.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Twmbarlwm.

  15. Nil return from my first read through but then North came on board followed by South at a slower pace. 21a synonym has become a bit of a bad penny and I cringe at 8d dessert.
    Suppose 4d seed “synonym” is acceptable and not sure about 13d. Surely up usually follows 15d. Thank you Messrs. Ron and T.

  16. Woo-hoo! Two days in a row – completed without help. Extraordinary. The sky is dark with all the hats thrown in the air.

    Very pleasant day yesterday – a late Valentine treat for H (and me!). We had an early supper at my club and then went to see the wonderful ‘Noises Off’ at the Phoenix Theatre (I had seen it on its first run at the Savoy in the 1980s). Finished the evening with a couple of drinks at the Soho Hotel, before driving back.*
    Noises Off is highly recommended if you find yourself in London. Simply a really funny farce with the delight of seeing Felicity Kendall and Matthew Kelly in fine form.
    *Neither of us had any alcohol.

    Thanks to the setter and The Twmp.

    1. I so agree Terence, I saw Noises Off back in the 80’s and I thought it was absolutely brilliant, it absolutely hit my giggle button.

    2. I first saw Noises Off when my colleague in the Department of English directed the local production at the Footlight Players here in Charleston. LMAO. Then I saw a revival of that one. LMAO again. Brilliant show. Michael Frayn, the playwright, also wrote the brilliant drama Copenhagen, as well as a number of very fine novels.

      1. I should really reread Towards the End of the Morning. It’s been a long time but I vaguely recall that among the things the journalist characters get up to there’s some crossword compiling involved.
        As you probably know, Michael Frayn is also an aficionado of Azed’s puzzles in The Observer (he may even do the Telegraph’s puzzles!). There’s a story of Azed introducing himself to MF at a book festival, with a beaming Frayn turning to his wife Claire Tomalin to say, “This is the man who ruins your Sundays!”.

        1. No, I didn’t know about MF’s being an Azed aficionado, nor about his crossword connection in general. ‘Headlong’ is my favourite of his novels I’ve read, but I haven’t read Towards the End of Morning yet (but I will now). It appeared over here under the title Against Entropy, I’ve discovered.

        1. I loved it, some time ago! Wasn’t Monarch of the Glen actor, can’t remember his name (Richard …) also in The GoodcLife?

            1. Not to mention Penelope Keith and Paul Eddington. Regardless of what the youngsters may say, there are very few of today’s TV series that deliver so much enjoyment.

  17. A cracking puzzle that provided lots of smiles, that was over far too quickly.

    1*/4*

    Fav 7d LOI 3d

    Thanks to the setter & Twmbarlwm

  18. Just about the right level for a Tuesday and quite an enjoyable solve. No particular favourite here although 7d did raise a smile.

    Thanks to our setter and to Twmbarlwm for the review.

  19. So neatly constructed throughout.
    And pleasant to solve.
    Last in 5a, very clever.
    So, */4*
    Many thanks to the setter and to Twmbarlwm for the humorously illustrated review.

  20. 1a was straight in, but I could kick myself for missing the lurker in 6d until near the end. 10a brought a smile. Thank you setter and T.

  21. I found this to be on the straightforward side of straightforward but good fun nonetheless.
    My prodium placers are 1,5&28a plus the mean 13d.
    Many thanks to the setter and Twmbarlwm.
    For those with time on their hands have a go at today’s Dada Toughie, not much more difficult than his Sunday puzzles.

  22. Apart from a few unusual synonyms,, 13 d particularly , this was quite an enjoyable crossword. I particularly vliked my COTD 28a ( unusual for me to enjoy a crickety clue!). 5a, 15a and 19d were also good clues. Thanks to Twmbarlwm for the hints and to the compiler

  23. A tricky Tuesday puzzle in many areas but just required a bit of grey matter use and some head scratching too.

    2*/4* for me today

    Favourites include 1a, 10a, 11a, 1d, 3d & 17d with winner 1a

    Thanks to setter and Twmbarlwm

  24. Loved it. Very entertaining and good fun. My favourite was the quite excellent 10a.

    My thanks to whomsoever is responsible for this little gem, and to Mr T.

  25. 2*/3.5*. I solved this over breakfast as usual but have only just got around to posting. I think what Jane says @19 pretty much sums it up for me.

    Thanks to all.

  26. Really enjoyed this with not too many hold-ups. The Toughie is also quite benign and finished it unaided for only the third time so do urge people to have a go as it is very doable. Thanks to all.

    1. By the way, thanks to whoever mentioned The Mind under the Features button above yesterday. After all this time on the blog never knew it was there and would have saved me hours of time looking up obscure Poet Laureates, the Greek alphabet etc.

  27. I found this very enjoyable and managed to complete it. I am particularly pleased with having remembered pi from last week which proves I am still capable of learning and retaining new information!
    Twmbarlwm’s hints helped me understand why a couple of the answers were what they were, particularly 13d which was a new synonym to me. I thought 17d was clever and my favourite – I was using the wrong 2 words for the anagram for a while before the penny dropped.

    May thanks to the setter for the fun and to Twmbarlwm for the explanations.

  28. Good afternoon
    Bit of a slow start over the morning tea, but I got there in the end. Thank you to our compiler – I think 10a deserves a “Crikey!” – and to Twmbarlwm for the explanations.

  29. Straight in with 1a. That was a favourite together with 10 and 18 and 13d which was LOI. I got the top half quickly. Bottom left not so, but it was self inflicted by putting 28a into 27. Other problem was that I hastily put in one of the other usual four letter cheeses in 24d. Unlike some of you I like the multi word answers as I find them easier than single word long answers. Thanks to Mr Plulb if it be he and Twmbarlwm.

  30. Well not two days in row for me but since I only needed a handful of hints I’m fairly happy with myself.
    Thanks for these.

  31. This was right up my straße, two days in a row, I can’t believe my luck. This needed a little more thinking than yesterday. Didn’t get “mean” for 13d, so thanks to our commenters above for the explanation. I always like when 1a goes in right away, always a good sign. Lots to like, hard to choose a fave, maybe 10a or 28a.
    Thank you setter for the fun and Toombarloom for the hints and pics.

  32. Solved early doors but out all day & first chance to comment. Found the puzzle pretty straightforward & okay (ish) but can’t say I found it memorable. Perhaps unsurprisingly 27a my fav – was fortunate to enjoy hospitality at Muirfield when Mickelson won the Open there in 2012 (I think) – a wonderful links.
    Thanks to the setter & T.

  33. Whoever is the setter, Tuesday always seems to fall in place for me. 2d last in and favourite. Simple but equally excellent. Thanks to TWB even though hints not needed!🙂

  34. I enjoyed today’s puzzle and got off to a good with 1a an 1d straight in and 26a last one in! Lots of good clues. I did hesitate on 13d but I did have the checking letters. Many thanks to Twmbarlwm and the setter.

  35. I have to say that I’ve been very disappointed with the quality of the crosswords over the past 12 months. I think laziness is creeping in with the setters, and the intellectual level is dropping through the floor. I just randomly picked up last Boxing Day’s crossword (yes I’m untidy) and it contains Shatter and Yielded. I get the impressions they are going through the motions!

    1. I don’t think anyone who manages to put together a cryptic puzzle is “going through the motions”. I might not always like or enjoy what’s on offer, but that isn’t down to the setter anyway. They don’t get to pick which day or slot their efforts get assigned to. And sometimes their clues are also editorially amended. Yes I grumble when something is way above my head and would be more appropriate in the Toughie slot, but as to the same answers occasionally showing up? Those are the ones that help us less gifted to get a foothold sometimes.

    2. I have been doing crosswords off and on for probably 50 + years. Since I retired I do them more often and, since I joined this group several years ago, I have learned more of the tricks of the trade. I cannot agree with your perception of laziness, reduction of intellectual level (whatever that means) or going through the motions. There is variety of setters, different levels, and particular styles. Some suit some of us more than others. I call it a “wavelength thing”. You may find they are more standardised in some papers which may suit you better.

  36. I think your comments are very unkind Paul. The puzzle usually gets harder as the week progresses so as to appeal to a broad audience. There is also the Toughie for the more experienced and intelligent! It’s inevitable that words will be repeated but not the clues.

    1. I didn’t mean to be unkind Hilary and I apologise if it seems that way. I understand the easy to harder as the week progresses but even bearing that in mind, I think the standard of the crossword has dipped since, say, 5 yrs back. And trust me I’m not saying that it’s because I’m getting better, quite the reverse. My intellect has been eroding. I just think that The Telegraph crossword should still be “an array of lights”! Funnily enough The Times and Guardian seem to be going the same way.

    2. Hilary, you’re quite right, the Toughie is designed for people like Paul, those who are far more cerebral than we are. However, try looking at the commenters on the Toughie side and you’ll note that you won’t find Paul there … and a few others who like to belittle those of us of limited intellect. This tells me that they are not interested in doing a puzzle designed for them and want to make the less difficult puzzle up to their standards … or maybe the Toughie is too tough for them?

      1. Wow! I’m just a genuine bloke with, I think, a valid point of view and I get that sort of horrible sarcastic response! I never said other members are of limited intellect but your response speaks for itself. Sorry Big Dave my time here is done! 🤣

        1. Don’t give up Paul. I think you’ll find that they’re much more likely to banish me … watch this space!

        2. Hi Paul, I think that your point of view on that aspect should perhaps be sent to the puzzles editors of the various papers you mention, rather than the commenters on a crossword blog? We regularly bitch, moan, praise or admit stupid errors here but the overall quality of the puzzles is their domain.
          Your comments on individual puzzles are always welcome here, so be assured of a welcome where those are concerned.

  37. Marginally more difficult than yesterday’s but equally smooth, but that’s how it should be. Cotd was either of the golf ones at the bottom, I don’t play golf. Thanks to the setter and T.

  38. Went wrong at 21a I saw a lurker which seemed to fit the clue. I wonder if the setter did this deliberately to mis-direct.did anyone else fall for it? Thanks for the hints.

    1. Well spotted! I didn’t notice it myself but I can see that if you’re stuck it might be tempting to think it’s no coincidence and write it in. But I don’t think it can be justified by the wording in the clue, which lends itself to a homophone, and not to a lurker: I can’t see any indication, even accidental, that the solution is hidden in the clue. (That doesn’t mean the setter didn’t do it deliberately as a red herring, of course.)

  39. Late in commenting because the Diploma essays I had marked today were dreadful. I always find it much harder to mark and grade a bad essay than a good one and each one today was bad. So, when I finally got round to the puzzle, I was brain dead and could not get a foothold.

    I hate it when work interferes with my enjoyment! 😡

    Hopefully, tomorrow’s essays will be better and I will be in a better frame of mind for the cryptic.

  40. Great crossword. Liked the variety of clues . Favourites 2d, 10a 12a and 18a
    Thanks to setter and Twmbarlwm

  41. No time for this most entertaining crossword yesterday so completed over mid morning tea, hard to pick a favourite from among this plethora of fine clues but I think 10a fills that position. Thanks to the setter and Twmbarlwm

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