DT 30655 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30655

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30655
Hints and tips by Huntsman

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **  Enjoyment ***

A distinctly cooler start to the day here in Harpenden & hopefully the rain will stay away for what will be my last chance for a game of golf this week. Rather disappointingly I’ve thought it sensible to give away my ticket to see Joan Osborne at the Union Chapel tonight as I’ll be on the 1st tee from 7am tomorrow announcing the ladies in the Aramco Team Series at Centurion so a late night isn’t maybe the best idea.

I can’t say I was overly taken with today’s guzzle during a brisk solve but rather warmed to it writing the hints. I still wouldn’t rank it as one of AP’s better ones but it was still enjoyable.

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.

Across

1a Cowboy might throw this girl round (5)

LASSO: a term for a girl or young woman followed by the letter that is round.

4a Where ships may be, generally (2,3,4)

IN THE MAIN: cryptic or double definition. Take your pick – my coin toss says the former.

 

9a Returning stick? (9)

BOOMERANG: a cryptic definition. If thrown it should return though it didn’t for Charlie Drake. I’ll spare you the song.

10a Rest feet, we’re told (5)

PAUSE: a homophone (we’re told).

11a Put back wriggling eel and carp (7)

REPLACE: an anagram (wriggling) of EEL & CARP.

12a Birds flop next to ash, dropping wings (7)

TURKEYS: a term for a flop in the context of a failed theatrical production for example. Append (next to) the middle letter (dropping wings) of aSh.

13a Giggle from wife leaving former social media site (6)

TITTER: remove (leaving) the single letter for Wife from the name of the social media platform before Elon changed it.

15a Brave – fine description of grey seal? (8)

FEARLESS: the single letter for Fine + what the grey seal could be described as being. Neat clue.

18a Washout oddly dries flower (8)

DISASTER: the alternate letters of DrIeS + a perennial flowering plant.

20a Ray pens Republican slogan (6)

MANTRA: a type of large ray belonging to the genus Mobula goes around (pens) Republican.

23a Tabloids maybe covering maiden’s babies (7)

PAMPERS: what tabloids are with the cricket abbreviation for maiden inserted (covering). The definition misleadingly masquerades as a plural noun.

24a Unpleasant group of farmers holding bucket? On the contrary (7)

PAINFUL: insert the three letter initialism for the agricultural union into (on the contrary) the receptacle that Jack & Gill went up the hill to collect.

26a New set of books editor celebrated (5)

NOTED: link the single letter for New with a biblical set of books & the usual abbreviation for editor.

27a Officer upset a bride, grabbing dress (9)

BRIGADIER: an anagram (upset) of A BRIDE surrounds (grabbing) a synonym for dress. The rank of Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart for any Doctor Who fans out there.

28a Obscene bather with no pants crossing river (9)

ABHORRENT: an anagram (pants – cue comment) of BATHER & NO with the single letter for River inserted (crossing).

29a Heroic tales, however you look at it (5)

SAGAS: palindromic (however you look at it) tales.

 

Down

1d Student I told off is released (9)

LIBERATED: the usual letter for a student + I from the clue + a synonym for told off.

2d Bend over in bar (5)

STOOP: place the cricket abbreviation for over into a synonym of bar or put an end to.

3d Aida perhaps at sea, regularly leaving work (7)

OPERATE: Verdi’s tragic musical work + the alternate letters (regularly leaving) of aT sEa.

4d Is framing enchanting person’s pictures (6)

IMAGES: place an enchanting person or practitioner of magic inside (framing) IS from the wordplay.

5d Sensible to fetch the woman (8)

TOGETHER: link TO in the clue with a synonym of fetch + an adjective for a woman. The definition I guess is in the sense of held it all etc.

6d Capital city’s uprising enthralling for each ruler (7)

EMPEROR: insert (enthralling) a word for each into a reversal (uprising) of a European capital.

7d Adult teen’s mum cooked for fun (9)

AMUSEMENT: the single letter for Adult + an anagram (cooked) of TEENS MUM.

8d Misses North European leaders in embarrassing D-day snub (5)

NEEDS: the single letter for North & for European + the initial letters (leaders) of the last three words in the clue. Wonder if Rishi finds time for the crossword.

14d Try out team with international competition (4,5)

TEST MATCH: link a word meaning to try out with a synonym for team with.

16d T- Rex had these potentially deadly things (5,4)

SMALL ARMS: another example (like 15a) of say what you see. The coin toss has landed on a double definition this time. Great clue.

17d Realistic answer restricted by strange beliefs (8)

FEASIBLE: insert (restricted by) the single letter for Answer into an anagram (strange) of BELIEFS.

19d Thin uncle, possibly supporting son (7)

SLENDER: the single letter for son precedes a synonym for uncle in the context of a colloquial term for a pawnbroker.

21d Manila’s wild beasts (7)

ANIMALS: an anagram (wild) of MANILA’S.

22d Hare, small type (6)

SPRINT: the single letter for Small + a synonym for type or lettering. Nowt to do with a long eared mammal.

23d Some plump and Asian creature (5)

PANDA: hidden (some) in the clue.

25a Shy romantic entanglement (5)

FLING: double definition.

 

16d&15a were my top two today with 14d on the podium. Please let us know which ones you liked best.

For those of you who have sat through & watched all of England’s games here’s a bit of Christy reminding us what happened in the group stages in 1988.

 

 

 

Today’s Quickie crossword pun: WAR + KIN + CAINE = WALKING CANE

 

 

60 comments on “DT 30655”

    1. Hi RP

      It wants us to think that someone is giving back the criticism they got from someone. So, there’s a bit of cryptic action going on.

  2. This may have been a fairly rapid solve but it was still good fun, with plenty of generally concise clues, which I prefer. 16d was my favourite this morning.

    My thanks to Mr P and The Hintsman.

  3. Nice and easy does it.

    An extremely gentle stroll through crosswordland that should please most punters.

    My podium is 18a, 27a and 28a.

    Many thanks to the prof and Hoots mon!

    1*/3*

  4. A puzzle that raised few smiles and caused few problems. An Aldi white loaf rather than a Waitrose seeded sourdough. 16d the best of a grey bunch.

    Zzzzzz. */**

  5. Order is restored! After Monday on a Sunday and Sunday on a Monday we have Anthony Plumb with as Typically Tuesdayish as it can get – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 20a, 5d, 19d, 22d, and 25d – and the winner is 19d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

  6. Benign and very Tuesday-ish. 9a felt distinctly GK rather than cryptic, though I do see TDS’s point, above. Biggest challenge was that the printed puzzle lacked any numbers in the grid, likewise the Toughie which I’ve now reprinted with numbers – a computer error at my end, I reckon. Podium to 20a , 16d & COTD 19d.

    1 / 2.5

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman

    3. Me as well, had to stick the numbers in myself, makes you wonder if they’re this slapdash with the news they print.

      1. “makes you wonder if they’re this slapdash with the news they print”

        You mean a change of government *wouldn’t* herald the the collapse of civilisation, and probably an asteroid strike to boot? :)

    4. Thanks all – I appreciate your affirmations that it was not my ineptitude at fault!

  7. Surely there can be no complaints today, unless some feel that they have been short changed. Proof that this crossword does cater for all abilities and that even a rapid solve can be very enjoyable. Favourite was 28a with podium places for 6d and 16d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  8. Very gentle, studded with some old favourites. 15a and 16d were my stand-outs too, no question. Thanks to the setter and H. Can’t beat a bit of T. Rex of a morning!

  9. My biggest problem this morning was having to solve on a printout with no clue numbers. Possibly because I was narked at this I didn’t enjoy the puzzle too much.
    I did like 23a.
    Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

  10. A gentle guzzle but no less enjoyable for rhat. I liked the 6d cryptic definition, the 1d lego clue and rhe military man at 17a. Thanks to Mr Plumb for a fun guzzle and to Huntsman for the hints

  11. Slow to get into the swim of things but once underway it went swimmingly with North leading the way. 16d remained unsolved. IMHO 23a somewhat iffy. 15a taught me the feature of grey seals. Thank you MrP and Hintsman (my goodness the club and ball game does seem to rule your life ⛳️)!).

  12. Gentle Tuesday puzzle to soothe all those anxious England fans! As our blogger says, perhaps not one of AP’s finest offerings but still enough to earn a few ticks along the way. Mine went to 15&20a plus 5&16d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review.

    1. Jane, your mention of anxious England fans made me think……

      There was a young fellow called Bellingham
      Who had fans, and simply was telling ‘em
      My overhead kick
      In the goal it did stick
      My privates are mine, I’m not selling ‘em.

      2. had to laugh @ this !
        as for the puzzle … 2*/4* ….
        liked 16D “T- Rex had these potentially deadly things (5,4)”

  13. Very enjoyable. Whilst 15a is very clever, I’m going for the unpleasant group of farmers in 24a as my cotd. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  14. Inexplicably my T Rex had short forelimbs for a while, I suppose compared to mine they are not that small but sorting that out was my only delay

    Thanks to Mr P and Huntsman

  15. A straightforward solve
    But soon will evolve
    Some guzzles much tougher
    And how we will suffer.

  16. Normal Tuesday puzzle for me, however, a little tricky to fill in the grid with no clue numbers!

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 4a, 1d, 5d, 16d & 25d — with winner 4a
    Smiles from 10a, 13a, 7d & 16d

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

  17. Done and dusted as they say with very little angst, the leveret being the last in at 22d. It is amazing how easy it is to become fixed on a distraction. And I had no idea that grey seals were aurally deprived. How do they hear? There must be a joke somewhere – It’s like ‘my dog has no nose’ “How does he smell?” ‘Awful’.
    If the Hintsman a few miles south of us has the same weather it is cold and wet and I would think he will be in dire need of the 19th hole by the end of the day. We are going to a Rotary garden party – what joy! Many thanks to both Setter & Hinter. PS just finished Sunday’s toughie. 😊

  18. Fairly gentle stuff, but it raised a few smiles along the way.
    The NE corner was last to fall with 8d being LOI.
    At 12a, I was fixated on trying to find a wild bird, not a domesticated fowl, which delayed me somewhat. It is also a bit of a curious surface read, unless I am missing something.
    Ticks for 15a, 28a, 17d and COD to the cryptic definition at 9a.
    Thank you setter and Huntsman. Enjoy your duties at Centurion over the next three days.

  19. This was for us slower solvers, such a welcome respite. Yes, I know, I’ve heard all the suggestions before, I should do the Sun crossword instead! But wasn’t this fun? I have one ?? and that is 2d, a bung in and I’m sure it’s wrong, I’m sure Huntsman will sort me out. My top three were 10a, 27a and 1d.
    Thank you setter for the fun and Huntsman for your hints and tips, I’ll look for my 2d now.

    2. Nothing wrong with The Sun’s Two-Speed crossword – usually entertaining, and because of the combination of definition clues and cryptic clues, a great way for beginners to get used to how cryptics work. It’s not easy for the setter to avoid using the same definition in the straight puzzle and the cryptic either. (I think NYDoorknob provides clues for some of them.)

        1. From about the age of 15, under my Dad’s instruction. I’m now 86, work it out!

        2. Yes, I know Merusa isn’t a beginner – I’ve been at BD since the beginning – and my comment obviously isn’t saying that she is. I was referring to people’s comments to her (and elsewhere) implying The Sun crossword is a puzzle for idiots.

          1. There are no “puzzles for idiots”. There are only puzzles that suit each person’s ability. 😊

            1. Well said, Steve! I just feel a bit inadequate when I struggle mightily and most others say how easy a puzzle was, can we have something more demanding!

  20. It took me 3 times as long to get 12a as the rest of the crossword. Couldn’t come up with the relevant flop synonym and as my partner is an avid birder I wasn’t going to let it defeat me.
    The numberless printout was a pain too.
    I enjoyed the puzzle and my top picks were 16d, 19d, 25d and 22d.
    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

  21. A typical Tuesday treat, with a nice mix of straightforward and a few trickier clues. My favourite was 27a.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.

  23. All my favourites in the SE today … 16D, 24A, 29A

    Many thanks to Setter and Huntsman

  24. Not the best of days – I’m not sure if I’m cold because I’m tired or tired because I’m cold but one way or the other I’m both and I didn’t enjoy the crossword all that much either.
    Right – time to find something nice to say about and stop grumbling!!
    I did like 1 and 10a and 5d. My favourite was 25d – made me smile!!
    Thanks to today’s the setter for the crossword and to Hintsman for his hints – and apologise for being such a misery.

  25. Was pleased to find this friendly crossword waiting for us when we got back from Peter’s CT scan this morning. Dealing with medical offices is trying enough for one morning. All fell in an orderly fashion from top to bottom, with favourites being 10a, 13a and 1d. I almost fell in the leveret trap, but there wasn’t enough spaces, and it was a while before 12a revealed itself. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

  26. Hi troops

    Re 14d, I am struggling to see how ‘team’ can be a synonym for the second word.

    Is this it…..As you get on so well, you team/***** up with him

    Can anyone give me a better example as I think mine is lame?

    Is it a PDM for TDS?

    1. Collins gives synonymous examples of “These shoes team with/blend with/correspond with your dress.”

      1. Thank you, Mr Tumble.

        Those examples need to have the word ‘with’ after them.

        I assume, in crosswordland, it’s okay to say that ‘match’ is a synonym of ‘team’ even though ‘team’ has to be followed by ‘with’?

        1. ‘Ignore me’.

          I’ve been looking at ‘team’ in the clue not ‘team with’ which the answer is a perfect synonym for.

          Apologies.

  27. Enjoyed today’s puzzle and learnt something new re 15a and 16d. My only holdup was 12a and that was with all the key letters! Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

    I was very sorry to read that our esteemed editor Mr Lancaster has been diagnosed with MND and wish him all the strength that we on this website can muster to boost his morale.

  28. Off piste for a minute, our friend Wahoo hails from one of those little islands, I believe Anguilla, I hope he’s fine. They got a hammering from Beryl, I think a cat5 at one point, that’s enough to do catastrophic damage. I have no idea how we’d find out how he’s doing.

  29. Well I liked this as several clues made me laugh. It was fairly straightforward but difficult enough in places. Cotd was 16d. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

  30. A dnf due to me running put of time with 12a. Spent way too long on this clue. Otherwise a straightforward solve.

    Thanks to all.

  31. A wonderful guzzle for a Tuesday. For some reason I found myself stuck on 12a. No idea why because the clue was fair and the answer (Once I saw it) was obvious. Oh well, the brain cells are getting on a bit! 😊 Lots of good clues but my favourite and COTD is going to fetch the woman at 5d.

    Thank you, setter whom I assume to be the professor in the library. Thank you Hintsman for the hunts.

    Hang on in there, my friends. By Friday it will all be over!

  32. A nice Tuesday puzzle as most have said. My last in was also 12a that I did have to think about for quite a while. Ended up going through the alphabet before the penny dropped. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

  33. Good evening

    Last Tuesday I had the misfortune to suffer a DNF at the hands of Mr Plumb; assuming it was him again today, I was about to hoy the sponge in yet again, until CLUNK!! The loudest penny-drop in history happened, and the tricky threesome in the NE quadrant finally revealed themselves, with 12a the last to fall. And why did it take me so long to twig 10a? Bleedin’ obvious, once you get it!

    COTD goes to 15a. Many thanks to Mr P (?) and to Huntsman.

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