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DT 30757

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30757
Hints and tips by Huntsman

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

A pleasant and not too demanding puzzle to brighten up a dull start to the day here in Harpenden. As ever nicely clued & with a couple of gently misleading surfaces.

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 Garment missing last pocket (7)

TROUSER: remove the last letter (missing last) from an item of clothing giving you a slang term for pocket or misappropriate.

5a Expert recalled awful worker (3,4)

DAB HAND: reverse (recalled) a synonym for awful + another word for worker.

9a Fixed costume (7)

UNIFORM: double definition – the first an adjective & the second a noun.

10a Complaint from this writer will regularly incense readers, ultimately (7)

ILLNESS: a contraction for how this writer may express his intention to do something + the alternate letters of iNcEsS & the final letter (ultimately) of readerS.

11a Latin poet’s broken promise (9)

POTENTIAL: an anagram (broken) of LATIN POET.

12a Rodent inside that is foaming at the mouth (5)

IRATE: insert a rodent between the two letter abbreviation for that is for a term for a figurative expression of anger.

13a Duck departs house in the wilds, wanting lake (5)

DODGE: the single letter for Departs + a  non urban house lacking its initial letter (wanting Lake).

15a Cleaner put off by grand hospital department (9)

DETERGENT: a synonym for put off + G(rand) + the usual hospital department.

17a Heard cat moving in front of large church (9)

CATHEDRAL: an anagram (moving) of HEARD CAT + L(arge).

19a Venom from wasp – it evolves to an extent (5)

SPITE: hidden (from/to an extent).

22a Violent brother scratching head? That’s disgusting (5)

ROUGH: a shortening of brother less the first letter (scratching head) + an onomatopoeic word indicating disgust.

 

23a Ignored information about the French editor outside court (9)

NEGLECTED: assemble 4 bits of lego – reverse (about) a synonym for information then add the French  masculine definite article + the usual for editor with the abbreviation for court inserted between them.

25a Former lover with son eats quietly and gets bigger (7)

EXPANDS: insert (eats) the musical letter for soft or quietly + AND in the clue between the usual 2 letter term for a former lover & S(on).

26a Sort out a Republican row (7)

ARRANGE: A in the clue + R(epublican) + a synonym for row or order.

27a Meet heads of state attending talks involving San Franciscan youths (7)

SATISFY: the initial letters (heads of).

28a Control and make use of gear (7)

HARNESS: double definition.

 

Down

1d Upper-class politician embraced by the Democrat gets beaten (7)

THUMPED: insert (gets embraced by) the single letter for upper-class + the abbreviation for a Westminster politician into THE from the wordplay then append D(emocrat).

2d Dictionary includes daydreamer nearly missed out (7)

OMITTED: insert (includes) the truncated (nearly) surname of a daydreamer (fictional character in a James Thurber short story played by Danny Kaye in film) into the abbreviation for a famous dictionary.

3d Look down on second growth on toe (5)

SCORN: S(econd) + hard skin on the toe.

4d Rest cue potting second of balls (9)

REMAINDER: insert (potting) the 2nd letter of bAlls into a synonym of cue or prompt. Nowt to do with pool, snooker or 6d. Neat surface.

5d Training – this could be boring (5)

DRILL: a cryptic or double definition. Take your pick – my coin toss landed on the latter.

6d Game birds – all I shot (9)

BILLIARDS: an anagram (shot) of BIRDS ALL I.

7d A fit of anger after very little energy? That’s mean possibly (7)

AVERAGE: a synonym for fit of anger preceded by A from the clue + V(ery) + E(nergy).

8d Drop old penny then pick up small European coin (7)

DESCENT: insert E(uropean) between the letter for an old penny & a word that could mean pick up. Disregard my rambling – the letter for an old penny + E(uropean) & S(mall) + a coin. Pick up = the reversal indicator in a down clue for the single letter insertions. Thanks Wahoo.

14d Large mammals from Hampshire with Brazilian footballer mounted on top (9)

ELEPHANTS: the county abbreviation preceded by (on top/down clue) a reversal (mounted) of Brazil’s most famous footballer.

16d Great help untangling wire (9)

TELEGRAPH: an anagram (untangling) of GREAT HELP.

17d Rushes jobs (7)

CAREERS: double definition.

18d Proclaim election trickery, initially, supporting former president (7)

TRUMPET: the first letters (initially) of the 2nd & 3rd words of the clue beneath (supporting/down clue) you know who. A very apt surface.

20a Passionate campers could be here, by the sound of it (7)

INTENSE: the definition if split 2,5 is a homophone (by the sound of it) of where you would find campers.

21d Eternal idleness at sea? Not I ! (7)

ENDLESS: an anagram (at sea) of iDLENESS (not I).

23d Terrible ink’s inside a pen (5)

NASTY: the inside of iNk + A + pen or enclosure.

 

4d would be my pick of today’s clues with 6&18d on the podium.  Please let us know which clues you liked best.

Today’s Quickie crossword pun: CAM + FUR + ROYAL = CAMPHOR OIL

 

 

 

63 comments on “DT 30757”

  1. Another enjoyable puzzle today – fairly straightforward with a few curveballs thrown in. Another puzzle to encourage newbies. I liked the awful worker at 5a, the grand hospital department at 15a and the very topical election trickery at 18d. My COTD is the fit of anger at 7d.

    Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.

  2. On par with yesterday’s for ease and enjoyment, at least for me. I did need help via Chambers for three of the clues. Other than that all answered without too much sweat.

  3. Fairly easy puzzle, no problems parsing any of the clues. 4d and 14d were my candidates for COTD. Thank you setter and for the hints.

  4. Straightforward fare. Nice and gentle, but enjoyable too.

    Not sure about your 8d parsing Mr H. I had it as a old penny picking up small (S) Euro coin(CENT) though there is an extra E?… unless it should be ‘European small coin’. Confused? I am 😁

      1. That’s it – I missed the pick up bit & couldn’t figure the ES then completely ignored the coin bit – d’oh

  5. Great guzzle; glorious glues.

    Oh come on, we know you too well by now. You always bestow this level of praise when you have completed a guzzle without help; and we all know that’s once in the bluest of blue moons!

    Argh! Inner thoughts! Why do you have to intrude in my moments of triumph?

    Now for that, we have to return to your childhood. Have a little lie down on this couch…

    Thanks to the setter and Andy On The First Tee.

  6. I guess the word straightforward or synonyms thereof may feature quite regularly in today’s blog. It was well put together, though, and good fun while it lasted. COTD for me was 14d.

    Thanks to our setter and The Hintsman.

  7. I very much enjoyed this gentle accompaniment to my mid-morning coffee. Some lovely surfaces, and good variety of clue types. COTD 14d for the surface, pipped by 24d which was nominated for the same reason.

    A third way of parsing 8d : D homophone (picked up) of E Cent (small European coin).

    Many thanks to setter & Huntsman alike. Thank you for the Dire Straits track – the one permanent fixture in my DID 8 over the last 40 years.

  8. A gentle stroll through crosswordland today and enjoyable to boot. No real stand out clues for me.

    */*** Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

    I was trying to sign up for the email notification of new blogs but I am at a loss to find any sign of the ‘sidebar’ or ‘widget’ mentioned in the instructions. Any ideas?

    1. Hi, Eeyore, if you’re still reading this. I can’t see anything in the sidebar either, but I do see that when typing a comment (like this one) there are two checkboxes under it, one of which is ‘Notify me of new posts by email.’ Try ticking that the next time you’re posting a comment.

      1. Thanks for trying to help, but doing that just means you get loads of emails notifying you when new comments are added to the current blog.

        As far as I can tell, there is a facility whereby the site will send an email to tell you a new BLOG has been posted. I just can’t find a way of signing up to that.

        1. When you write a comment, Eeyore and before you post it scroll down. You will see two tick boxes one of which states “Notify me of new posts by email”. Tick that box then post your comment. It lets you know when a new blog has been posted. It’s the other tick box that tells you of new posts.

  9. Another great crossword for the Tuesday slot. The Prof and Robyn are most certainly ”The Dynamic Duo of Cross’em City” (lame, I admit)

    Lots of goodies to choose a top three from but I’ll with 14d (for using that county abbreviation), 18d and 23d.

    Many thanks to The Prof and Hoots Mon!

    1*/5*

  10. Relatively straightforward solve although the daydreamer took a while to surface – oh, him!
    Loved the image created of the large mammals and 16d loudmouth.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review – nice to see the clip from Oliver and the Siberian hamster sketch again.

  11. An enjoyable Tuesday puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
    I thought initially that 28a was a triple definition but two of the three are almost identical so it’s probably just a double.
    My ticks went to 5a, 14d, 18d and 23d.

    1. I also wondered whether 28a was a triple definition. Hopefully the setter will pop in to clear that up.
      A very gentle but pleasant solve.
      4d is my pick of the clues.
      Thank you setter and Huntsman.

    2. I read 28a as a double definition, the phrase ‘make use of gear’ resulting in a verb rather than ‘gear’ being read separately as a noun.

    4. Joining the discussion a bit late but having just looked up the answer in the dictionary, I think the clue may be a double definition in which the first definition is “control and make use of”.

      2. I came to the same conclusion after failing to differentiate between ‘control’ and ‘make use of’. If it’s just a double definition however I wonder why the setter didn’t omit the first two words of the clue.

  12. Today’s Toughie by Chalicea is quite friendly. If you haven’t tried a Toughie before then have a go.

  13. Easiest one in ages, no scribbling on the paper at the sides of the grid at all, always the sign that it was a breeze!

  14. Breezy fun. 18d made me smile. Thanks to our setter and Huntsman. Lovely clips as ever. I’ll overlook Dire Straits this one time!

  15. It’s all been said. Great fun. I’ve picked two oldies but goodies for the lower podium positions in 1a and 15a with the groanworthy 7d in top spot. That was a great clue. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  16. That was the baby bears porridge for me, like Jane the daydreamer was the last to fall but much fun on the way
    Thanks to Setter and Hintsman, don’t listen to ALP DS is fine here and other music appreciated too

  17. A typical Tuesday puzzle again this week on par with Monday’s offering for the most part. No real hangups and not weird or uncommon words to be seen! A couple of chestnuts thrown in, but still good to see.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 15a, 6d, 14d, 16d & 20d — with winner 14a.
    Smiles from 17a, 3d, 16d & 20d
    
A fun outing and thanks to AP & to Huntsman for hints/blog

  18. Back home from yet more wandering
    This didn’t take great pondering.

    Good to be reminded that 14d 18d.

  19. Yes, lovely jubbley. Apart from having had 1d as Trumped meaning beaten and wondering if we were having Republican electioneering thrust upon us it was a smooth solve. I’ve just had another appointment delivered for tomorrow at 11.15 so it will be yet another late solve. I’m getting fed up with it. It was nice being reminded of Walter at 2 down – I acted with Danny Kaye once at the Albert Hall. How’s that?! Well I didn’t really act much but I did sit next to him on a bale or something. I think I shall plump for 16d as favourite. Many thanks to Setter and Hintsman – I actually knew the Brazilian footballer 😊

  20. Another lovely puzzle which brought some smiles.

    Top picks for me were 1a, 14d and 20d.

    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

  21. Unusually for a Tuesday that was a touch more challenging than yesterday’s guzzle but no less entertaining for that. All fair clues with some humour mixed in. Joint Favs for me the two 23s. Thank you MrP and Hintsman for a good ‘un. It will be down to earth no doubt tomorrow.

  22. The gentle week continues – long may it last! Thank you compiler and of course Huntsman for all the superb illustrations

  23. Another easy one I thought. Didn’t need any hints. Maybe my brain is just engaged this week. Record time too! I would go for 5d followed by 20a. As someone mentioned yesterday, some of us would never improve without this blob. Many thanks to all. Blog even. 🙃

  24. I thought I had 8d sorted out until other people had either ideas which put me into a muddle – I was right the first time!
    I found the right side was much harder than the other.
    Is 15a rapidly turning into a regular . . .
    I liked 5 and 19a (hate wasps!) and 6 and 23d. I think my favourite was 14d once I worked out who the Brazilian footballer was – well, I didn’t, – I had to look him up!
    Thanks to today’s setter and to Hintsman for the hints.

  25. Just right for a Tuesday, with a lovely mix of clues. I did need to read the hints to explain my answer to 2d. I had 23a as my favourite.

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

  26. Glad it was on the gentle side today as I completed it in my sleeping bag in a friend’s house who had had a small op at the hospital and she had to have a mate to stay for the night. I hardly slept a wink despite the bed being quite comfy but it was boiling in the sleeping bag so started the guzzle quite early feeling like death and polished it off before heading home to meet Mr Tesco and his delivery at 9 am. Question for football fans please. Why does the manager get fired when his team is not performing? The players are the grossly overpaid divas who are not up to the job if they are losing – just don’t get the logic. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman, with Steve’s recommendation I’ll give the Toughie a go now.

    1. A very good point, M.

      Under what grounds do you think a manager should get the Spanish archer (El Bow)?

    2. Having had to put up with this manager for a long time, a man who didn’t seem to encourage his players, I was pleased that a decision was made to let him go. The players are well paid or overpaid but they still need to be managed. I know football isn’t for everyone but for me it’s addictive. Sorry Manders for going on! I thoroughly enjoyed the guzzle today. Thankyou setter and hinter.

      1. But what does the ‘manager ‘ actually do! The players are ultimately responsible for their own pathetic performance! Yes?

        1. I’m with you on this, Manders. I have never understood why the manager is blamed when overpaid, cosseted players continue to have their overblown egos inflated even further.
          One of the reasons I cannot stand football.
          I will now shut up in deference to those misguided folk who worship the game. 😊

  27. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, probably because I didn’t need a single hint, and not so much as a sneak at Google etc. I was right on wavelength, happily as I wasn’t yesterday for some reason. Late starting today as we decided to head out for breakfast and run some errands this morning, so it was a pleasant surprise to find this waiting when I got back. Thanks to setter and to Huntsman. Off to print the Chalicea now.

  28. Very straight forward apart from the NE corner where I became confused 🤔 so ***/*** my favourites were 13 & 15a and 18d 😃 Thanks to the Compiler and to the Huntsman 👍

  29. Another enjoyable puzzle which I didn’t quite finish as needed the hint for 2d. I don’t quite know why but completed all the right-hand side before tackling the left. Many thanks to the setter and my goodness to Huntsman. You have been busy. Not just happily providing the hints but a selection of music to suit all tastes!

  30. I’m with the majority that this was as straightforward as they come but enjoyable. Not much else to say really. Favourite was 23a. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

  31. Good evening

    Aye! Fairly straightforward stuff without too much in the way of pondering. Liked 2d for COTD, but it takes runner-up position behind the supremely daft 14d!

    The only one to cause me a little hiccup when parsing was 8d.

    Many thanks to our setter and to Huntsman.

  32. I agree with Huntsman on stars…very enjoyable though…left me more time to get on with chores around the house…nice sometimes not to check words with OED…Doug.

  33. Thank you to Huntsman and commenters above who declared this to be gentle, meaning I decided to give it a go this evening. It was light and pleasant, with the Hampshire mammal in 14d being my favourite.

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