Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30913
Hints and tips by Shabbo
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I am standing in for Huntsman today as he is about to 1d in Portugal, provided that his flight was able to land given the power problems in both Spain and Portugal at the moment. Anyway, who needs Portugal when you have weather like this in the UK. Hard to believe that it is still only April (just!).
I found this to be considerably easier than yesterday’s offering. In fact, if you were to choose a puzzle to teach beginners how to solve cryptic puzzles, this one would be ideal. All scrupulously fair and clearly indicated. I will almost feel guilty when I take my pint off Huntsman for stepping in for him!
I am not convinced about the Quickie Pun, not having much use for such products, if indeed I am correct.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
Across
1a Short walk? Certainly, dear (8)
TREASURE: synonym of walk (a verb) without the final letter (short) + synonym of certainly.
5a Fruit bats last to leave (6)
BANANA: synonym of bats (think bonkers) without the last letter.
9a Describes six planes nearly up in the air (8)
EXPLAINS: anagram (up in the air) of SIX PLANE(s) with again the last letter being ignored (nearly). Three clues in a row where the final letter is dropped.
10a Match official‘s sign of hesitation before quiet rage (6)
UMPIRE: two letter interjection indicating hesitation or uncertainty + musical abbreviation for quiet + synonym of rage.
12a Searching around Northern Ireland is exhausting (9)
FINISHING: synonym of searching outside (around) the abbreviation for Northern Ireland. Exhausting as in “using up”.
13a Half of bust plus stomach (5)
STAND: second half of (bu)ST and a word meaning “plus”. Stomach (verb) as in bear.
14a Joke entertaining new crowd (4)
GANG: synonym of joke outside (entertaining) abbreviation for New.
16a Obvious I’ve returned with depression (7)
EVIDENT: IVE backwards (returned) + synonym of depression (think a hollow in a surface caused by impact).
19a Jumper a sewer fixed? About time! (7)
SWEATER: anagram (fixed) of A SEWER outside (about) abbreviation for Time.
21a Discover female is nude on a regular basis (4)
FIND: abbreviation for Female + the odd letters (on a regular basis) of Is NuDe.
24a Set foot in two hospital departments (5)
ENTER: join together the abbreviations for two hospital departments, the second being an unindicated Americanism, just to annoy RD.
25a Left one day after a party (9)
ABANDONED: ONE + abbreviation for Day after A + synonym of party (think group of people).
27a Hilltop covering ancient city’s tunnel (6)
BURROW: synonym of hilltop outside (covering) crosswordland’s usual two-letter ancient city.
28a Controlling man I don’t fancy (8)
DOMINANT: anagram (fancy) of MAN I DON’T.
29a Winding up boyfriend in general? Only partly (6)
ENDING: hidden word clue (only partly). Our solution is lurking in plain sight within words 3-5 of the clue.
30a More intelligent, annoying person changing direction inside? (8)
BRIGHTER: synonym of “annoying person” with the L replaced by R (changing direction inside).
Down
1d Get to do this on a golf course? (3,3)
TEE OFF: double definition. The first one meaning “annoy” (informal). Definition 3 in my on-line Chambers.
2d Former lover criticised, by the sound of it, getting flesh out (6)
EXPAND: two-letter word meaning “former lover” + homophone (by the sound of it) of a synonym of criticised.
3d Catches small horses (5)
SNAGS: abbreviation for Small + informal term for horses.
4d Classifying administered by Charles? (7)
RANKING: synonym of administered + Charles III.
6d Acknowledgement from District Attorney over delegation (9)
ADMISSION: abbreviation for District Attorney upside down (over) + synonym of delegation (or deputation).
7d Upset I get data mixed up (8)
AGITATED: anagram (mixed up) of I GET DATA.
8d Story one acted out (8)
ANECDOTE: anagram (out) of ONE ACTED.
11d Silver uniform with initially excellent fit (4)
AGUE: chemical symbol for silver + abbreviation for Uniform + initial letter of Excellent.
15d PM following leaders of nations out of necessity (9)
AFTERNOON: synonym of following + initial letters (leaders) of Nations Out Of Necessity.
17d See lambs frantically flock together (8)
ASSEMBLE: anagram (frantically) of SEE LAMBS.
18d Relax, Oscar – claret’s put back (8)
RESTORED: synonym of relax + phonetic alphabet letter represented by Oscar + “claret” wine.
20d Wander around river with nothing on in the morning (4)
ROAM: abbreviation for River + letter signified by “nothing” + abbreviation for “in the morning”.
21d Smack student in act of clemency (7)
FLAVOUR: abbreviation for student or Learner inside synonym of “act of clemency”. Think “taste” rather than “strike” for the definition.
22d Young child at home following social worker (6)
INFANT: word meaning “at home” + abbreviation for Following + social worker (think insect).
23d Rubbish idea almost upset my boss (6)
EDITOR: synonym of rubbish + IDE(a) (almost = remove the last letter) upside down (upset).
26d Preparing fashionable pet clothes (5)
DOING: synonym of fashionable with canine pet outside (clothes).
Quickie Pun: AIR + TON + NICKS = HAIR TONICS
I totally agree with Shabbo that thus was less tricky than yesterday’s and that it was very enjoyable.
I struggled with the Quickie pun too.
Top picks for me were 30a, 21d, 18d and 15d.
Thanks to Shabbo and the setter.
Forgot to say, Steve C, you have been in our thoughts these past few days. Hope you are bearing up.
Yes you are missed
A gentle and very pleasant solve, much more Mondayish than Monday’s offering. The succinct clueing was fair and accurate throughout with no obscurities. What’s not to like? The podium is contested today by 10a, 27a, 15d, 18d and 23d. Thanks to our setter and Shabbo.
Very satisfying and pleasurably (for me) gentle puzzle. Reassuring after the defeat by yesterday’s more tricky Monday offering. Thanks to setter and Shabbo
Well I really enjoyed this one. It may have been at the easier end of the spectrum, but no less pleasant for that. There was enough complexity to keep the little grey cells happily occupied, without feeling that, rather than a battle of wits you are engaged in a war of attrition (as has been the case with some puzzles of late). */**** for me.
I’m not one hundred per cent certain – but could it be argued that the anagram fodder for 7d is “I GET DATA” and that the words ” Upset” and “mixed up” could each be read as either the definition or the anagram indicator? (Clever eh?)
Many thanks to both substitute hinter Shabbo, and the setter.
A very nice puzzle with plenty to like.
My only pause was to spot the first definition of 1d.
Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the review.
Pretty much back to normal in our part of Spain; the only slight irritation is the intermittent telephone calls and mobile data. At least the house wifi is working fine.
Very enjoyable guzzle today with no hold ups. I can’t see the Quickie pun either. I echo Madflower’s comments Steve, your blog family will all be thinking of you today.
Thank goodness that one constant factor, for the time being at least, in these turbulent times is a Typically Tuesdayish offering from Anthony Plumb – **/****
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 27a, 15d, and 22d – and the winner is 15d for the PDM on the fact that PM was the definition not the holder of a particular office!
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Shabbo. Special thoughts and prayers for Steve C today.
Another solid crossy from The Prof that will please everyone.
Spring is when things start to happen in the animal kingdom and it looks like The Prof was in ‘that’ mood with 13a, 21a, 28a, 2d and 20d.
My podium is 15d, 18d and 23d.
MT to the aforementioned and supersub Shabbs.
1*/4*
Me, on Saturday: “Oh! Listen! The cuckoo is back!”
Me, on Sunday: “Quite a vocal little fellow isn’t he?”
Me on Monday: “Hmmm…”
Me, today: “Shut up! Shut up! Shut UP!
Glovely guzzle. Really enjoyed solving it. Good to be able to inform the committee that they may all relax in their muumuus and espadrilles.
Thanks to the setter and Shabba-dabba-doo
As usual Tuesday brings lots of good, clean fun and no sweat. Nothing to hmm about but thanks again to AP and to Shabbo for being there in case of need.
Definitely ay the easier end of the spectrum, but no less enjoyable for that. My favourite was the cleverly deceptive 15d. I’m still not sure I quite follow the non-golf element of 1d and only got the smack at 21d thanks to my rudimentary Dutch coming in useful for once. Thanks very much to the setter and to Shabbo for wearing the no.12 shirt.
Well done to your wife for helping with 21d.
Ha ha, I deserved that for bragging about my hours spent on Duolingo.
Does this help for 1d?:
Double definition. The first one meaning to annoy (informal). Definition 3 in my on-line Chambers.
Thanks, I see it now – the first definition being “get to”, as would have been perfectly clear from your original hint if I’d not set the font size on my screen at some age-inappropriate level!
Gentle and enjoyable – thanks to our setter and Shabbo.
I agree with others that the Quickie pun is not one of the best.
Ticks from me (all for well-disguised definitions) are awarded to 29a, 1d and 2d.
1*/4*. Enjoyably, typically Tuesdayish (despite being annoyed by the Americanism in 24a as Shabbo correctly surmised!)
My top two picks were 1d & 15d.
Many thanks presumably to AP and to Shabbo.
A gentle solve for this beautiful sunny day. Monday’s offering these days seems to be more challenging , so this one was welcome and without a spoonerism (which I only just understood having read the hints – hair of course !) Hope I wasn’t the only person trying to make a fruit out an anagram of OLEAVE ? Was obvious of course with all the checkers in place. Thanks so much to the setter and to Shabbo
A nice Monday puzzle but on a Tuesday. Nothing to damage the grey matter, but plenty of enjoyment.
I didn’t actually decipher the ‘get to’ part of 1D but didn’t need it anyway.
Thanks to the setter and Shabbo.
Amazed to see that the temperature in the UK is on a par with what we have here In Kefalonia. I’d rather be here though. 😁
I was hoping to attach a photo of the pool and gorgeous view at our holiday villa, but the site software doesn’t seem to like Android phones and only gives me the option to attach photos straight from the camera, and these are always over 2 megabytes. 😮💨
Lovely Monday guzzle on a Tuesday! So many glues ticked my top ten especially 25 and 30a. Thankyou to setter and Shabbo.
As many have said our thoughts are with Steve today.
Bijou, IMHO Tuesdays are usually plainer sailing than Mondays.
I’m all for plain sailing on both days!
I’m going against the tide by saying that this was not my cup of Rosie. Not sure why but there you go. Sorry, but thanks AP and also to Shabbo.
A typical Tuesday puzzle this week …. easier than Monday, for certain.
Nothing to scare the horses today at all.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites 9a, 16a, 4d, 17d & 26d — with winner 26d
Smiles for 1a, 24a, 1d & 26d
Thanks to AP & Shabbo
I would have commented earlier if we had not had a problem at the Community Hall. It doesn’t do to be the nearest Trustee! Enjoyed this guzzle with the birds twittering around us and someone mowing acres of lawn, Oh to be in England ……etc. I still don’t really get 1d but as it’s a crickety thing, or golfy if you like, I feel sufficiently relaxed to let it be. Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Shabbo. Thinking of you Steve.
Not had time for the crossword yet, but just wanted to say I sent the blogs sympathy and good wishes to Steve C. I missed the funeral (getting Mama Bee to Sister Numero Uno and nightmare traffic on M62) but was able to catch up with Steve afterwards. He greatly appreciates all your thoughts and promises to be back on the blog as soon as he catches up with some of his marking
Thank you for letting us know and for the lovely photo.
Thanks for the update SJB – I do like a man (better still, two men) in a nice white shirt!
Ties and jackets off by then- the weather was cracking flags
Can someone explain please how the answer to the second word of the quickie pun relates to the clue. Thanks to the setter and hinter.
Hello SL
The answer to 3ac is a synonym of fashion. It is an old term related to Upper Classes being fashionable.
A lovely puzzle on a beautiful day. Thoroughly enjoyable with too many good clues to pick just one.
Like others I have been thinking of Steve.
Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the hints.
Phew, that was a relief after yesterday. I hesitated to ink in 1d as it just didn’t seem cryptic enough. 8d was a gift as that is the third time I have seen that in a crossword this week. Obviously familiar with 19a living across the pond, but somehow I cannot just never say that, always say jumper instead. Likewise I cannot say garage to rhyme with Farage… even after 43 years. But a really enjoyable puzzle, thanks to AP and Shabbo.
Thinking of Steve today.
The answer to 1d seemed obvious but I also failed to see the significance of “get to” and then I sabotaged myself by putting “punishing” for 12a.
A super Tuesday puzzle, perfect for a sunny day. Just enough head-scratching so as not to finish it too quickly. Question is, do I now venture into Toughie territory? 🤔
If that wasn’t my fastest ever solve then it was pretty close to it, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it because I did. LOI was 21d for no reason other than it just was, something has to be last. Thanks to AP and Shabbo. I was thinking about you earlier Steve.
1*/ 3* Gentle puzzle but still enjoyable, liked 1a, 21d and favourite 15d excellent misdirection
Thanks to setter and Shabbo
Thanks to Shabbo for filling in. Gentle even for a Prof puzzle but still enjoyable. At 10 pm yesterday evening I was the first bit of 1d as I seriously doubted the wisdom of departing this morning to a potential disaster zone but having arrived all power restored & networks up & running so ready to tackle the 2nd bit. Couldn’t make head nor tail of the pun even after I’d figured out the answer to 3a.
Thanks both.
To complete a crossword sitting at a picnic table by a stream in the Elan valley with 2 Chaffinches for assistance has to more than make up for not being able to walk with the others.
Lovely day with thanks to the setter and Shabbo.
PS thought the quickie pun was just more Eastenders stuff
I really enjoyed today’s puzzle especially after yesterday’s mental challenge! Made a good start earlier in the day but had to break off and not been able to catch up until this evening. I didn’t get the Quickie pun despite getting the correct clues! Many thanks to AP and Shabbo. My thoughts are with Steve C.
Another engaging puzzle to start the day! The balance between challenge and solvability was spot-on, and the clues were cleverly constructed. I particularly enjoyed the wordplay in 14a—it was both witty and satisfying to unravel. Thanks to the setter and the team for the insightful hints that enhance the solving experience.
Welcome to the blog, Next Level Suit.
After so many comments saying how gentle this was, I thought I’d give it a go as a treat before bedtime … and wished I hadn’t! This was beyond my abilities: too many anagrams for a quick start, then I got stuck about two-thirds of the way through, and lost count as to whether I used 6 or 7 of Shabbo’s hints — for which many thanks.
My favourite was 23d for the setter’s boss. Thank you to the setter; I aspire to be able to solve crosswords like this, but it may take a while.
Stick at it! It took me ages!
Good evening
I see that RogB isn’t in the house today, so I’m going to try and get away with a dreadful old cliché: it was a game of two halves!
The top half went in straightforwardly enough, but I had a little wobble before tackling the vast inkless wasteland of the bottom half.
Entertaining, witty clueing, with COTD going to 15d, if only for the misdirection given by the “PM” in the clue.
Many thanks to our setter and to Shabbo.
1a still troubles me. I can see TRE as short for trek, and SURE for certainly…but where does the A come from?
I think the walk is tread rather than trek
Thank you! I couldn’t see it for looking !
2*/3* ….
liked 15D “PM following leaders of nations out of necessity (9)”