May 11, 2025 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Sunday Toughie 172 (Hints)

Sunday Toughie No 172


by Zandio

 

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

 

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Before we get going on the hints, I have a favour to ask. I have managed to secure a ticket to see Bruce Springsteen in Liverpool on the 7th of June, and although I should be home in the wee small hours of Sunday the 8th it is also my birthday😁🎂,  and I am looking for a volunteer to hint the Sunday Toughie that day. I will probably be tired/hungover but will be trying to solve myself so I can assist if required.

I started slowly last night but picked up the pace as checkers and linked clues helped. there are 14a and 14d clues today and I have hited half, further nudges may be available if you ask

Here we go…

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EV 1694 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1694 (Hints)

Final Scene by Kcit

Hints and tips by Phibs

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I thought I’d give ChatGPT a chance to impress, asking “A themed crossword tells us that the grid will represent the situation approaching halfway through the final scene of an opera. Can you suggest some operas where this point might be significant?”

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ST 3316 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3316 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, not helping with the wildfire situation, after a very pleasant 24 degrees yesterday the forecast is for 34 or 35 degrees today, tomorrow, and Tuesday and then the Mercury falls out of the bottom of the thermometer as we are forecast to ‘sink’ to 5 (yes five) degrees on Friday – fortunately the Red Scarf has not yet been put at the back of the wardrobe for the Summer.

For me, and I stress for me, in his own way, Dada quirkily friendly.  Two long ‘uns, seven anagrams (all partials!), two lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones all in a symmetric 29 clues; with 14, plus 1 bonus, hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.  And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!

Candidates for favourite – 20a, 23a, 25a, 3d, 7d, and 16d.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

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