DT 31027 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 31027

by Shabbo  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31027
Hints and tips by Shabbo

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Good morning, fellow puzzlers.

Sorry, but it’s me again!  Huntsman and I have swapped blogging days this week, so you have his contribution to look forward to on Thursday.

I thought today’s puzzle was light and accessible with some gentle misdirection to keep us on our toes.  32 concise clues perfectly pitched for a Tuesday. I only mention the number of clues (30 is probably the average) in the vain hope of a pay rise. One thing that I have learnt to do over the last couple of years of blogging is to pretend to be busy with one eye on the clock and the 11.00 deadline.  If I do it convincingly enough, the current Mrs Shabbo invariably volunteers to make my breakfast.

My ticks were for the goods in transit at 7d, the Yorkshire river’s characteristics at 9d and the perils of getting old at 16d.  23d was my LOI, as I wrestled for a while with the definition.

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.

Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.


Across

1a Girls following tips from newspaper editors adjust razors for close shaves (4,6)
NEAR MISSES: synonym of girls after (following) the initial letter (tips) of Newspaper Editors Adjust Razors.

6a Up to now, queen’s ignored chaise longue (4)
SOFA: two-word synonym of “up to now” without the final R (queen’s ignored).

10a Country clubs welcome new adult (5)
CHINA: abbreviation for Clubs + informal version of hello (welcome) + abbreviations for New and Adult.

11a Understanding doctor almost gets meaner (9)
AGREEMENT: anagram (doctor) of GET(s) MEANER. “Almost” tells us to remove the final letter of getS from the anagram fodder.

12a Is crack appearing after day’s end? (8)
DISSOLVE: abbreviation for Day + IS + synonym of crack (think detectives)

13a Giant bird – and tailless (5)
TITAN: small garden bird + AN(d).

15a Plain I have flipping depression (7)
EVIDENT: short form of “I have” backwards (flipping) + synonym of depression (or hollow)

17a Deals with grasping husband’s intimidating remarks (7)
THREATS: synonym of “deals with” (or manages) outside (grasping) abbreviation for Husband.

19a Cheers pop star’s experiencing (7)
TASTING: slang term for “thank you” + stage name of pop star Gordon Sumner. Jane would never speak to me again if I missed such an obvious opportunity to include a photo of him…

21a Damage uniform – this writer’s outfit (7)
COSTUME:  synonym of damage (as in “what’s the damage?”) + abbreviation for Uniform + ME (this writer).

22a Where film director might be beginning (5)
ONSET: join together a two-word expression meaning where one would expect to find a film director.

24a Information held in case I moved offices (8)
AGENCIES: three-letter synonym of information inside (held in) an anagram (moved) of CASE I.

27a In middle of match, say, male’s missed goal (9)
INTENTION: IN + middle letter of maTch + synonym of say without the initial M (Male’s missed).

28a The fellow’s enthralled by court case (5)
CHEST: synonym of “the fellow’s” inside abbreviation for CourT.

29a Finally seeing snake makes you draw in breath (4)
GASP: final letter off seeinG + the crossword setter’s favourite snake, although Cleopatra might disagree.

30a Principal had me caned – tears, unfortunately, to follow (10)
HEADMASTER: anagram (caned) of HAD ME + anagram (unfortunately) of TEARS coming afterwards. I don’t think I have seen “caned” used as an anagram indicator before and I think “to follow” is included to improve the surface read.


Down

1d Lovely new diamonds (4)
NICE: abbreviation for New + slang term for diamonds.

2d Sailor on island fibs about IT skills (9)
ABILITIES: abbreviation for sailor (Able-Bodied seaman) + abbreviation for Island + synonym of fibs outside (about) IT.

3d Chap’s admitting zero complaints (5)
MOANS: synonym of chap’s outside (admitting) letter signifying zerO.

4d Red vehicle secured by small grant (7)
SCARLET: synonym of vehicle inside (secured by) abbreviation for Small + synonym of grant (or allow).

5d Serious fear in West all leaders dismissed (7)
EARNEST: remove the initial letters (all leaders dismissed) of (f)EAR + (i)N + (w)EST.

7d Open six deliveries with seventh in transit (5)
OVERT: cricketing term for six balls bowled + the seventh letter of transiT. Clever.

8d Surprised a dishonest criminal (10)
ASTONISHED: anagram (criminal) of A DISHONEST.

9d Exploit Yorkshire river’s characteristics (8)
FEATURES: synonym of exploit (a noun) + a three-letter river in North Yorkshire.

14d Ruining dress drying toes (10)
DESTROYING: anagram (dress) of DRYING TOES.

16d Being old is limiting? Not half! (8)
EXISTING: two-letter synonym of old (or former) + IS + (limi)TING (not half).

18d Misprint mate’s menu for fun (9)
AMUSEMENT: anagram (misprint) of MATES MENU.

20d Rock climbing in secret in Argentina (7)
GRANITE: hidden word upside down (climbing in).  Our answer is hiding upside down within words 4-6.

21d Charlie discovered no jumper ultimately is washed (7)
CLEANED: abbreviation for Charlie (NATO phonetic alphabet) + synonym of discovered without the middle R (no jumpeR ultimately).

23d Read out quotes – lots (5)
SITES: homophone (read out) of quotes. Think “areas of land” for the definition.

25d Caught Oscar twice with a drink (5)
COCOA: abbreviations for Caught and Oscar twice + A.

26d Slightly move the jug (4)
STIR: double definition (the second is a slang term for prison).

Quickie Pun:  DUD  +  LEA  +  MORE  =  DUDLEY MOORE

59 comments on “DT 31027”

  1. I also thought **/*** and confess to needing Shabbo’s hints to understand the solutions to 10a, 12a, 7d and 21d! My favourites were 28a, 15a and 7d. Thanks to the setter and Shabbo.

  2. A fine puzzle for a Tuesday. Like our eminent blogger I too struggled with the parsing of 23d.

    Top picks for me were 21d, 5d and 9d.

    Thanks to Shabbo and the setter.

  3. 1*/ 3.5* similar difficulty to yesterdays, an enjoyable solve. Favourites include the long winded clue at 1a, the short winded answer at 29a and the reverse lurking rock at 20d.
    Thanks to setter and Shabbo

  4. I struggled more than usual with the professor today but once finished I could not see why. Perhaps my brain is a bit slow today. I had solved one of the across clues on the first pass but, fortunately, the downs came to the rescue. I found some of the parsing a little strange so will need the hints to sort these out. My COTD is 5d with all Western leaders being dismissed.

    Thank you Professor for the slightly tougher, for me, puzzle. Thank you, Shabbo for the hints.

  5. This was very gentle. That being said, I only got two of the across clues on the initial read. The down clues came quickly and then it was just a case of filling in the blanks. 15a and 21a were my favourite. Thank you to the setter and the review.

  6. i didn’t find this too tricky this morning, as most of it went in with a good flow. Happy to report no unparsed bungs-in, with the excellent reverse lurker at 20d my top clue.

    Many thanks to AP for the challenge and to Shabbo.

  7. This was a pretty straightforward guzzle and I enjoyed it. 14d and 8d were good anagrams and I liked the subtle misdirection in the Lego clues at 4d and 1a. Thanks ro the compiler and to Shabbo for the hints.

  8. Very enjoyable puzzle of medium difficulty for me. Some complicated and clever parsing as noted above. My favourite and last one in was the appearing crack at 12a for what I thought was a very clever clue (when eventually understood it)

  9. Not much to be said – as Typically Tuesdayish as ever! **/*****

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 15a, 29a, 2d, and 23d – and the winner is the succinct 23d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Shabbo.

  10. The grid layout, along with some concise clueing, ensured a straightforward and enjoyable completion. 
    Top clues are the misfiring striker in 27a and Charlie with his laundry woes at 21d.
    Thanks to our setter and Shabbo.

  11. Nice and gentle. Liked the chaise long reference and with 9 down I had an edge with a husband from Yorkshire. Will not post tomorrow because we have combined Macmillan and Arts Soc. garden party hosted by us and it looks as if the heavens will open.
    Thank you Mr. Plumb and Shabbo for giving the quiet distraction that blocks all other thoughts.

  12. More of a * today against yesterday’s ** for me. Maybe catching the last few days of summer aiding the solve. Like Shabbo loi was 23d, thanks to him and the Plumbster.

  13. Gentle entertainment from our setter today – thanks to him and Shabbo.
    The clues making my podium were 21a, 27a and 20d.

  14. 1*/4*. Excellent fare from the professor as usual. This was a real pleasure to solve with 21a & 20d fighting it for top spot.

    Isn’t “the” unnecessary in 26d?

    Many thanks to AP and the ubiquitous Shabbo.

    1. Hi RD

      Having done a bit of e-search *, it looks like ‘the’ is necessary as I found these examples:

      He spent five years in ****
      He spent ten years in the jug

      Maybe, in the former, ‘the’ gets used occasionally these days but, originally, it wasn’t.

      I’m oot and aboot and will hopefully have time to post later.

      * As opposed to research. I’ve just made that up. Is it a term, I wonder? It probably is.

  15. Well I was in smug mode when I completed this without Shabbo’s guidance, congratulating myself on spotting the Tuesday clever little nuances. Including, I thought, the v in the middle of the match for 27a, as in Chelsea v Spurs. Couldn’t quite figure out 23d as a consequence, but was confident with the solve. I mean, I got the “say, male’s missed” thing. Well done me.

    Then I read the hints.

    Hoist. Petard.

    Another victory for the compiler and thanks for the hints. I shall retire hurt until tomorrow.

  16. Very funny, Shabbo, but at least I now have a pleasant ear worm to get me through the rest of the day!
    All the expected Tuesday fun from our setter with, as usual, a few meatier clues in the lower reaches. Top clues for their humour were 1&15a plus 7d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Shabbo for the review – hope to see you in the NTSPP slot again ‘ere long.

    1. If you looked at the toughie today, you might possibly have another ear worm.
      I have; and it’s been going on for a few hours…

      While I’m posting, many thanks to the setter for this enjoyable puzzle, and to Shabbo for the write-up.

  17. Thought this was very enjoyable, my ticks appearing at 10a, 5d, 7d, and 25d. In one way or another all of these clues seemed very clever and a bit novel. Lovely. Thanks to setter and Shabbo

  18. I’m back to my usual form of struggling with an AP production today. It didn’t help in making a complete horlics of the SE where I became fixated by an incorrect answer and took an age for sense to prevail. 6a and 7d raised smiles, but my cotd is the giant bird at 13a. Thanks to AP and Shabbo.

  19. Top notch puzzle albeit I’m not a fan of the ‘think of a word for this word then take out a letter’ type clues – 27a &21d. Also had to check the excellent hints to confirm I had 23d correct.

    Thanks to the setter and to Shabbo

  20. 1a went in straight away which always gives one confidence to proceed. My last one in was 12a, I couldn’t get past day’s end being y and was looking for a jokey crack. That was when I turned to dear old Shabs. Someone said earlier that the clueing seemed different, I certainly liked 5a with the dismissal of leaders. Many thanks to Setter & Shabbo. I hope it rains here tomorrow for the sake of my garden but will pray for a dry day for Dyslex!

    1. 12A was my last one in by a long way. I probably spent as long on that one answer as I did on the rest of the puzzle. 😆

  21. As straightforward as they come but nonetheless enjoyable for that. Early solve for me but I’m on a time limit. Thanks to AP and Shabbo.

  22. First time commenter. I was going to ask about 9D but I didn’t pay enough attention to the hint that “exploits” is used as a noun rather than a verb. Now I’ve seen the light!

    1. Welcome to the blog, Jonathan.
      Now that you’ve introduced yourself I hope that you’ll become a regular commenter.

  23. I thought this Tuesday puzzle pretty typical and a tad easier than Monday’s offering this week.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 1a, 12a, 15a, 21a, 22a & 2d — with winner 1a
    Smiles for 15a, 22a & 3d

    Thanks to AP & Shabbo

  24. This was a most enjoyable solve with Il Professore in fine form.

    There were some excellent anagrams dressed up with splendid surfaces which always pleases me. Love an anagram, me.

    I’m away from Blighty this week with no newspaper *. So, I usually create the grid when solving (a splendid challenge). But, I didn’t need to as the clues were so nicely put together that no PM’s country residence were required.

    Admittedly, having the definition underlined does make it a tad easier but only a tad because it’s fairly obvious to spot. It’s the trained eye, don’t you know.

    My podium is 30a, 2d and 18d.

    MT to AP and Mr Fairclough.

    1*/4*

    * Like Madame Splitz, I’ll never sign up to an online subscription, even if it was free and the paper costs £10. Money schmoney….pah!

  25. Having to spend what seemed lie hours in the opticians whilst my good lady had a new pair of glasses sorted meant I could concentrate on the crossword. Certainly a good from Professor Plumb which meant for the first time in ages I have finished two crosswords in a row. Perhaps my poor old brain is having a second life. 1a and 5d my co-favourites today and why does the spellchecker on here have American spellings?

    My thanks to Shabbo and The Professor both of whom I am sure would deplore favourites being misspelled by the Yanke Doodoos as favorites.

  27. Another gentle breeze, finished faster than yesterday and in my methodology, a complete build out from clue to inserted checkers / crossed clue and so on. No read through necessary. The only hold-out was 12a – as commented above, like Daisygirl could not get starting with a ‘Y’ out of my mind. That moved the solve from 1* time to 2*.

    Ticks went to the 2d skills and after the PDM, the 12a end!

    Thanks to the Prof (presumably) and Shabbo.

  28. Another Tuesday treat, although it was not all plain sailing. Not sure 6a qualifies as a chaise longue – perhaps that is because a chaise longue over here is something you have on your patio for sunbathing, while the pictured sofa would be called a sectional. The vagaries of a shared language, Never heard of Gordon Sumner in 19a. Correctly bunged in 7d without realising just how it works until after I read the hint. A very enjoyable solve. Thanks for Mr Plumb and Shabbo,

  30. As BL above says, “another Tuesday treat”. Struggled with12a as tried to use wrong end of day. 30a “caned” another “synonym” for anagram and, as i have said previously, battle for novel indicators is IMHO getting silly.
    Took while for 16d old to ring bell. Altogether a lot of carefree fun. Thank you MrP and Shabbo.

  31. A nice treat for a Tuesday, with some excellent anagrams. A few needed a bit more thought than usual, eg parsing 23d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the hints….apologies in advance if I call you Shabby by accident but the autocorrect keeps trying and one day I will not spot it!

  32. Thanks for covering me for the last 2 Tuesdays Shabbo. Gentle but typically enjoyable puzzle today though the def at 23d would have required some investigation, which I couldn’t be bothered to undertake. Just waiting to board Le Shuttle after a few days of golf in glorious sunshine in Hardelot.
    Thanks to the Prof.

  33. A very enjoyable guzzle today with lots to like. Like Daisy kept looking for the Y in 12a. Lovely sunny day here and opted to have a bacon sarnie at lunchtime at Cley bird reserve overlooking the marshes which were spectacular today. A couple of days ago there was a lot of noise coming from the kitchen and went in to find a sparrow hawk looking at me. The RH door was open to the garden and LH door was shut. Thankfully after what seemed an age it flew out of the open door. Anyway, thanks to the setter and Shabbo.

  34. Feels to me like Tuesday’s are now gentler than Monday’s and for me this one was no exception. Completed with no real hold ups , and was very enjoyable. Thanks to the setter and Shabbo.

  35. Thanks to the Setter and Shabbo. We struggled with this puzzle. Found SW tricky. Guess our brains were not fully functional after dining out for lunch. That is our excuse anyway.

  36. Thanks to the Setter and Shabbo. Not our day we struggled with this puzzle. Went out for lunch and probably overindulged. That is our excuse anyway!

  37. Usual Tuesday late start due to elderly gentleman’s football. A bit of a pummelling today, 6-1 to my side. But it’s the enjoyment factor which counts not the final score line.
    As for today’s puzzle, a very steady solve, although nearly made a stupid spelling mistake, corrected, so a pleasing solve without the need to use any external reference. And, for me, a very respectable time. Stand out clues today for me were:1a 6a, 12a and 7d.
    Thank you to the setter and to Shabbo for the hints, which I will now peruse.

  38. Treated to two brilliant puzzles in two days. Thoroughly enjoyed as managed to finish both! It does help reboot the self confidence Too many friendly clues to mention, LOI was 27a. Many thanks to the setter and Shabbo. Won’t have chance to look at tomorrow’s as off to Hebden Bridge for the day. Rain forecast!

  39. Good evening

    On Tuesdays, I get a two-hour break at work, and this provides ample time to get the crozzie done – at least that’s the theory! It’s 6:53pm as I type this, and I’ve only just finished despite (redacted)

    Most of today’s answers were reasonably straightforward, but I was almost stumped by the SW quadrant. A sudden flash of inspiration brought about the solution to 27a (my COTD) which then, thankfully, led to completion.

    The only one I wasn’t sure of in terms of parsing was 21d. So many thanks to Shabbo for the explanation; many thanks also to The Prof.

    1. We ask people not to indicate solving times as some people take longer than others and BD didn’t want people upset by reading actual times taken

  41. A gentle but enjoyable solve this evening – thanks to our setter. I’m in the 13a camp for my prize, but Shabbo (to whom, many thanks) nearly pinches it for 19a purely by dint of clever choice of illustration. Messrs Copeland and Summers may sue, however…

  42. On holiday in Cornwall and completed this crozzie this evening after train journey to St Ives, pasties, walks, dinner and Ligretto game with family: they then watched “Bake Off”; I preferred crozzie. Solved without assistance but needed hints afterwards to fully parse 23d and 26d. COTD 27a for its construction and surface. Thanks to Prof P and Shabbo. **/****

  43. Late to comment but all good Tuesday fun completed on a Wednesday.
    1*/4*
    I had query with dress as an anagram indicator but no real holdups.
    Thanks to Prof and Shabbo

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