Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31117
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
A Typically Tuesdayish bit of Plumbing (I assume) that I’d rate pretty much on a par with X-Type’s puzzle yesterday in terms of difficulty. No particular favourite clue for me but as ever I thought it nicely clued throughout and perfectly enjoyable. For any looking for a stiffer challenge Donny is in the chair in t’other place & I’m sure Whybird would appreciate comments. As it’s my last blog before Christmas may I take the opportunity to wish all associated with the site festive greetings.
As ever there are an assortment of You Tube tunes & some Fawlty Towers to view if inclined.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
Across
1a Left wearing apprentice’s suit (5)
CLUBS: insert (wearing) Left into a synonym for apprentice/rookie (plural or with ‘s).
4a Hooked by peculiar instrument (5,4)
SNARE DRUM: split the wordplay 6,3 & link synonyms for hooked/caught & peculiar. The legendary Steve Gadd plays it to fine effect on this Paul Simon classic.
9a Emissary from German city in car with gears oddly missing (9)
MESSENGER: place our setter’s oft used city in the Ruhr between the two letter abbreviation for the sporty car model originally customised by Cecil Kimber in the 1920s then append the alternate letters (oddly missing) of [g]E[a]R[s].
10a Count it all yourself? Not all (5)
TALLY: hidden (not all).
11a Try a lure behind tail of trout (7)
ATTEMPT: A from the clue + the last letter (tail) of [trou]T followed by (behind) a synonym for lure/entice.
12a Piece of confectionery, darling? (7)
SWEETIE: a double definition.
13a Group of detectives in river come to a conclusion (6)
DECIDE: insert (in) the abbreviation for the division of plainclothes officers investigating serious crime into a river that flows through North Wales & Cheshire.
15a Reticent about first tennis shot by daughter (8)
RESERVED: the usual preposition for about/in respect of + the opening shot in tennis + Daughter.
18a Abandoned novel deters Edward (8)
DESERTED: an anagram (novel) of DETERS + a diminutive for Edward.
20a Secret place to put your clothes (6)
CLOSET: double definition – the former being a slang term for the concealment of one’s beliefs or sexual orientation perhaps.
23a Look around rear of hotel for a kipper (7)
SLEEPER: insert (around) the last letter (rear) of [hote]L into a synonym for look/spot then append a synonym a (context frequency).
24a Peer and I were bare, previously (7)
EARLIER: peer/rank of nobility + I from the clue + the inner letters (bare) of [w]ER[e].
26a Particularly cross after eastern craft returned (5)
EXTRA: the letter that looks like a cross is preceded by (comes after) Eastern then append a reversal (returned) of a synonym for craft/skill.
27a Get rid of evil alien I met (9)
ELIMINATE: an anagram (evil) of ALIEN I MET.
28a Thought of highly new diet with crepes? Not I ! (9)
RESPECTED: an anagram (new) of D[i]ET CREPES (not I). Cue Aretha…
29a Fish disappear after start of season (5)
SMELT: disappear/dissolve preceded by (comes after) the S[eason] (start of).
Down
1d Punctuation mark needs deleting initially, editor ordered (9)
COMMANDED: select a punctuation mark + the 1st letters (initially) of the following 2 words in the clue + the usual abbreviation for EDitor.
2d Out of bed and ready for trouble (5)
UPSET: out of bed/arisen + ready/prepared.
3d Horse crossing motorway twice halted (7)
STEMMED: a term for a horse goes around (crossing) the single letter for Motorway x 2.
4d Insults missing Liberal’s spectacles (6)
SIGHTS: delete (missing) the single letter for Liberal from a synonym for insults/slurs.
5d Stopped a run and relaxed (8)
ARRESTED: A from the clue + the cricket abbreviation for Run + relaxed/reposed.
6d Radical old male hiding in a tree (7)
EXTREME: the usual prefix for old/former then add tree in the wordplay with Male inserted (hiding in).
7d Gives an account of embracing four nieces? (9)
RELATIVES: a verb meaning gives an account of goes round (embracing) the Roman numeral letters for four. The ? signifies definition by example.
8d Beeb only half supporting prime minister, perhaps (5)
MAYBE: can you believe we’ve had 4 of ‘em since this PM. Append 50% (only half) of BE[eb] (supporting/down clue). The naughtiest thing confession was a field of wheat I seem to recall but barley will have to do
14d These could be used for recording lawsuits about badger’s home (9)
CASSETTES: lawsuits/proceedings with the name of a badger’s abode inserted (about). Happy memories of making compilations to play in the car.
16d Cleaner animal accepting lead from the bloke (9)
DETERGENT: think of an animal & insert the 1st letter (accepting lead from) of T[he] then add another term for bloke.
17d Most tipsy maiden retires drunk (8)
MERRIEST: the cricket abbreviation for Maiden + an anagram (drunk) of RETIRES.
19d Swap Queen record with large crack (7)
REPLACE: the Latin single letter for queen + the abbreviation for an Extended Play record + Large + an adjectival synonym for crack/highly skilled.
21d Learner driver frets, avoiding wide vehicles (7)
LORRIES: the letter that signifies a Learner driver + a synonym for frets less the 1st letter (avoids the cricket abbreviation for Wide).
22d Do ripe bananas stretch? (6)
PERIOD: an anagram (bananas) of DO RIPE.
23d Salesman’s turned up holding a weapon (5)
SPEAR: insert (holding) A from the clue into a reversal (up/down clue) of a term for salesman incl the ‘s.
25d Photograph part of leg a minx raised (5)
IMAGE: hidden in reverse (part of/raised in a down clue)
Please tell us which clues ticked your boxes.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: TAY + CAB + RAKE = TAKE A BREAK
I read the obituary & a nice piece by Neil McCormick in The Telegraph this morning to mark the sad passing of Chris Rea three days before Christmas. On the thankfully few occasions I’ve been unlucky to have got caught in a snarl up on the M25 this belter gets a blast at high volume.
Good morning. Enjoyed this immensely. Across clues were few and far between in the northern half on the initial pass but the downs were mostly read and writes. Lots of ticks 1,4,9,13,19 and 29 across, 1,5,7,8,14 and 23 down. Very difficult to pick a podium but will go for 1a, 1d , and 13a with top honours going to 13a. LOI was 8d. Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman
for the hints which were not needed.
Another great production from the professor and very enjoyable to boot. Unusually, it took a while to get into but once checkers arrived it began to flow. I don’t know why but whenever instruments are mentioned in a clue I never think of the kind in 4a. I had the wrong ending to the piece of confectionery at 12a so that messed up the northeast for a while. My COTD is the emissary in 9a for the simple reason I owned the car for about twenty years.
Thank you, Professor for a wonderful puzzle. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
Dull and grey in The Marches today. It’s also mild and I can’t believe I can go out without a coat in the middle of December.
Well done, Conor but in my defence, the phone rang!
Nice work, Conor with one n.
As this was loaded a few minutes past the hour, both of your ‘Post comment’ tabs must be worn out like a Scrabble tile that’s seen better days.
That’s now one a piece (there have only been two when you were both in the traps and the hare was running)
Apologies for the late reply…….one of those days, where there are not enough hours. I was clicking away from 12:01 until the page finally refreshed. Think it only fair that the contest begins on 01.01.26.
Who’s keeping the score?
Yours truly, of course.
I’m looking forward to who’s going to win the 2026 trophy that I will buy and inscribe, ready for the presentation ceremony in the 2027 January meet-up.
If either can’t make it, we’ll Zoom them up so we can hear their acceptance speech.
What should it be called…..
The Hare’s Running
Elevenses
Conor v Cowling
The Concow Cup
The Coco Cup
First past the post
Fastest finger first
The First Post
Get a life Tom
‘Post’man Pat
The ConCow Cup methinks
I started it so CowCon! 🤣🤣
Sounds good!
We may, of course, get someone else taking you on. So, shall we go with ‘The 11:01’ or stick with the ‘Cowcon Cup’ as it began with you two?
SC,I love your competitiveness wanting to be first. It means you are already one up.
Grrrrrr!
😊
Can anyone vote? To be generic, it’s just got to be the ‘Get a Life, Tom’, cup!!! ☺
A very fair shout, Popsy Dudes. I was thinking that one may get a vote.
But, let’s go with the one with the gentlemen in question.
*Lets not forget my old sparring partner RD who, some time ago, was first on here nearly every day for years!
The silverware may tempt him out of his rocking chair.
I like the sound of First Past the Post. May I present the trophy – I’ll buy a new hat.
U betcha!
If you are to present the trophy, DG I will redouble my efforts! 😊
Excellent fun. A romp apart from the SW which held me up a tad but Huntsman’s rating I thought right. 23a was super and my COTD with 8d my runner up. Thank you Huntsman and our setter. Best wishes to all bloggers.
A couple of clues needed a bit of a crumpet scratch, but otherwise a very gentle offering from AP today. My podium comprises 10a, 5d and 21d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
As Typically Tuesdayish as ever – 1.5*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 20a, 29a, and 8d – and the winner is 8d.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
A fine puzzle as ever, lots to like and nothing controversial!
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
A Tuesday quickie with a lot of anagrams at the bottom half, but enjoyable, thank you.
This was perfect for a busyish Tuesday morning; a speedy but typically enjoyable solve with a high standard of clueing throughout. 29a was my favouirite ahead of 13a.
Many thanks to AP for the fun and to The Hintsman.
What an excellent one from The Prof to finish his 2025 quota!
Lots of finely-crafted clues on a very friendly grid, I reckon ‘Deb on-air’ has got a great chance of a rookie unaided back-to-backer. Go on Debs!
8d is an interesting word as many people use it when it should be (3,2). A good way to remember the difference is to replace the first word with ‘might’. Another classic howler is ‘try and’ when it should be ‘try to’. I suggest to people to replace ‘try’ with ‘attempt’ and it all becomes clear. ‘Round’ or ‘around’, however, is a nightmare. Walk round the park or walk around the park? Hmm…..
My podium is 9a, 2d and the outstanding 22d.
MMT to both Il professore and Hoots for today’s efforts and the whole of 2025.
1*/5*
Still one to go in 2025 for Mr Plumb – Tuesday, December 30th?
Of course!
Good shout, S.
Sadly I was well beaten today. It was fun trying though. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
Ah, that’s a shame.
Onwards!
Not to worry, Debonair – you’ve completed unaided once so you will do again. 😊
Nice way to continue Christmas week, I did like the 4a instrument and the music chosen was a better example than I would have chosen.
Thanks to Andy and Mr Plumb
Still waiting on the bean counters before we break up…
Steve Gadd is a wonderful drummer – his solo that underpins the sax in Steely Dan’s Aja is very highly rated. Hoping the bean counters turned up soon fingers 🤞
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
Have a Merry Christmas… you both deserve it.
Now for the toughie…
Another gentle puzzle from our reliable Tuesday setter with the half-supported PM and the disappearing fish taking my prizes. Wishing Mr Plumb seasonal joy and offering many thanks for all the puzzles he’s shared with us throughout the year. Thanks also to Huntsman for providing another year of reviews, your efforts are much appreciated. Have a great Christmas and wrap up warmly if you’re manning the first tee for those intrepid golfers who seek a bit of peace and quiet away from the family festivities!
Enjoyable Tuesday fare – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
I particularly liked 1a, 26a and 8d.
Is it my imagination or have we had fewer seasonally-themed puzzles than usual this year? Perhaps we’ll get one tomorrow for me to blog.
An enjoyable and gentle puzzle that I thought was going to be a personal best , it got held up with a couple . Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
A gentle Tuesday puzzle but a very enjoyable solve. Fine clues and I’ll pick 22d as my favourite. 1.5*/4*.
*Yes. RIP Chris Rea, who died yesterday aged 74. I guess most people have heard of him through a series of singles released from his many albums. But Chris Rea’s real forte was as a live performer – and he was incredible! Here he is at the Montreux Jazz Festival in July 1986 with a song called It’s All Gone. It features some sublime rhythm guitar and organ work, culminating in a brilliant, rip-roaring guitar solo from Chris using a metal slide on his battered red/white Fender. Enjoy:
Brilliant! Thank you, Jose.
I almost got to see him live but something or other cropped up. He was certainly an underrated player.
Quite brilliant, thanks Jose! That guitar solo is real goosebumps stuff!
Absolutely outstanding! Many thanks for posting this clip, Jose.
* / ****
Very enjoyable and just a tad more difficult than yesterday – for me © etc.
Ticks went to the 9a Emissary and the bare peer and I in 24a. The 24a fish was new to me and was the only clue that held me up a bit.
Many thanks to AP and Huntsman
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman (for the hints). Swift and easy solve for a Tuesday level puzzle. COTD 4a. LOI 19d. Now to attack the homemade mince pies!
The hardest thing about this puzzle was getting the spelling right.I still spell phonetically so 6 down misspelt but the parsing was wrong so in getting that right the spelling became apparent. I know people with much worse dyslexia than mine and it must be such a challenge. The German city is a bit of a favourite with setters and I will give it the favourite vote.
Always enjoy Mr. Plumb’s offerings and thanks to Huntsman
Hi D
It is indeed a tricky word. Does this help?
That’s ME, in the picture, on the extreME right.
No worries if not.
0.5*/4*. Consistently light and entertaining as we have become accustomed to on Tuesdays.
1a was my favourite.
Many thanks to AP (?) and to Hintsman.
A Typically Tuesday puzzle as the saying goes. No obscure words and straightforward clueing in my mind.
2*/3.5*
Favourites include 9a, 24a, 1d, 9d, 14d & 21d — with top two being 9a & 14d
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
A delight. How can we common mortals express our thanks to the Sideways-minded Brainboxes who give us the puzzles every day? Not to mention our wonderful corps of Faithful Hinters. (Mind you, they have to justify their enormous salaries, bonuses, pensions and other perks). It took me an unconscionable amount of time to get 1a for some reason so it was my LOI I commented to George that in 69 1/2 years ( or longer counting courting days) he has never addressed me as 12a. He gave me an odd look. I was just saying. I thought 8d was quite smart. Many thanks to Mr Plumb ? And to the Hertfordshire Hintsman.
if only my hints were reliable I could be HRH.
Elegant and fun stuff as usual for our Tuesday back pager. Nothing too tricky, other than my brain failed to see that several combinations of elements actually made words first or second time around…1a and the wonderful image-inducing 23a get my prizes, amongst a host of neat surfaces. And a lot cheerier than today’s Toughie!
Thanks to our setter, and to Huntsman.
A Tuesday quickie finished before I went off to play golf. I don’t know what the climate is in SC’s neck of the Marches, but it was absolutely bitter down here on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border; 8C felt like 2C
Anyway, back to the puzzle. I liked the German emissary (9a) and the disappearing fish (29a), but my star goes to 8d in spite of tds65 reckoning it should be annotated as 3,2 with a strong Easterly wind.
1.5*/3.5*
As for Chris Rea, back in the early 90’s I had his Auberge album on a cassette in the car when driving an American associate. He really liked it and insisted I had it on repeat all the time he was here. After I had dropped him off at Heathrow, the tape was nowhere to be found. The next time I saw him, he admitted that he had taken it.
Good crossword which I nearly finished but some clues were beyond me. Have to say that the Quickie pun is the best pun I can remember. No accent or pidgin to use so top marks to the professor and thanks to Tally Ho.
A very enjoyable crossword fir me today, though it did take me a while to get going……but þhen a lot of things do nowadays….
Favourite has to be the strange trapped musical instrument .
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
I finished this in uncharacteristically double quick time but don’t understand how in 26A ‘particularly’ = the answer. Is it me?
Something could be particularly / answer 26a good
Thank you. I can go back to sleep now.
1*/ 3.5* No hold ups for me today completing this enjoyable and witty puzzle. Favourites include 4a percussion instrument, the emissary at 9a and the obsolete tapes at 24d (a nightmare when they got tangled in your car player)
Thanks to Huntsman and setter
A lovely puzzle which was just right for a day with a lot to do on it, no stand out favourites just good fun.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
A steady solve apart from 29a, which was my final entry and where I got stuck so had to resort to the hints. Never heard of said fish but I have now.
No particular favourites today although if forced to make a selection 4a would be my clue of the day.
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
I found this more straightforward than yesterday although I discovered a new fish. Didn’t quite finish it at the hairdresser but before the end of the pre-prandial glass. Very enjoyable thanks both.
A late solve for me and an enjoyable one though it took me a while to get into.
LOI was 1a.
No particular favourite for me today.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
Solved steadily once I got into this crozzie and thought it was well constructed. Unfortunately, could not solve the vanishing fish even though I had heard of it but solved all the others without assistance. Quite liked the horse loose on the motorway so COTD for the construction and surface. I may not be on tomorrow so Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone for a great blog. Also thanks to Prof P and Huntsman for today. */****
How do we know where the setter lives?
Hi CZ
As a rule, we don’t though the occasional solver tells us a bit of personal info when they pop in to thank the blogger and solvers for their observations and comments on their creation.
For example, we know that Mr Tumble lives in Wales, Hudson had a stint living in Derbyshire (recently revealed) and Silvanus has a connection north of the border (maybe someone can tell you more about that as I don’t know).
The usual consistent excellence from our Tuesday setter though a couple in the south weren’t the first synonyms to spring to mind. Favourite was 3d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman. I’ll attach a live version of Road To Hell of I can work out how to do it.
Monkey and typewriter sorting to mind.
Was going to post that version (great slide) but the vocal on the studio version wins the day for me. Bugs me that whenever they play it on the radio they never play part 1 which sets the scene so well.
I’m currently listening to Shamrock Diaries. His best album IMHO.
Enjoyed this one staying indoors spending Christmas in Cornwall. Very cold but the pub is warm and cosy. I just came unstuck on 17d but rest went in nicely.
What can be better at Christmas than a warm and cosy pub? Enjoy, WW and have a Merry Christmas.
Got a bit stuck on top left after blitzing the other corners
Unusually for a Prof puzzle I got nowhere in the North so moved South and had an easier ride before retackling the North with much more success. Altogether it was an enjoyable exercise apart from yet more forced a.i’s. Unaware of 4a instrument. Thank you MrP for another fun Tuesday complemented by the Hinting Man.
1*/4* …
liked 8D “Beeb only half supporting prime minister, perhaps (5)”