Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31168
Hints and tips by Mr K
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Today we have a puzzle where intricate wordplay and complex letter algebra trumps everything else.
In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background. Clicking on a picture will enlarge it or display a bonus illustration and a hover (computer) or long press (mobile) might explain more about the picture. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.
Across
1a Denied being featured apart from a broadcast (7)
REFUTED: An anagram (broadcast) of FEATURED minus (apart from) A
5a Occasions for politicians to take time (7)
PROMPTS: For or “in favour of” is followed by some usual abbreviated politicians containing (to take) the physics symbol for time
9a We get this annually readjusted by a third here (8,7)
BIRTHDAY PRESENT: An anagram (readjusted) of BY A THIRD with a roll-call synonym of here
10a I had X - Twitter - originally displayed as 'Twit' (5)
IDIOT: Link together a contraction for “I had”, two letters that look like the value of the Roman X, and the first letter (originally) of TWITTER
11a Collection of essays, maybe half of that is restricted by elders? (9)
TREATISES: Half of THAT and IS from the clue are both contained by (restricted by) what elders define by example (?)
12a Place filling shavings in gap or eaves (9)
SINGAPORE: The answer is hidden in (filling) SHAVINGS IN GAP OR EAVES
14a Loud Yankee goes round excessively backing 'soccer' (5)
FOOTY: The musical abbreviation for loud and the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by yankee sandwiching (goes round) the reversal (backing) of a synonym of excessively
15a Misleads rivals with boarding times (5)
FOXES: Rivals or enemies containing (with boarding) the letter representing times or multiplication
16a Typically boozy load rub ref all the wrong way (9)
BARRELFUL: An anagram (the wrong way) of RUB REF ALL
18a International group leader saving king from revolutionary (7-2)
UNHEARD-OF: The abbreviation for an international group headquartered in New York is followed by a synonym of leader containing (saving) the Latin abbreviation for king and another word for “from”
21a Regularly highlighted dancer disco revolved around (5)
CIRCA: Alternate letters (regularly highlighted) of the reversal (revolved) of DANCER DISCO
22a Charge fellows in teepees for mystical tablets? (3,12)
TEN COMMANDMENTS: Charge or order and some fellows or guys are inserted together in another word for teepees
23a On reflection, web's hosting little that's mellow (7)
SWEETEN: The reversal (on reflection) of a synonym of web with its ‘S from the clue containing (hosting) an informal Scottish word for little
24a Light way to lead Navy across Dart's east bank (7)
LANTERN: A way or road and the abbreviation for Royal Navy are containing (across) the last letter (…’s east bank, in an across clue) of DART
Down
1d Religious figure meets another over talks (7)
RABBITS: A Jewish religious figure is followed by the reversal (over) of an abbreviated revered dead religious figure
2d How to give up one's yen for shekels? (7,8)
FOREIGN EXCHANGE: A cryptic definition of how one gets shekels (or dollars) for yen
3d What helps make concert a hit? I answer, 'Folk coming from afar' (9)
TAHITIANS: The answer is hidden in (what helps make… ) CONCERT A HIT I ANSWER
4d Rough behind - get doctor onto that (5)
DRAFT: A usual abbreviated doctor with a nautical word for behind
5d Little dog, favourite always in the old days for Punch and Judy man? (9)
PUPPETEER: Join together a little dog, another word for favourite, and a poetic (in the old days) word for always
6d Revolutionary vicar that's wearing to public (5)
OVERT: A contraction for vicar inserted in (wearing) TO from the clue, all reversed (revolutionary)
7d Journalists questioning printer's base fee - concern spreading (5,10)
PRESS CONFERENCE: A printer’s base with an anagram (spreading) of FEE CONCERN
8d Gathered Independent's forty, vacant and content (7)
SATISFY: Cement together gathered or met, the single letter for independent with its ‘S from the clue, and the outer letters (… vacant) of FORTY
13d Official investigator getting over maiden shoots staff (9)
OMBUDSMAN: Concatenate the cricket abbreviation for over, the cricket abbreviation for maiden, some shoots on a plant, and another word for staff
14d Nice guys? (9)
FRENCHMEN: A cryptic definition of guys who live in Nice
15d Huts for frolicking - unusual quarters! (7)
FOURTHS: An anagram (frolicking) of HUTS FOR. The “unusual” is because the synonym is uncommon or possibly American
17d Flipping 'no' then 'yes' from the Spanish - pain working together (7)
LIAISON: The fusion of NO from the clue, yes in Spanish, and a synonym of pain is all reversed (flipping)
19d A lot to be seen going over France in the air (5)
ALOFT: A LOT from the clue containing (to be seen going over) the IVF code for France
20d Organisers of 14 Across engaging in large Wembley event? (5)
FINAL: The abbreviation for the organisers of 14a in England containing (engaging) IN from the clue is all followed by the clothing abbreviation for large
Thanks to today’s setter. Which clues did you like best?
The Quick Crossword pun: VELOUR + DIVA + WRINGS = THE LORD OF THE RINGS
A tough nut to crack but it is Friday. Getting a couple of the long ones early helped unlock the rest but it was a struggle to get over the line. The lurker at 3d was very well hidden and I didn’t see it for ages. It was the same for 12a. I spent too long trying to put “professor” into 5d because that’s what they are called. The fact it didn’t parse made no difference because the word had lodged itself into my brain and refused to budge. My COTD are the yens and shekels at 2d
Thank you, setter for giving my grey cells a mangling. It was a struggle but an enjoyable one. Thank you, Mr. K. for the hints.
I loved the Quickie pun.
It’s back to rain and mud here in The Marches. Has there ever been a wetter start to a year?
Good morning. This was very light for a Friday resulting in a quick fill without any hiccups. Enjoyed 12a, as I worked there in the 90s but on a different desk to 2d! Also, liked 5d and 14d. LOI was 7d which is also quite clever. However the Twit at 10a is my COTD. Many thanks to the setter and hinter.
I feel that Conor should look for a crossword in the Jupiter Times….he obviously lives on a different planet to me!
And me.
Happy to take a look at it if you can send me a copy?
Like it, Cons. Like it.
4*/2.5*. A mixed bag for me today. Some great clues and some very convoluted ones. Parts of this, particularly in the NW corner were very tough.
I couldn’t find either 14a or the specific meaning of 16a in the BRB.
18a was my favourite.
Thanks to the setter and to Mr K.
P.S. I see that today’s Toughie was a collaboration composed by El & Gar!
Hi RD
May i ask what your query is about 14a? The answer is a very common term or am I missing something?
I often hear 16a when people say they’ve had a skinful.
As you know, the fact they aren’t in THAT reference book means nowt to me.
14a is in the BRB, RD – revised 13th ed. (also Collins). I took (and indeed use) 16a as in “he’s had a 16a” of/for a ver ver drunk person, also using it in the BRB’s (and Collins’) given meaning of “as much as a barrel will hold”, which, with contents commonly of beer, works well with the clue’s definition “typically boozy load”. Hopefully we can let the setter get away with it on this occasion!
Thanks, Mustafa. Having looked again, the reason I didn’t find 14a in the Chambers App (which I find generally is much easier to use) is that it is listed under “footie” so not where I was expecting “footy” in alphabetical order!
Must say I do like having the hard copy of a dictionary, but they’re not something I would rush to take on holiday with me … and certainly not the Collins dictionary, in its protective sleeve!
This was more of a struggle than I expected. I can often do Friday puzzles, but today I needed quite a bit of help to get a full grid and to understand all the answers (thank you, Mr K). My top few are the 9a annual adjustment, 10a with Twitter, the 11a elders, and the 22a fellows in teepees — thank you to the setter for those.
What’s cryptic about 2d? It just read like a straight definition to me.
2d is a cryptic definition only if you spot yen meaning desire before you think about the currency.
Ah, thanks!
Thought I was never going to start, then thought I was never going to finish, but finally got there through shere bloodymindedness.
Very fair clueing throughout, with no cause to question anything today. My last one in was 3d as I just didn’t follow the rule of ‘If nowt looks obvious, look for the lurker’.
My two of the day were 5a, and the very clever 2d, take a bow Mr setter, a real gem!
There was some very clever wordplay in today’s tricky puzzle . I really enjoyed solving it and, after being lucky enough ro get a fewl onger clues, the answers went into the grid more quickly than I anticipated. I liked the cryptic definitionsat 9a and 2d, the geographical lurkers at 3d and12a, together with the Lego officiial at 13d, but it was uard to restrict my podium to 5 clues. Thanks to the compiler for a most enjoyable guzzle and to Mr K for the hints.
Quite a struggle this morning. I had three read-throughs with no solution apparent until 12a fell into place (very well hidden). This seemed to break the seal and several others fell in quick order. The last five to fall took almost as long as the rest of the clues put together. Ticks everywhere, though. Favourites are 22a, 3d (another excellent lurker), 2d.
Thank you to the setter for the strenuous work out, and to Mr K for the hints.
I had very few problems solving this one, as even the more convoluted clues offered an obvious answer. However, parsing some of them took a fair bit longer, which I guess makes it a longer solve. Anyway, it was a good challenge for a Friday, with 2d and 18a my co-favourites.
Many thanks to our setter and Mr K.
At first reading I thought this was going to be 5* territory and never going to get started. 12a was first in and then 22a, after which with perseverance the parsings all made sense and although on the slow side, was completed unaided.
Everything was so good that I hesitate to list my favourites, but I’ll go with the revolutionary at 18a. LOI was the revolutionary clergyman at 6d.
MT to the setter and Mr K
3*/5*
Well, I can’t believe I did this, but I did and I didn’t find it that difficult even though yesterday having racked my brains, I has failed to finish
When I started out this Friday puzzle, I thought this was going to be a DNF, as it took a long time to get some bung-ins that were possibilities for candidates for answers. Thought this could possibly be a Zandio production given my difficulties.
Ended up with the starting in the NW and eventually completed the top half. Gradually the rest came to light with some answers I could not parse though.
3*/3.5*
Favourites 10a, 14a, 22a, 24a, 5d & 15d — with winner 22a
Thanks to setter (Zandio?) & Mr K.
Not a lot of fun. Slow to start, but solving the four long ‘uns helped me to a quicker finish and I was somewhat surprised at my completion time – it seemed to take a lot longer. 3.5*/ 2*
Smiles for 23a, 6d, and 14d.
Thanks to, presumably, Zandio, what’s happened to proXimal on a Friday, and to Mr K.
Sorry Mr/Mrs Compiler, but the Quickie pun is a bit touch of a stretch for me.
Super puzzle, surprisingly gentle for a Friday and very enjoyable. A glance at the first couple in the N suggested this was one to start in the S – 15a went in on reading, which made 2d a write-in, and from that point it was a swift trip anti-clockwise, finishing at 1a. Some very clever and inventive clueing, plenty of humour, no arcane knowledge required, and it all fitted on a single sheet of A4 – what’s not to like?!
Honours to 14d, 22a & 10a. Many thanks indeed to the setter and to MrK
A very enjoyable finish to the week which was the easiest of the last three days with ‘easiest’ being the operative word!
Like Silvanus, Zandio can go down the Heath Robinson route but not today. It’s rare to see a clue like 19d this time of the week as it didn’t take much working out though it was a nice surface.
The lurker in 3d is an outstanding effort and 10a was fun.
My picks for the pody are 22a (a nice scene), 2d (love a CD, me) and of course 4d.
MTTTA and Mr K.
3*/4*
I’m glad you found this reasonably straight forward as well. There was nothing remotely difficult about it today. Yesterday’s was more challenging but by no means difficult…….
The Big Z’s crossies can be a real challenge sometimes but this one didn’t seem to stretch me. Maybe The Hud and Sade knocked me into shape for it.
Either way, I’ve earned a 16a, ce soir.
Roll on drinks o’clock!
Always happy to admit when “it`s” a slog…….typically Saturday`s PP over the last few months. Enjoy your pint. It`s always 1800 somewhere …….
U betcha!
I agree on the easiest / trio TDS, and it’s official that whenever I see a lurker or rekrul I now think of you 😸
Good to read, Wriggles!
Maybe I should charge my alias to 56segruts gnit nioppa sidmot.
Very Stanley Unwinesque.
An enjoyable puzzle – thanks to our setter and Mr K.
I had most problems with the Quickie pun (and I still don’t think it really works).
My medals were pinned on 5a, 10a and 13d.
I agree with you and CD about the pun.
The pronunciation of the first syllable of 4a needs to rhyme with the o of ‘got’ not the ee of ‘greet’.
I’m always up for a hugely elasticated pun but it’s simply a different sound.
I’m in the thought it tough camp, but it was one of those puzzles where persistence paid off in the end, albeit taking a couple of stabs at it. I liked the Nice guys, the boarding times and the boozy load that all raised smiles. Cotd, though, has to go to the lurker at 12a. Thanks to compiler and Mr K.
Not sure what’s the matter with my brain this week, but I threw in the towel after two clues – roll on next week!
I have finally finished but found it a real struggle but then it is Friday. That said there were some great clues, especially the long ones and the lurkers were excellent. I needed the hints to explain a couple.
Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the hints
Well my recent record of being totally out of kilter with the reviewers difficult level continues – but in the opposite way today. Found this a breeze and was expecting a * or ** rating. After Wednesday’s and Thursday’s lonesome struggles – it seems it has swung completely the other way. Many thanks to the setter and to MrK form the blog
I was impressed with myself for just needing a hint for 18a, considering you gave it a ****. I must be improving! Most of the clues needed a bit of thought as regards the structure, but it was pleasing when they fell into place. My cotd was 10a, but I enjoyed some of the lurkers as well. Many thanks to the setter and Mr K.
The fact that I spelt 5d with two p’s and one t , grrr held me up in the top corner . Last one in as a result 11a . Relatively straightforward for a Friday and I think very enjoyable . Much easier than yesterday’s solve . Favourites 1d, 3d and 15a . Thanks to all .
For me that was hard going – but I’m pleased to say I got it finished. Which is a feat I wouldn’t have achieved had I not been checking in with this blog for some time now. Thanks to all, particularly to today’s setter and blogger. Favourite was the traveller’s aid at 2d.
**** / ***
I found this really difficult but less so than yesterday. Still 4* difficulty for me though. I thought the clueing was generally very convoluted. Needed the hints to confirm or even get the parsing for 7 clues! Irregardless ©TDS65 (been a while now), very enjoyable too. Glad to have completed after yesterday.
COTD went to the yen and shekels with runner up spots to the 12a place and the 14d Nice guys – even though I’m sure that’s an oldie.
Many thanks to Mr K for the hints and the setter for a serious workout!
Irregardless for the win! 🏆
Doh!
Complicated today but got there eventually with nice guys as favourite clue. Thank you compiler and Mr K
yes, the Quick pun is a stretch, but bonus points for including extra thematic entries in that grid
Thanks to the Setter and Mr K. We found this tough going and resorted to hints to finish. Clearly not on the right wavelength with our thinking. Horses for courses!
Really tricky today – needed two hints to complete it. Very enjoyable nonetheless. There is an obvious connection between the pun and 18a on the quick crossword, but I wonder if the setter also put 14d in as an extra connection ?
Many thanks to the setter and Mr K. Did the difficulty level eat into time needed to source cat pictures?
I’ve never heard of The Inklings, MN, though it may be a coincidence.
Either way, it’s a nice spot from your good self.
The 9a and 20a combination in the Quickie also connect to the pun.
Then it’s probably not a coincidence. Nice work, fellow solvers.
Oh, look. It’s drinks o’clock! Care to dance, gentlemen? (I loved these programmes)
Thought I was such a failure yesterday as what was rated a 2 star was not completed .My lap top is not functioning so had to work through without access to any info all this week but I got there unaided. In fact it seemed that today’s offering was more accessible than yesterday’s crossword. Am using John’s machine to post today. Favourite is 13down but there were so many fine clues and challenges.
Spent this morning sorting out a new car because my beautiful 11 year old red Mondeo is becoming unreliable . I will cry to loose it.
Thank you Mr K. for confirming my sanity and our clever setter
I have possibly solved two clues. The rest are impenetrable to me.
Kudos to the megabrains that managed to solve this.
Thanks to all.
Hello Bananawarp, If you suggest some clues you are stuck on, maybe we can help? This blog was gold dust for me in that way, and still is. There’s also the reference pages of general tricks etc to look out for.
Chuffed to solve a 4 star xwd. Last in were the two lurkers, which is poor on me as i know to be looking for at least one in every xwd. 5a took ages, i never see for suggesting pro, bit like w for with, always catches me out. Thank you setter.
I found this fairy approachable for a Friday. The south held out for a while until the PDM on the tablets, my COTD. Yesterday’s offering I failed miserably with at least a quarter of the grid unsolved so good to get back to winning ways!
Thanks to Mr K and Setter
Quite chewy today as befits a Friday but I have finished it without recourse to any reveals. The four long ones were useful. Very busy day, just off now to man (or woman) the monthly cinema night in the community hall. I get a free ice cream! Many thanks to Setter and Hinter.
13D my favourite in an excellent Friday workout. VMT Setter & Mr K
2.5* / 3.5* By no means an easy solve but kept plugging away and finished in a reasonable time.
Lots of clever wordplay and definitions, my favourites are the revolutionary 18a, Punch and Judy man at 5d and the official investigator at 13d
Thanks to setter and Mr K
Ps couldn’t see quickie pun but giggled when it was revealed
The Quickie pun didn’t work for me either but enjoyed the main puzzle. 9,10&15a particular likes.
Thanks to the setter & to Mr K.
Ps back home to the miserable weather tomorrow
I love this crossword lark, and human beings – such a mix of opinions. The last two days have been a real graft (an enjoyable one), today was a gentle solve, if perfunctory ( I noted Senf’s comments too).
Pody picks – 21A is one of my favourite words, 14A’s soccer (just because) and 3D’s lengthy but enjoyable surface of faraway folks.
Thanks to setter and Mr K ⭐️
Hello, compiler here. Thanks very much for taking the time to solve, analyse and discuss.
Sorry I wasn’t able to pop in earlier. I’m in Bucaramanga in Colombia and didn’t have internet today until now.
Thanks again for the feedback, always appreciated.
The definition in 15d made me laugh, although only portcoquitlambc gave that clue a mention.
I’ve been getting a musical education while travelling around Colombia for the past five weeks. Here’s my favourite record of the trip so far, ‘Lloradas’ (‘You’ll Be Crying’) by Oscar D’Leon:
May I be the first to reply to your post and say thank you for the challenge! I started it at my usual time last night and gave up after only five answers. Pick it up again this morning and sailed through it, thoroughly enjoying the experience. Loved 2d and the two very well hidden lurkers.
Best one I’ve done for ages. I thought it was brilliant. Two or three took a bit of head scratching. Do we know who the setter is?
Just finished with the obligatory cup of tea. Have been away recently and came back finding that I seemed to have gone backwards in my solving skills, not that they are the best, even the supposedly easier puzzles earlier in the week I struggled with. However, that was a very pleasing solve, having completed the puzzle without the need for any external reference, more so given its difficulty rating. The NW corner proved to be the most troublesome, having initially missed the anagram at 1a and answered ‘Refused’ so causing problems at 3d. More careful reading of the clue gave away the hidden so was able to correct 1a. So 1a and 3d, along withe the shekels at 2d are my CsOTD.
Thank you to the setter and to Mr K for the hints, which I will now peruse.
Very tough, but strangely satisfying. I don’t know why, when some other puzzles are equally difficult but with little enjoyment. ****/****
Took me ages but totally brilliant 👏
Welcome to the blog
4*/3* …
liked 15D “Huts for frolicking -unusual quarters ! (7)”
Great crossword.
Worst pun ever.
Welcome to the blog, andy.