Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31173
Hints and Tips by Senf
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****/*****
A very good Thursday morning from Winnipeg where winter continues in both temperature and precipitation!
For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), absolutely no doubt that this is a friendly back page half of a Dream Team Thursday from the Master of Brevity, with Silvanus on Toughie duty. The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and appearances from the Queen and his swEetheart appearing in the back pager with an average of 5.38 words per clue and a Hmm for 18d. Also, like Dada, Ray T seems to be making occasional use of a personal thesaurus. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 24a, 28a, 4d, and 17d plus an HM for the Pun,
In the hints below, the definitions are underlined. The answers are hidden under the Click here! buttons, so don’t click if you don’t want to see them.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Smashing atoms up is creating element (9)
POTASSIUM: An anagram (smashing . . . creating) of ATOMS UP IS.
6a Hand is good, holding spades (4)
FIST: A single word term equivalent to is good (for purpose) containing (holding) the single letter for Spades in a pack of cards.
10a Theatre occupied vacant time (5)
ODEON: OccupieD with the interior letters removed (vacant) and a term for the largest division of geological time.
11a Remedy sipped, say, getting indigestion (9)
DYSPEPSIA: An anagram (remedy . . . getting) of SIPPED, SAY.
12a Relatively helpful? (7)
NEPOTIC: An adjectival term for showing undue favouritism towards one’s relations.
13a Answering letter enclosing lock of hair (7)
RINGLET: A definite case of if all else fails look for a lurker (enclosing) found in the first two words of the clue.
14a Help comprehending case for philosopher (8)
SOCRATES: An appeal for help sent using morse code containing (comprehending – found in a list of containment indicators) a type of case often made of wood.
16a Scandinavian with Estonia due east, initially (5)
SWEDE: We can’t have a Ray T back pager without selecting initial letters (initially) of five words in the clue.
19a Glides using paddle on board ship (5)
SOARS: A type of paddle (used to propel a boat without a motor) inserted into (on board) the two letters for a type of ship.
21a Single partner inside also excited (8)
ANIMATED: The letter used to indicate numerically single and a synonym of partner all inserted into (inside) a synonym of also.
24a Victor given trouble after supporter’s boasting (7)
BRAVADO: The letter represented by Victor in the phonetic alphabet and (given) a three letter synonym of trouble all placed after the abbreviated form of a female’s ‘supporter.’
25a Reportedly bawdy song for pirate (7)
CORSAIR: A homophone of a synonym of bawdy and a type of song (usually found in operas).
27a Hires out a buggy producing permit (9)
AUTHORISE: An anagram (buggy) of HIRES OUT A.
28a Kind of smell, essentially dank (5)
HUMAN: A slang term for an unpleasant smell and the middle letters (essentially) of dANk.
29a Monster therefore returns (4)
OGRE: The reversal (returns) of the Latin for therefore.
30a Decree nisi without one moving house (9)
RESIDENCE: An anagram (moving) of DECREE NISi with one of the Roman numerals for one deleted (without).
Down
1d Terribly poor signs seeing medical forecast (9)
PROGNOSIS: An anagram (terrible) of POOR SIGNS.
2d Silly Queen cuts time with power (5)
TWERP: The regnal cypher of our dear departed Queen inserted into (cuts) the single letters for Time, With, and Power.
3d Fans in a trance catching singer (7)
SINATRA: Another lurker (catching), the same principle applies, found in four words in the clue.
4d Represented with no adult being charged (8)
INDICTED: A synonym of represented with the single letter for Adult deleted (with no).
5d Lives in jolly heartless despair (6)
MISERY: A two letter synonym of lives inserted into (in) a synonym of jolly with the centre letter deleted (heartless).
7d Bust is forward maintaining volume (9)
INSOLVENT: A synonym of forward (as in rude?) containing (maintaining) the single letter abbreviation for Volume.
8d Drink while surrounded by drink (5)
TOAST: A synonym of while contained (surrounded) by a synonym of drink (of spirits?).
9d After fault, catch up for game (6)
TENNIS: The reversal (up) of all of a synonym of fault (of which there are seven deadly ones) placed after a synonym of catch (fish or butterflies?).
15d Licence to withhold account identity (9)
CHARACTER: A synonym of licence (granted by a monarch?) to contain (withhold) a two letter abbreviation of (financial) account.
17d Finish United run acquiring new stamina (9)
ENDURANCE: Lego® time, a synonym of finish, the single letter for United, and a synonym of run containing (acquiring) the single letter for New.
18d Grand pound shop’s opening showing pants (8)
KNICKERS: A single letter used to represent the number represented by the slang term grand, a slang term for a pound sterling, and the first letter (‘s opening) of Shop.
20d Salt perhaps playing under large waves (6)
SEASON: A two letter synonym for playing placed after (under) a term for large waves (nautically).
22d Walked solemnly and bowed after Mass (7)
MARCHED: A synonym of bowed placed after the single letter for Mass.
23d More idiotic support following party (6)
DOPIER: A type of support (for a bridge?) placed after (following) a two letter party.
24d Exclude nothing about sweetheart for party (5)
BEANO: A synonym of exclude and the single letter that can be used for nothing containing (about) Ray T’s swEetheart.
26d Male embraced by a male? Capital! (5)
AMMAN: The single letter for Male contained (embraced) by A from the clue and a synonym of male.
Quick Crossword Pun:
GOES + TRITER = GHOST WRITER
I enjoyed every moment of this puzzle even if the time suggested that it was a Toughie. The first pass allowed for a half filled grid, mainly in the West and South with the NE requiring more effort. My top picks are 6, 10, 14, 24 and 25 for the across clues, 15, 18 and 22 for the downs. 14a and 22d share top spot for COTD whilst 9d was LOI. Many thanks to the setter and hinter.
I found it worked better when I started at the bottom of this guzzle, although the excellent element anagram aat 1d also leapt to mind at once. I also liked the missing letter clue at 4d, the homophone at 25a and the Lego clue philosopher at 14a. Thanks to mr T for another entertaining crossword and to Senf for tthe hints
I remember somebody posted a comment stating that they begin their attempt using the last clues. I always start from the first across clue.
In the days of Jay on a Wednesday, I started my solve of his puzzles by ‘going up the Downs.’
I couldn`t imagine starting anywhere other than at the beginning. Old habits and all that!
Hear, hear Conor
It’s certainly an approach I’ve advocated, Conor: “if at first you don’t succeed, start at the bottom instead”!
I get the impression from some setters that they make the NW corner quite challenging but, by the time they’re on the final few clues in the SE, they’re keen to finish it and move on to their next set of clues, and so reduce the difficulty level.
Which is probably all pish and balderdash, but it suits me!
I will always read the puzzle in chronological order. Across clues followed by the downs, picking off what I can. regardless of the paper, toughie or not. I am too long in the tooth to change now!
Thanks for the hints Senf as they helped me understand 14a, 15d, 10a and 7d! 27a had an anagram indicator I hadn’t seen before. My two favourites were 21a and 8d. Quite a tricky one and thanks to the setter.
Brilliant quality as always from one of our favourite setters, with ticks all over the grid denoting terrific clues. 11 and 14a were my choices for top picks.
Thanks to Ray T and Senf.
I have never heard of 12ac I know the ism, this made me question a lot of my NW answers, otherwise enjoyable.
A tussle for me but an enjoyable one.
LOI was 14a.
26d brought back memories of staying there for a school trip a long while ago now.
Top picks for me were 15d, 7d and 24a.
Thanks to Senf and Ray T
1.5*/5*. A truly delightful RayT puzzle which was a joy to solve from start to finish.
14a was my favourite with a special mention for 12a.
Many thanks to RayT and to Senf.
I’m glad others also found this a tad chewy. Very enjoyable though with lots of fun along the way. 18d was my response to a couple in the NE that held me up for some while, so it makes my podium alongside 10a and 24d. Thanks to Ray T and Senf.
For me, and I stress for me © Senf), I enjoyed this guzzle immensely. Tricky, but each new handful of checking letters aided me towards cracking another glue, and so on.
Shortly, I am out into the garden armed with organic weed killer. It has to be non-harmful to animals as we get cats, foxes, muntjac, water voles, giraffes, meandering along the path that runs alongside the little river. Last year I put down a weed-supressing* membrane and covered it with bark chippings, yet still all sorts of unwanted greenery emerges through the thing.
*When I first typed the above, I missed the ‘d’ of weed so that it read ‘wee-suppressing membrane’. As I have to get up about five times during the night I could, perhaps, do with one of those.
Thanks to RayTee and the shivering Man From Manitoba
For me, this was a great puzzle from RayT on his fortnightly appearance on the back pager. The master of brevity along with his succinct clueing give us lots to like including the Queen and his sweetheart too. A fun solve with a few grins along the way.
1.5*/4.5* for me today
Favourite candidates 13a, 19a, 28a, 1d, 2d & 26d — with winner 2d
Smiles for 16a, 19a, 29a & 2d
Thanks to RayT & Senf
Lovely puzzle from MrT – it helped that I saw 1a immediately, so went through all the acrosses first, leaving six including 11a, and then the downs, for once all of them falling at first read. The final half-dozen then posed no resistance. A swift and gentle solve with many smiles, ticking off all Ray’s “tells” along the way.
Honours to 14a, 25a, & 18d because the surface made me chuckle. Many thanks to RayT and to Senf
Another solid puzzle from fortnightly Fred that, like yesterday’s, was a gentle stroll through the Land of the Cross.
When I saw ‘buggy’, I thought ‘Surely not?’. But, it’s slang for ‘crazy’ which passes muster. I also didn’t know that ‘silly’ on its own can be a noun. Another one to add to the crib sheet.
Back-to-back ‘parties’ was unfortunate but RayT has got far too many means in the jar for it to affect my rating.
My podium is 12a, 14a and 28a (very neat).
MTTTA and Senf.
2*/4*
A top notch RT puzzle which I’m sure would meet with the approval of his number one fan – I hope Jane is well enough to glance at it. The solve edged into ** time & the longest back-page completion of the week thus far so found it a tad trickier than normal. Not sure what Tom will have to say about remedy & buggy as anagram indicators & can’t recall encountering comprehending as a containment indicator before but all fine by me. The surface at 23a prompted a wry grimace at the thought of today’s poll in Gorton & Denton & at 4d the hope that the two recent high profile arrests will be in the fullness of time. Lots of ticks – 12,14&28a + 5,8,15&20d stood out for me – with 28a (great cartoon) my fav not least because it prompted a play of a fine Dylan LeBlanc tune
Thanks to Ray T & to Senf
Huge thumbs up for yer Dylan LeBlanc tune.
A very good RayT – thanks to him and Senf
2*/4*
12a and 25a favourites
I’d have a little hmmmm by 20d and 18d, my last 2 in.
A longer solve than recent days with good use of an unusual adjectival form at 12a. I rather wish I could provide such support to my offspring, whose prospects as history and politics graduates seem increasingly thin with the growth of AI etc. Time for them to retrain as e.g. electricians perhaps and almost certainly for a rethink of what we suggest is aspirational for young adults. On a lighter note, I thought the homophone at 25a was very droll. Thanks very much to the setter and to Senf, not least for the excellent cartoon at 28a.
*(*) / ****
The extra (*) for difficulty is just for 20d, which for no good reason took me an age and a half! Otherwise, a very straightforward RayT for me © etc. and the usual delight to solve.
12a was a new word for me, although the answer was obvious from the more common ‘ism’ ending. I invented a new word for me for 5d as well – ‘mopery’, which turned out to be a real word! Of course it didn’t quite parse and it stopped me biffing in the answer to 11a until I spotted my error. 18d was a delayed parse too as I could get 4 letters for pound (as in a place) so couldn’t see where the other two came from until I saw the hint citing money. Wondered about 14a’s ‘comprehending’ and 15d’s ‘withhold’ as containment indicators so checked the hints and today was yet another a school day.
Ticks went to 1a (@TDS I got to use my Chemistry!), 24a’s boasting and 24d’s party.
Many thanks to RayT and Senf.
Going to try the toughie later, don’t usually get the chance but managed last week’s by Silvanus and it was a joy so have to try again.
Go, Professor Pops!
I’ve met many chemists and physicists over the years who claim that what they study is THE science. I find chemistry more interesting as reactions are just the best.
TDS likes “reactions” mmm interesting
Like it, Sloops. Like it.
Gird your loins Alfie – it’s a Toughie which means ALP will probably give it a measly couple of **s for difficulty. Nearly threw in the towel for last in 19d until the singer registered but, unlike me, you’ll know what the definition is. Well worth the struggle though.
Correction make that *
Wed and Thurs certainly a lot gentler than last week …
16A – is that an ‘all in one’ clue, since Scandinavian is on double duties, providing the initial S as well as the definition?
Pody picks … COTD is 25A – I noted Huntsman’s comment that ’buggy’ may be a questionable anagram indicator. I thought it was marvellous – I’m also a software tester by trade so ‘buggy’ is close to my heart. Its pody partners are 25A, liked the homophone and the answer is a word I often forget its meaning, and 11A’s remedy of a nice anagram.
Thanks to Ray T and Senf.
My initial reaction on seeing 1a and 1d was ‘oh no, here we go again’ because I begin to tire of ever iffier aIs but in fact it turned out to be a collection of engaging cryptology. 14a and 18d unparsed. Needed confirmation of 2d as for me it was a confusion of noun and adjective but apparently not so. Thanks RayT and Senf.
Good afternoon all. Does anyone know where they actually publish the names of the weekend Prize Cryptic winners? After 60+ years of trying my father has won it but all they send is an impersonal covering note with a fountain pen. They don’t tell you which one you won. I would like to get it framed for him as a birthday present. He won the online version and only has the online telegraph. Thanks for any help
What a shame – that’s rather poor. I’ve no idea & wouldn’t bother asking Steve Cowling who’s convinced they’re mythical.
Hi Mark, I got this from AI. Seems you can email them.
The UK Daily Telegraph publishes the names (typically with surnames and counties) of prize cryptic crossword winners in the print edition of the newspaper—specifically in the Daily or Sunday Telegraph’s print puzzle section.
According to the official prize puzzle terms and conditions on the Telegraph’s website, winners’ details are published there on specified dates tied to the puzzle draw schedule (as outlined in Condition 3 of those T&Cs). This appears to be the primary method of announcement for prize winners, such as those from the Saturday Cryptic Crossword (a common prize cryptic).
They do not seem to publish these lists online in an easily accessible public archive or dedicated winners page based on available information. If someone wants an individual winner’s name and county (or objects to publication), they can email puzzles@telegraph.co.uk with details like “[prize puzzle name and date published] winners”.
This is corroborated by recent discussions (e.g., on crossword blogs/forums in 2026) where solvers ask about winner publication locations, pointing back to the print section rather than digital. For the most current or specific puzzle’s winners, check the print newspaper around the post-closing date period or contact the puzzles team directly.
Excellent crossword as always from RayT. Thanks to him and Senf.
It is rather small, but I have encapsulated in a credit card sized sticky thing
Hi Mark. I have been lurking for years, but as no-one else has given a proper answer to your question, I am coming out into the open. The Saturday winners are published in the paper on Mondays a week after the original puzzle. The Sunday winners are published two weeks later. I still have a pile of recent papers, so if you let me know your father’s name, I will try to find it and scan it for you.
I enjoyed the puzzle as always, especially 18d.
Welcome to the blog, Tony.
What did you think of the puzzle?
Hi Gazza. I did say that I enjoyed it (as I know you like a comment from the newbies).
I don’t suppose that Mark will see my comment, as it is on yesterday’s crossword. Don’t want him to miss out on the publication, so please feel free to send something direct to him if you have his email address.
Hi Tony,
I’ve emailed Mark and asked him if he’s happy for me to let you have his email address.
A fine Thursday puzzle from Ray T which I received early today from my goddaughter instead of at the usual teatime (or never), so she must be on an early shift instead her normal lates. Great clues as usual, about average difficulty for a back-pager and certainly an enjoyable solve. No idea why 18d should elicit a “hmm”? Favourite today: 14a. 2.5*/4*.
Thanks to RayT and Senf(for the hints). We started well but got stuck with a few clues that we needed to resort to hints to solve. COTD 25a. LOI 6a. Pouring with rain so an ideal time to get our brains working.
Another RayT Thursday – another hmmmph from me. At least there wasn’t a Spoonerism I suppose. I blame the weather for my grump after a joyful sign of spring yesterday reality slaps me back down to earth like a plump raindrop.
A Ray T finished and under the power of my own brain. Once again by solving enough clues to provide checkers for the others and then by deduction and luck arriving at the solution. It enabled me to grasp some of the clue but in most cases not to parse it with any reasonable sense.
7d, 11 and 21a stand with fists raised on the podium for John Davidson and swearing like troopers.
Thanks to Ray T and Senf for an enjoyable solve.
Thanks to Senf and RayT. I needed help to parse 18d and 5d and learned a new capital city. I liked 12a best.
Evening all. Many thanks to Senf for the elucidation and to everybody else for your comments. As always, much appreciated.
RayT
Once again, thank you for a puzzle that was both very enjoyable to solve and to elucidate!
1.5* / 4* A tremendous Thursday puzzle with only a couple of hold ups (18 20d). Enjoyed the wit and clever misdirection.
Favourites include 18d pants, 14a philosopher and 4d charged
Thanks to RayT and Senf
Started early this morning and completed about 30% before I had to go out for the rest of the day. When I resumed I thought I was looking into a void with nothing making sense. Then, once I found the philosopher everything dropped like dominoes.
The helpful relative was a new word for me, but obtainable from the checkers and it’s ‘ism’ variant. The bawdy song stands out.
Thanks to RayT and Senf
2.5*/4*
Set off like a house on fire slowed down then finished with almost indecent haste. Oh well there’s always tomorrow to bring me down to earth with a bump. I always love Rayt’s puzzles, good clues and always a bit of risqué humour. Favourite was 18d. Thanks to Rayt and Senf.
A challenging but entertaining experience after a day out.
Many thanks to RayT and Senf
2*/4* …
liked 8D “Drink while surrounded by drink (5)”
and the cartoon in the hint thereto.