Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3393
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 1st November 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. An excellent Sunday puzzle of Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and important feedback.
This time, after completing the puzzle, I turned to the internet to learn more about a trampolinist, the answer to the clue at 16 Across and gathered a wealth of information about the subject. A trampolinist is an athlete who performs acrobatic movements and exercises on a trampoline. Trampolining is an exciting and challenging sport that requires physical strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and concentration. A trampolinist jumps repeatedly on a specially designed elastic surface, using its bouncing action to perform impressive movements in the air. These may include straight jumps, tuck jumps, pike jumps, twists, somersaults and other complicated aerial skills. Professional trampolinists practise regularly to improve their techniques, develop confidence and maintain physical fitness. They must learn to control their bodies carefully while performing high jumps and complicated movements, as even a small mistake can affect their balance and landing. Safety is therefore extremely important and beginners should always practise under the supervision of trained instructors. Trampolining is also an Olympic sport and skilled athletes compete in national and international competitions. Judges assess their performances according to factors such as execution, difficulty, height and the quality of their movements. Becoming a successful trampolinist requires patience, determination, discipline and continuous practice. Besides being an enjoyable recreational activity, trampolining offers several health benefits. It strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, develops coordination and enhances body awareness. It can also help reduce stress and increase self-confidence. A good trampolinist combines athletic ability with precision, courage and grace. Through dedication and hard work, trampolinists transform a simple series of jumps into spectacular displays of skill and athletic excellence.
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Across
1a Reportedly, American restaurant cut generator (6)
DYNAMO: Homophones heard by the audience (reportedly) of DINER (American restaurant) as a North American term for a small, inexpensive restaurant and MOW (cut) as a verb meaning to cut the growing vegetation of a field, lawn etc or to cut down grass, crops etc with a scythe or a mechanical device that lead to the definition of a generator i.e. a machine for generating electric currents by means of the relative movement of conductors and magnets
4a Some steps taken in US prison repeatedly (6)
CANCAN: The definition referring to a lively, energetic dance of French origin, in which performers kick their legs high into the air, perform rapid steps and move rhythmically, often lifting and waving their long skirts is deduced from CAN (US prison) as a slang North American term for a jail or prison and CAN (repeatedly) as referring to the word that has been repeated
8a Haitian periodically ignored Nick, if pushed (2,1,5)
AT A PINCH: Not taking into account or ignoring the periodical letter and taking only the alternate letters (periodically ignored) of [H]A[I]T[I]A[N] followed by PINCH (nick) as a slang verb meaning to nick, rob, steal or pilfer takes to the definition of a phrase meaning if pushed, if necessary or in a tight spot
10a Offender, batting partner (6)
INMATE: The definition of a person serving a sentence or confined within a prison or correctional facility is arrived at from a charade of IN (batting) as a member of the side, in cricket, that is having its innings i.e. a player who is batting or waiting in the pavilion for a turn to bat and MATE (partner) as a colloquial term for a partner, companion or friend
11a Kill snow vehicle, did you say? (4)
SLAY: The definition of a verb meaning to kill a person or animal in a violent way or to murder maliciously is reached from a homophone heard by the audience (did you say?) of SLEIGH (snow vehicle) as a horse-drawn vehicle used for travelling or transportation over snow or ice
12a Fetter after strike, falling apart (10)
RAMSHACKLE: SHACKLE (fetter) as a fetter, chain, ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle of a horse or other animal preceded by or coming after (after) RAM (strike) as to strike or drive against with a heavy impact leads to the definition of an adjective meaning falling apart, tumbledown, badly constructed or organised or in a state of severe disrepair
13a Understand, as a well-prepared musician may (4,3,5)
KNOW THE SCORE: Double definition; the second being a verbal expression meaning to thoroughly know the musical score i.e. the full musical composition containing all the staves, instruments, and vocal parts, as may a well-prepared musician who has prepared the piece beforehand, that takes to the first, an idiom meaning to fully understand or know the hard facts of the situation or to know what is required or expected, without having to be told
16a Transport peculiar pistol in jumper (12)
TRAMPOLINIST: TRAM (transport) as a means of transport that runs on rails let into the surface of the road followed by an anagram (peculiar) of PISTOL IN guidesto the definition of a person who jumps, turns somersault etc on a framework supporting a piece of canvas, stretched and attached by springs for acrobats, gymnasts, diving learners etc and hence cryptically called a jumper
20a Old driver in comfort, stifling a laugh (10)
CHARIOTEER: The definition of a driver of a two-wheeled vehicle used in ancient warfare or racing is reached from CHEER (comfort) as a comfort, encouragement or enthusiastic approval keeping in or hiding (stifling) a combination of A from the clue and RIOT (laugh) as a laugh, joke, scream or something amusing, absurd or contemptible
21a Leave behind man cave, say (4)
SHED: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to an outhouse or a structure, often open-fronted, used for storage or shelter, an example of which is a man cave i.e. an outbuilding or backyard shed where a man can relax, pursue personal hobbies and unwind away from daily household routines that takes to the first, a verb meaning to leave behind or cast off hair, skin or other coverings or body parts through a natural process
22a Shocking word stops child as well (2,4)
TO BOOT: BOO (shocking word) as an exclamation used to shock, startle or scare someone interrupts by getting inside (stops) TOT (child) as a small child that guides to the definition of a phrase meaning as well, in addition or besides and used to emphasise that something extra is being added to a situation
23a Framework in keels bending, substantial weight put on it (8)
SKELETON: The definition of the internal or external framework of bones of a person or an animal or a framework or outline of anything is arrived at from an anagram (bending) of KEELS and TON (substantial weight) as a unit of weight, equivalent to 2240 pounds placed after it (put on it)
24a Country show on the borders with garden (6)
SWEDEN: The definition of the largest and most populous Nordic country and the fifth-largest country in Europe is reached from the edges or outermost letters (on the border) of S[HO]W followed by (with) EDEN (garden) as referring to the Garden of Eden, the garden where Adam and Eve lived before the Fall
25a Single person on street, daughter out of it (6)
STONED: ONE (single person) as a single person or a single member of a group, category or kind placed after or attached to in the across clue (on) ST (street) as the abbreviation for street and followed by D (daughter) as the genealogical abbreviation for daughter guides to the definition of an adjective denoting under the influence of drugs or alcohol, i.e., out of it
Down
1d Lad, teen and I edited text over article (8)
DATELINE: An anagram (edited) of LAD, TEEN and I guides to the definition of a noun denoting a line in a newspaper or other publication giving the place and date of an article, which is placed above the main text
2d Brisk, as winter weather may be (5)
NIPPY: Double adjectival definition; the second denoting chilly, bitterly cold, frosty or marked by a very low temperature, similar to what winter weather can be that leads to the first meaning quick, lively, energetic or brisk
3d Ruler, metre over vault (7)
MONARCH: The definition of a sole and absolute ruler of a state or nation is got from a charade of M (metre) as the abbreviation for metre, ON (over) as a preposition denoting over, upon or above and ARCH (vault) as vault, dome or curve
5d Noise that is hooter’s caught? (7)
ATISHOO: The definition of a noise representing the sound of a sneeze is arrived at from part of or hidden inside (caught) of [TH]AT IS HOO[TER] (that is hooter’s)
6d Approach family smuggling ecstasy – and confess (4,5)
COME CLEAN: COME (approach) as to approach, draw near or move toward someone or something followed by CLAN (family) as a family or a group of people of common descent bringing in (smuggling) E (ecstasy) as the abbreviation for Ecstasy that refers to as the colloquial term for a drug taken for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties guides to the definition of a verb meaning to confess to something one has been doing secretly
7d Bug – that stings! (6)
NETTLE: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to a plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact, especially of the genus Urtica that brings to the first a verb meaning to bug, irritate, annoy or bother someone
9d Man with pie and mash soon stuffed! (4,7)
HOMO SAPIENS: The definition of a Latin phrase meaning ‘wise man’ and used to refer to human beings as a species is reached from a combination of an anagram (stuffed) of PIE and MASH SOON
14d Swimmer, love rat, we gathered! (5,4)
WATER VOLE: The definition of a semi-aquatic rodent that is an excellent swimmer and lives near rivers, streams and other freshwater habitats is arrived at from an anagram (gathered) of LOVE RAT, WE
15d Flower I had placed under old rock in space (8)
ASTEROID: ASTER (flower) as a garden flower that is usually white to lilac-blue or purple, with many long, thin petals followed by I’D (I had) as a contraction for ‘I had’ or ‘I would’ coming below in the down clue (under) O (old) as the abbreviation for old guides to the definition of any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun, mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
17d A job north of Lancashire vacant for evangelist (7)
APOSTLE: A combination of A from the clue and POST (job) as a position of paid employment or a job placed above in the down clue (north of) L[ANCASHIR]E with its inner letters removed or emptied out (vacant) that brings to the definition of one of a group of twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to preach the Gospel, an example of whom is an evangelist, i.e., a preacher or missionary of the Gospel
18d Great and extremely small different – that’s the greatest! (7)
LARGEST: An anagram of a combination of GREAT from the clue and the extreme or outermost letters (extremely) of S[MAL]L guides to the definition of an adjective in the superlative degree meaning the greatest or most massive among its category or kind
19d Loud cries, oh dear (6)
WHOOPS: Double definition; the second being an interjection used to express dismay, embarrassment or surprise, an example of which is ‘oh dear!’, an expression of surprise, sorrow, pity or dismay that takes to the first, a plural noun denoting loud, boisterous cries or exclamations, particularly those expressing excitement, alarm or enthusiasm
21d Tough back on ship (5)
STERN: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to the back or rear part of a ship or boat that leads to the first, an adjective denoting tough, harsh, rigid or unsparing in treating others
There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 10a, 12a, 13a, 20a, 22a, 25a, 3d, 9d and 15d; 12a being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment. Looking forward to being here again. Have a nice day.