Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31285
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
Looks like we’re in for another hot one today so I think golf can wait for much later this afternoon when hopefully it will be a bit cooler.
I’d describe today’s Anthony Plumb offering as a workmanlike puzzle – perfectly pleasant but lacking a bit of his usual sparkle & on a par with yesterday in terms of difficulty. Maybe that’s just me so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it.
Our old Thursday reviewer is on duty in t’other place & his puzzles are always worth having a stab at. Today’s puzzle is very accessible. Whybird, as ever, will be delighted to hear your thoughts.
As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore. I’ve been working my way through Joe Bonamassa’s recorded live output (there’s a lot of it) hence 4 of his tunes.
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 African country with new leader – someone ferocious (5)
TIGER: swap out the 1st letter (new leader) in a landlocked country in West Africa
4a Goat, perhaps, following large, unknown insect (9)
BUTTERFLY: an oft used crossword setter’s synonym for a goat referencing their behaviour then append the single letter abbreviations for F[ollowing] & L[arge] + a letter in mathematics for an unknown value or a variable.
9a Upset at Leo, bare, getting flesh out (9)
ELABORATE: an anagram (upset) of AT LEO BARE.
10a Streeting evidently harbours suspicion (5)
TINGE: hidden (harbours).
11a Smack European swimmer (7)
TADPOLE: an informal noun or adverb for ‘smack’ in the sense of a little bit + a Central European national.
12a Criticised socialist about topless brag (7)
ROASTED: remove the initial letter (topless) from a synonym for brag/crow & insert into (about) the usual term for a socialist or communist.
13a Eastern country’s asset (6)
ESTATE: E[astern] + a term for a country.
15a Scone and its crumbled pieces (8)
SECTIONS: an anagram (crumbled) of SCONE ITS.
18a Last spell in jail oddly rejected (8)
TERMINAL: link a noun for a spell/period of time with IN from the clue & [j]A[i]L (oddly rejected).
20a Nearer conclusion by Republican (6)
CLOSER: a synonym for conclusion/finish + R[epublican].
23a A very bad ratio for pilot (7)
AVIATOR: A from the clue + V[ery] + an anagram (bad) of RATIO.
24a Sipping Tango with a pop star (7)
TASTING: T[ango] (NATO alphabet) + A from the clue + the Geordie Policeman.
26a Hunter runs over, taken aback by lion scratching head (5)
ORION: reverse (taken aback) the single letter cricket abbreviations for R[uns] & O[ver] then append [l]ION from the wordplay (scratching head/1st letter).
27a Where one’s hammered, say, without delay (2,3,4)
ON THE NAIL: very likely in 17d watching the England game but hopefully not on the thumb – a well-known idiom for fulfilling an obligation on the spot.
28a Grappled with plug then put clothes on (9)
ADDRESSED: an abbreviated term for a plug/promo + a past tense verb meaning to put clothes on.
29a Regularly is upset by editor’s career (5)
SPEED: [i]S [u]P[s]E[t] (regularly) + the usual abbreviation for the newspaper boss.
Down
1d Male’s after titbit? Hospital department nurse may provide this (9)
TREATMENT: M[ale] + the usual hospital department dealing with trouble upstairs is preceded by (after) by a loose(ish) synonym for titbit/naughty but nice snack maybe. Barbara Windsor as Nurse Sandra May sprang to mind.
2d August golf day includes endless bluster (5)
GRAND: insert (includes) a truncated (endless) synonym for bluster/tirade between G[olf] (NATO alphabet) & D[ay]
3d Discover England cricketer in an exhausted state (4,3)
ROOT OUT: the surname of an ex England captain who recently skippered a match when Stokes was stood down + a synonym for an exhausted state/nowt left.
4d Supports British people with benefits, finally (6)
BRACES: B[ritish] + people/tribe + [benefit]S (finally).
5d What’s turned up in Conservatives’ hypotheses (8)
THEORIES: reverse (turned up/down clue) & insert (in) a spoken interjection inviting repetition or confirmation of something into the popular name for the Conservative & Unionist Party.
6d Take out old parcel (7)
EXTRACT: the usual prefix for old/former + a synonym for parcel in the context of a portion of land.
7d Works parties (9)
FUNCTIONS: straightforward double definition.
8d Bear that is left blocking yard (5)
YIELD: place the usual 2 letters for ‘that is’ + L[eft] within (blocking) the abbreviation for ‘yard’. Nowt to do with Baloo or Paddington.
14d Scared couple admitting sin if prodded, essentially (9)
TERRIFIED: insert (admitting) a verb meaning to sin/trangress + IF from the clue within a synonym for couple in the context of fasten/secure. Finally append [pro]D[ded] (essentially).
16d Fought heartless rat and slugged wildly (9)
STRUGGLED: an anagram (wildly) of R[a]T (heartless) & SLUGGED.
17d Ramp’s too high for areas where beer is served (8)
TAPROOMS: another anagram (high) of RAMPS TOO.
19d Passionate in the past? (7)
INTENSE: IN from the clue what ‘past’ may be an example of in a grammatical context hence the question mark.
21d Is almost anxious after student pays attention (7)
LISTENS: IS from the clue + a shortened (almost) adjective meaning anxious preceded by (after) the usual single letter for student/L[earner].
22d Began ignoring Federer’s last set (6)
STATED: remove (ignoring last) the final letter of Roger’s surname from a past tense verb for began/commenced.
23d Old artist picked up mother’s fragrance (5)
AROMA: O[ld] + the two letter abbreviation for an artist/R[oyal] A[cademician] reversed (picked up/down clue] then append an informal term for mother.
25d Picture this writer’s silver pen, unwrapped (5)
IMAGE: a contaction that may be used by this writer + the chemical symbol for silver + p[E]n (unwrapped/outer letters deleted).
I’ll plump for podium spots for 2,5&14d plus a smile at Wes harbouring doubts in 10a. Please let us know which clues you liked best.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: BET + ERR + DAZE = BETTER DAYS
Here’s a bonus Bonamassa recording – this time with Beth Hart doing a terrific version of a Melody Gardot song.
A typical professorial offering today although I thought it slightly tougher than usual. Most enjoyable, though and I have a plethora of ticks on the paper. The ferocious African country at 1a, the goat at 4a and where one is hammered at 27a all raised a smile. It is nice to welcome back an old favourite at 11a but my COTD goes to the work parties at 7d.
Thank you, Professor for a fun puzzle. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
A warm start to the day with the local Wrekin forecast showing a return to hot weather for the next 10 days. If this really is to become the norm, I might need a garden rethink?
I found today’s puzzle to be on a par with yesterday…excellent clues with a couple to ponder.
The student paying attention at 21d was my favourite with the works parties at 7d a good runner up.
My thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints.
Given recent global events one trusts that the UK Prime Minister has the mobile number for Saturday’s VAR official…just in case an intervention is necessary.
I know what you mean about a garden retain, GP. My runner beans are shrivelling but the chillies are thriving.
Rethink! spellchecker. I tried to edit but it didn’t work.
I tried to edit my post but it didn’t work. Just wanted to say Shabbo is on Toughie duty and he’s always worth a look.
Already said it for you in the intro Steve
Sorry Andy – I have things on my mind at the moment so missed it. Probably why I found AP tougher than usual today.
The usual Tuesday excellence on show this morning, with a well-clued and enjoyable puzzle. I had plenty of choices for favourite, and decided upon 5d.
My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
I completely agree with Huntsman’s description of today’s challenge as workmanlike. Each clue was well crafted and fair with a solid surface but I didn’t detect the usual humour or experience any significant Baht drop moments. I did have to work at a couple of the clues but nothing stood out as COTD. Given the demographics of this group I am sure once the Y checker for 8D was in place we were all scrambling to find a way to fit Boo Boo’s partner into the grid.
Thai corner.
Following the reminiscences provoked by the state of the electrical arrangements here in Thailand I thought a fact about the water supply here might bring similar stories in the vein of tin baths in front of the fire etc.
In Thailand over 90% of houses do not have a hot water supply. There is generally only one tap and this supplies water at the ambient temperature which of course is generally hot. There are also no baths and the showers are again fed by water at ambient temperature.
The tap in the picture is not a mixer tap.
Most of the year up here in the frozen North, our water comes out of the tap stone cold.
When we have Australians to stay (fairly often as a lot of relatives there) they are always amazed by that.
I awoke at 3 a.m and got the crossword up on the app but fell asleep again almost straightaway!. When the bin men arrived at 5.45 am, I satrted with only 3 clues in but the puzzle fell into place steadily and very enjoyable it was too, not at all soporific. I too liked the ferocious African country at 1a and also the well- misdirected insected at4a.The double definition crelated clues at 7d and 8d were good fun. My last one in was 17d, an old term that I had forgotten Not for the first time, I drew in my teenage addiction to Georgette Heyer bovels. Thanks to Professor Plumb abd to Huntsman for the hints
Oh lovely Georgette Heyer. How she made my innocent young heart flutter. But you are right, her historical references were impeccable and very useful in Guzzleland.
Of course thanks to Huntsman for the hints and to the setter.
I started my beans later than usual and the runners are progressing ok, but surprisingly the climbing French beans are slow to get moving.
As for the puzzle, I’ll agree with Huntsman regarding a workmanlike offering and on balance I found it slightly easier than yesterday with everything readily gettable.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman
1*/3*
My garden gets alot of sun , as we face full south at the front and along the back fence. The fruit as done well inthe latter location but the beans are struggling . The out door tomatoes,courgettes and sweetcorn are soung well further into the hade. The sun is great but we have had so little rain
Ditto with garden and sun. Our lunch today was one enormous Beef Tomato sliced with a few slices of salami and cucumber. And a nice Pino Grigio. Yummy.
Go going early as John was quick with the tea and the crossword printout. Great fan of Mr. Plumb and he was being very gentle and entertaining non the less.
Yes, a 1 * for difficulty and many stars for enjoyment. Most pleasing clue was 26 across because of the misleading definition.
Still recovering from yesterday’s tennis as both favourites, Arthur and Taylor Fritz came through.
Thanks as ever Mr. Plumb and Huntsman
1.5* / 4* Well I thought there was plenty of humour and good misdirection, thoroughly enjoyable.
Best of the day include last one in 7d works parties, 17d where beer served and liked the insect at 4a (really tried to get billy in there)
Thanks to the compiler and the Huntsman
Very Typically Tuesdayish – */****
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 12a, 26a, 5d, and 6d – and the winner is 6d.
Thanks to AP and H.
I have more ticks on my page than I thought I would when I started the puzzle.
I may be very late commenting tomorrow, if at all, as I’m going to the RHS flower show at Badminton which is just down the road from me. It should be good but I think the heat may be too much to make it enjoyable.
Top picks for me were 17d, 1a, 21d, 5d and 14d.
Thanks to Huntsman, loved the cat at 8d, and to Mr Plumb.
Spot on for a Tuesday with the prof in fine form…as always.
Yogi Bear was superb as were his creators, Hanna and Barbera. What fun they must have had over the years.
11a is certainly giving rhubarb a run for its money for being the most used answer in 2026.
My picks are 10a, 26a and 5d.
MTTTA and Hoots!
1*/4*
A fun Tuesday puzzle which was a pleasure to solve. Appeared fairly straightforward but several misdirections pulled me up now and then. 17a was LOI and this was because I wrongly assumed the answer would contain the word ‘bar’. I also immediately thought of Boo Boo’s picnic basket loving friend for 8d! These two clues featured in my favourites, together with 4a, 23a, 26a, 3d and 7d. It was a */**** for me today. Thank you AP and Huntsman.
There are plenty of beasts on view today – thanks to our setter for the enjoyable puzzle and to Huntsman for the review.
My ticks went to 9a, 26a and 6d.
Joe Bonamassa The Spirit of Rory live from Cork, one great guitarist paying tribute to another. One of the great albums of the year.
1*/4*. TT – light and fun.
5d, 7d & 21d make up my podium selection.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.
A sound and enjoyable traditional Tuesday back-pager. Many super surface reads, resulting in some broad smiles. So good to have (1) a puzzle with a full compliment of clues – good value for money – and (2) for it to print to a single page even with 32 clues, an admirable lack of verbosity!
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman
* / ***
I agree with Huntsman’s analysis today. As to the frequency of 11a, that answer does not come easily if one has biffed a lurker into 2d that wasn’t there and not properly reading the clue! D’oh! My COTD was the Hunter at 26a.
Many thanks to the Prof and Huntsman
For the umpteenth time I have failed to win the Sunday Prize Puzzle, so therefore the prize has gone to someone else!
This is a stain on the competition, so I’m asking that nice Mr Trump to phone the head man at the Telegraph to get this overtuned.
He’s already doing for me. Sorry, TC. 😊
Whoops, that should read ‘overturned’
Another appearance of the ex policeman at 24a – he really does pop up frequently.
A nice gentle solve with lots of lovely surfaces which is ever the case on a Tuesday. Many thanks to.tje setter and to Hintsman for the tunes.
I struggled at first with this one…then did the clues from the bottom up and fared much better.
Favourite the goat at 4a….I often forget that synonym…..
Thanks to he setter and to Huntsman.
Not much sign of sun or heat up here (which I am not too bothered by as I am not a sun-lover and get quite grumpy in the heat). Raining on and off, which is good for the garden but slightly depressing.
Not as depressing as the continual sport, though. Have just realised that after the World Cup and Wimbledon comes the Commonwealth Games…..gloom has descended here again, though Mr Meringue is in heaven. Thank goodness for Box sets on i-players .
I have occasional off days with AP puzzles and today was one of them. Looking back after completion, I have to wonder why? I liked 4a, 27a and 23a. Cotd is a toss up between 7d and 17d with the latter getting the nod. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
A relatively normal Tuesday puzzle this week.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites 4a, 23a, 27a, 1d & 23d — with winner 23a
Thanks to AP & Huntsman