Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Hints and tips for completing the regular Daily Telegraph Cryptic crosswords
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. As an American who hasn’t spent much time in the UK for decades now, some of the general knowledge required to make sense of today’s puzzle and the Quick Pun surfaced only after considerable head-scratching. It might be nearing time for me to leave this challenge to the native speakers. Continue reading "DT 30934"
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This puzzle was published on 17th May 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A lovely, straightforward Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 30929 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3483 by Hudson
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
It’s a real pleasure to get a visit from Hudson on a Thursday and he’s brought with him a very entertaining puzzle with lots of humour. Many thanks to him.
Continue reading “Toughie 3483”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30933
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We are back from our week in the Highlands and I would again like to thank Huntsman for standing in for me at short notice last Thursday. It was much appreciated.
There is no doubt that this is the work of RayT, as all of his usual hallmarks are there. He has excelled himself on brevity this week, averaging a fraction below 5. I think this is the first time on my watch that he has dipped below the 5 words/clue barrier. Quite remarkable.
My podium clues are 24a, 8d and 14d. I found the puzzle about right for a Thursday in terms of difficulty. What did you think?
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ***
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where the weather is becoming more seasonal, at least that’s what the meteorologists are telling us.
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), once again, I hope that I do not offend anyone, with a few Hmms, this was like a Monday puzzle, as Monday puzzles used to be, with, once again, no sign of the Reverend W A Spooner but the phonetic alphabet was somewhat overworked. Whomsoever the setter is, thank you. I make no apologies for the illustration that I have used for 27a!
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
A slightly dullish start to the day here in Harpenden but it seems to be brightening up nicely.
A Typically Tuesdayish puzzle from the Prof today that I’d rate on the gentle side even for a Plumb production. Enjoyable & the perfect guzzle for the less experienced cryptic solver to cut his or her teeth on. As usual hints plus the usual assortment of clips are provided should they be required.
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.
Hello. Today’s crossword is apparently from the anonymous member of the regular Monday trio, the one who isn’t X-Type or Twmbarlwm. Welcome especially to anybody new to cryptic crosswords: hints and explanations for each clue are below, with definitions underlined and the answers hidden behind the Told you! blobs — though don’t click that one, obviously.
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****