DT Cryptic Crosswords – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 31333

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31333

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***

The sun is shining here in Harpenden but a walk will have to wait as I’m off back to bed to catch up on some much needed kip. Yesterday was a full on day of golf followed by a very pleasant early evening meal at a Turkish restaurant near my course then the trek into Hammersmith to see The Black Keys. Suffice to say I was finally in bed much later than is ideal when you have to get up & write the blog.

As ever with one of AP’s Tuesday puzzles tightly clued & not overly taxing fortunately – on a par with yesterday in terms of difficulty.

I’ve not had a chance to look at it but I see Chalicea is over in t’other place. I’m sure that will be an accessible puzzle well worth having a stab at & Whybird will appreciate your thoughts on it.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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.

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DT 31332

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31332

Hints and tips by Smylers

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BD Rating – Difficulty ★★Enjoyment ★★★★

Hello. It’s the last day of August, and a Bank Holiday for those in England, Northern Ireland, or Wales — meaning I get to write this at a more relaxed pace, instead of the usual need to finish solving and blogging early, before working 9 to 5.

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Toughie 3748

Toughie No 3748 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ****

Thanks to Sparks for an enjoyable pangram.

Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.
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DT 31330

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31330

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Lots of linked clues today, so if that’s your thing you probably enjoyed this crossword a lot.  Continue reading "DT 31330"

DT 31325 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31325

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 22nd August 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Kolkata. A bit tough yet brilliant Saturday puzzle from Twmbarlwm that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “DT 31325 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3747

Toughie No 3747 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** Enjoyment ****

Friendly wordplay from Silvanus with just a sniff of GK (1a, 12a, etc). Nothing overly exotic and all typically fair. Not really a Toughie – just a very enjoyable crossword. The floor is yours.

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DT 31329

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31329

Hints and Tips by Senf

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****

A very good Thursday morning from Winnipeg where, apparently, I have been managing to sleep through overnight thunderstorms!

For me, and I stress for me© (I have to say that for Terence), a Dream Team Thursday!  There is no doubt that this is the very entertaining work of the Master of Brevity.  The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance from the Queen, Ray T’s swEetheart, and the plain sweetheart in the back pager.  Also, like Dada, Ray T still 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!

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Toughie 3746

Toughie No 3746 by Zenas

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

The first actual Toughie of this week has been set for us by Zenas

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DT 31328

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31328
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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BD Rating – Difficulty **  Enjoyment ***

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog.  I found today’s puzzle to be a step up in difficulty from the previous two days, with one or two more obscure words and a reasonable amount of general knowledge required.  Amongst my favourite clues were 1a, 10a, 12a and 2d, but the one I liked best was 14a, which made me laugh once the penny dropped.  Many thanks to our setter.

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