Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ****
Hello, everyone, and welcome to a solid and enjoyable Friday puzzle. I’m afraid that work and other commitments meant that I started solving and hinting today very late, meaning that I was once again left with no time to hunt for suitable pictures. I hope that the commentariat will provide a few. I shall try to do better in the future. Continue reading "DT 31090"
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This puzzle was published on 15th November 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A slight tough but entertaining Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31085 (Full Review)”
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
The usual cleverness from Django. Some quirky little tricks, fun definitions and a riot of 80s reference – in (bar 28a!) a good way. All yours.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31089
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
No prizes for “Guess the Setter” this morning, so Senf can keep his toonies safely concealed at the back his sock drawer. This has all of RayT’s hallmarks: single word answers, single word answers and clues in the Quickie, a queen, a sweetheart and brevity of clueing at a fraction over five words/clue. It also displays his usual elegance and was a joy to solve, although I suspect he is being gentler than usual with us this morning. My podium comprises 1a, 29a and 1d. Which clues did you like?
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.
Many thanks to RayT and to the DT Crossword Team. BTW, I loved the Quickie pun!
Toughie No 3586 by Hudson
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
CrypticSue is still convalescing from her knee op so you’re lumbered with me again; she’ll be sorry to have missed blogging this very enjoyable puzzle from Hudson to whom many thanks.
Continue reading “Toughie 3586”
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where ice is beginning to form on the rivers that run through the city. No c*ck-ups from me, all the hints are there, or the DT, the puzzle ‘appeared’ on time, today.
For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), a very enjoyable puzzle with a number of examples of clever misdirection. With sharing Wednesdays with Gazza I am losing track of the Wednesday setters so I just hope that today’s setter pops in to claim ownership.
Sunday Toughie No 198 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 9th of November 2025
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This puzzle was published on 9th November 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A straightforward and gentle puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3342 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3585 by Dada
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
Dada is being fairly gentle with us this morning, in an enjoyable and reasonably accessible Tuesday Toughie. My ticks were for the confused directors at 7a, the winter coat at 26a, the discarded drink at 3d and the primate at 5d.
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.
Many thanks to Dada and to the DT Crossword Team.