Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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This puzzle was published on 13th July 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A lovely, delightful puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable comments. Continue reading “ST 3325 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3517 by Donnybrook
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Hello from an overcast, not-exactly-warm Wirral peninsula. I am right, it is a Tuesday again, isn’t it? … Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30985
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers. No good asking me who the setter is on this puzzle, as I am well outside my Thursday comfort zone, having swopped days with Huntsman this week.
There is a European feel to today’s puzzle, with references to Finland, Germany, France, Portugal and Scotland, with Europe itself making an appearance in 2d. A pleasant enough solve and fairly gentle as befits a Tuesday. If pushed, I would propose 3d as my CoD.
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 to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from my lakeside retreat near Ottawa where we have been experiencing mostly hot, sunny weather. I cope by following advice I have often received over the years to go jump in a lake.
I got off to a slow start with today’s puzzle but once I had established a foothold, the solve proceeded rapidly. This may be the work of X-Type who seems to have taken possession of the Monday slot.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.
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A veritable herd of Wildebeest today and I really enjoyed it. When we were heading across the plain with nyala and gnu’s, I was sure we were heading to the Serengeti.
Some quite tricky constructions have hit the cutting room floor, I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling. Zandio brought us some devious manipulation of Roman numerals in his Friday backpager, and a similar (unhinted) construction appears again.
5d and 18a share the second step on my podium, just below 15a – which did you like?
Lurkers and anagrams are largely unhinted, and I have hinted 6 across and 8 down of an even 28 clues today. I hope you find enough checkers to find the rest.
Here We Go…
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the heat, humidity, and smoke continue!
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada quirkily friendly – four long uns around the perimeter, six anagrams (two partials), two lurkers, and one homophone all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
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Toughie No 3516 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
My BRB had to work overtime today and the number of new terms for me made it hard work but all were fairly clued and there were some entertaining clues. Thanks to Sparks. I can’t spot a Nina – can you?
Continue reading “Toughie 3516”
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone., and welcome to Friday. Continue reading "DT 30982"
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This puzzle was published on 12th July 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A nice, lovely 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 30977 (Full Review)”