Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31262
Stuck on a clue in Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31262? Every clue is solved below with the definition, wordplay, and answer explained — plus hints for the tricks that catch most solvers out.
Across
1A — A Bovril, if stirred, source of nutritious vitamin (10) — RIBOFLAVIN
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Definition
Definition found: 'vitamin' — The definition is the last word — a B-group nutrient.The definition is the last word — a B-group nutrient.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'stirred,''stirred' tells you the gathered letters need rebuilding.
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Operation
'stirred,' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'A Bovril, if nutritious'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'source of''source of' points at the opening letter of the word after it.
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Operation
'source of' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'nutritious'
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Assembly
A + BOVRIL + IF + N > ABOVRILIFN = RIBOFLAVIN
6A — Reptile starts to chew really old carrion (4) — CROC
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Definition
Definition found: 'Reptile' — The definition is the first word — short for a snappy river-dweller.The definition is the first word — short for a snappy river-dweller.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'starts to''starts to' points at the opening letter of each word that follows.
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Operation
'starts to' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'chew really old carrion'
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Assembly
CROC = CROC
9A — Tempt banks about wealth (5) — LUCRE
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Definition
Definition found: 'wealth' — The definition is the last word — money, often the 'filthy' kind.The definition is the last word — money, often the 'filthy' kind.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'banks''banks' tells you the outer word holds a letter inside.
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Operation
'banks' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Tempt about'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Tempt' → LURE'Tempt' points at a four-letter word for enticing.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'about' → C'about' as in approximately — the 'circa' abbreviation.
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Assembly
LURE + C = LU(C)RE
10A — Park warden discussed plant (9) — HYDRANGEA
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Definition
Definition found: 'plant' — The definition is the last word — a flowering shrub.The definition is the last word — a flowering shrub.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'discussed''discussed' tells you to write what the pieces sound like, not how they're spelled.
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Operation
'discussed' signals a homophone operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Park warden'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Park' → HYDEA famous London 'Park'.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'warden' → RANGERA 'warden' of open country.
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Assembly
HYDE + RANGER > HYDERANGER = HYDRANGEA
12A — Silly act with balancer? I'm one getting the hump (8,5) — BACTRIAN CAMEL
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Definition
Definition found: 'one getting the hump' — The definition is the tail — a two-humped beast literally 'gets the hump'.The definition is the tail — a two-humped beast literally 'gets the hump'.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'Silly''Silly' tells you the gathered letters need rearranging.
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Operation
'Silly' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'act balancer? I'm'
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Assembly
ACT + BALANCER + IM > ACTBALANCERIM = BACTRIANCAMEL
14A — Famous college backed legal action – there's money in it (8) — NOTECASE
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Definition
Definition found: 'there's money in it' — The definition is the closing phrase — a wallet holds this.The definition is the closing phrase — a wallet holds this.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'backed''backed' tells you to read the previous piece the other way round.
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Operation
'backed' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Famous college'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Famous college' → ETON'Famous college' beside the Thames at Windsor.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'legal action' → CASE'legal action' brought before a court — four letters.
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Assembly
(ETON > NOTE) + CASE = NOTECASE
15A — Area Mafia boss is a good-looking lad (6) — ADONIS
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Definition
Definition found: 'a good-looking lad' — The definition is the tail — a strikingly handsome young man.The definition is the tail — a strikingly handsome young man.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: CharadeNo indicator words here — the parts just join end to end. That's a charade.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Area' → A'Area' shortens to a single stock letter.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Mafia boss' → DONA 'Mafia boss' is known by this three-letter title.
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Assembly
A + DON + IS = ADONIS
17A — Dog star? (6) — LASSIE
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Definition
The whole clue is one cryptic definition — read it laterally.Read the whole clue as one playful image — a celebrated screen canine.
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Indicator
Indicator found: ''No indicator words — a cryptic definition has no wordplay split, just a playful read of the whole clue.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: Cryptic definitionThe whole clue acts as one playful definition, no wordplay parts to break out.
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Assembly
LASSIE = LASSIE
19A — Leg breaking ordeal tormented Italian genius (8) — LEONARDO
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Definition
Definition found: 'Italian genius' — The definition is the closing pair — a Renaissance polymath.The definition is the closing pair — a Renaissance polymath.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'breaking tormented''tormented' tells you the gathered letters need reshaping.
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Operation
'breaking tormented' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Leg ordeal'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Leg' → ONIn cricket, the 'leg' side is also known by this two-letter word.
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Assembly
ON + ORDEAL > ONORDEAL = LEONARDO
21A — 10 points: actor turning to phrase from Treasure Island (1,5,3,4) — X MARKS THE SPOT
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Definition
Definition found: 'phrase from Treasure Island' — The definition is the tail — the cry that finds buried treasure.The definition is the tail — the cry that finds buried treasure.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'turning''turning' tells you to read the next little word the other way round.
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Operation
'turning' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'to'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: '10' → XWrite '10' as a Roman numeral.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'points:' → MARKS'points' you score in an exam — five letters.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'actor' → THESPAn 'actor', informally — short for thespian.
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Assembly
X + MARKS + THESP + (> TO > OT) = X MARKS THE SPOT
24A — Call tug "Campanile" (4,5) — BELL TOWER
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Definition
Definition found: '"Campanile"' — The definition is the last word — Italian for a free-standing bell structure.The definition is the last word — Italian for a free-standing bell structure.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: CharadeNo indicator words here — the parts just join end to end. That's a charade.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Call' → BELLTo 'Call' someone can be to ring this for them.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'tug' → TOWERA boat that pulls others is a tug — and one who tows is this.
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Assembly
BELL + TOWER = BELL TOWER
25A — Doorman when undressed is a unit (5) — OUNCE
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Definition
Definition found: 'a unit' — The definition is the closing pair — a small measure of weight.The definition is the closing pair — a small measure of weight.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'when undressed''when undressed' strips the outer letters, leaving the middle.
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Operation
'when undressed' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Doorman'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Doorman' → BOUNCERA 'Doorman' at a club is also known by this seven-letter word.
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Assembly
BOUNCER = OUNCE
26A — Noble, tragic king left at the back (4) — EARL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Noble,' — The definition is the first word — a rank of the peerage.The definition is the first word — a rank of the peerage.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'left at the back'The instruction moves a particular letter to the end of the word.
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Operation
'left at the back' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'tragic king'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'tragic king' → LEARShakespeare's 'tragic king'.
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Assembly
LEAR = EARL
27A — Farewell greatest hits album? (3,3,4) — ALL THE BEST
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Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definitionTwo side-by-side definitions of the answer. No wordplay split — just spot that both halves define the same word.
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Assembly
ALLTHEBEST = ALL THE BEST
Down
1D — Expensive watch missing last part (4) — ROLE
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Definition
Definition found: 'part' — The definition is the last word — an actor's part.The definition is the last word — an actor's part.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'missing last''missing last' tells you to drop the final letter of the word built so far.
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Operation
'missing last' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Expensive watch'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Expensive watch' → ROLEX'Expensive watch' points at the famous Swiss luxury brand.
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Assembly
ROLEX - X = ROLE
2D — Talked spitefully about support section (7) — BACKBIT
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Definition
Definition found: 'Talked spitefully' — The definition is the opening pair — spoke maliciously of someone absent.The definition is the opening pair — spoke maliciously of someone absent.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: CharadeNo indicator words here — the parts just join end to end. That's a charade.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'support' → BACK'support' points at a four-letter word for backing someone.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'section' → BIT'section' points at a small three-letter piece.
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Assembly
BACK + BIT = BACKBIT
3D — Continental insect – leg protection is essential here (6,7) — FRENCH CRICKET
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Definition
Definition found: 'leg protection is essential here' — The definition is the back half — a garden game where you guard your legs.The definition is the back half — a garden game where you guard your legs.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: CharadeNo indicator words here — the parts just join end to end. That's a charade.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Continental' → FRENCH'Continental' often means of one particular European nation.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'insect' → CRICKET'insect' points at a chirping one — also the name of a sport.
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Assembly
FRENCH + CRICKET = FRENCH CRICKET
4D — Saw leaders in Home Office grabbed by a solid figure (8) — APHORISM
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Definition
Definition found: 'Saw' — The definition is the first word — a pithy saying, not a tool.The definition is the first word — a pithy saying, not a tool.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'leaders in''leaders in' points at the opening letters of the words that follow.
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Operation
'leaders in' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Home Office'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'grabbed by''grabbed by' tells you those initials are taken inside another piece.
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Operation
'grabbed by' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'leaders in Home Office solid figure'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'solid figure' → PRISM'a solid figure' points at a five-sided geometric solid.
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Assembly
(PRISM + HO > P(HO)RISM) + A = APHORISM
5D — Test side batting: 501 latest from Kolkata (5) — INDIA
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Definition
Definition found: 'Test side' — The definition is the opening pair — a national cricket team.The definition is the opening pair — a national cricket team.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'latest from''latest from' points at the very last letter of the word after it.
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Operation
'latest from' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Kolkata'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'batting:' → INIn cricket, the side 'batting' is the side that's this two-letter word.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: '501' → DIRead 501 as Roman numerals — five hundred then one.
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Assembly
IN + DI + A = INDIA
7D — Government plane, MiG, erratically circles about (7) — REGIMEN
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Definition
Definition found: 'Government' — The definition is the first word — a system or order of rule.The definition is the first word — a system or order of rule.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'erratically''erratically' tells you the gathered letters need rebuilding.
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Operation
'erratically' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'MiG, circles about'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'circles about' → ERNEWhat soars in rings overhead — a four-letter sea eagle.
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Assembly
MIG + ERNE > MIGERNE = REGIMEN
8D — The King put on a lot of weight in US city (10) — CHARLESTON
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Definition
Definition found: 'US city' — The definition is the closing pair — a city in South Carolina.The definition is the closing pair — a city in South Carolina.
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Wordplay
Wordplay: CharadeNo indicator words here — the parts just join end to end. That's a charade.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'The King' → CHARLES'The King' currently on the throne — his given name.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'a lot of weight' → TON'a lot of weight' is a stock three-letter heavy measure.
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Assembly
CHARLES + TON = CHARLESTON
11D — Clumsy Geordie perhaps collecting papers lying on the floor (8-5) — ACCIDENT-PRONE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Clumsy' — The definition is the first word — forever having little mishaps.The definition is the first word — forever having little mishaps.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'collecting''collecting' tells you the outer word takes another piece inside.
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Operation
'collecting' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Geordie perhaps papers'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Geordie perhaps' → ACCENTA 'Geordie' is one example ('perhaps') of a regional way of speaking.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'papers' → ID'papers' you carry to prove who you are — two letters.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'lying on the floor' → PRONE'lying on the floor' face-down — a five-letter word.
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Assembly
(ACCENT + ID > ACC(ID)ENT) + PRONE = ACCIDENT-PRONE
13D — Rigid line FBI applied around law (10) — INFLEXIBLE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Rigid' — The definition is the first word — unbending.The definition is the first word — unbending.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'applied''applied' tells you the gathered letters are reshaped.
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Operation
'applied' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'line FBI'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'around'
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Operation
'around' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'line FBI law'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'law' → LEX'law' in Latin — three letters.
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Assembly
INFIBLE + LEX = INF(LEX)IBLE
16D — We arrest suspect Tube pest (5,3) — SEWER RAT
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Definition
Definition found: 'Tube pest' — The definition is the closing pair — a rodent of the underground drains.The definition is the closing pair — a rodent of the underground drains.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'suspect''suspect' tells you the letters before it are not to be trusted in their order.
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Operation
'suspect' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'We arrest'
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Assembly
WE + ARREST > WEARREST = SEWERRAT
18D — Ryman's first to carry main item of office equipment (7) — STAPLER
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Definition
Definition found: 'item of office equipment' — The definition is the tail — a desktop fastener.The definition is the tail — a desktop fastener.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'first''first' points at the opening letter of the word before it.
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Operation
'first' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Ryman's'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'main' → STAPLE'main' as in a principal, standard thing — six letters.
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Assembly
R + STAPLE = STAPLER
20D — Engineers can uncouple empty train (7) — RETINUE
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Definition
Definition found: 'train' — The definition is the last word — a following of attendants.The definition is the last word — a following of attendants.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'empty''empty' keeps only the outer letters of the word, the middle gone.
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Operation
'empty' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'uncouple'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Engineers' → RE'Engineers' in the army shorten to two letters (Royal ___).
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'can' → TINA 'can' is a three-letter metal container.
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Assembly
RE + TIN + UE = RETINUE
22D — Absorbent cloth – keep changing hands (5) — TOWEL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Absorbent cloth' — The definition is the opening pair — what you dry off with.The definition is the opening pair — what you dry off with.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'changing''changing' tells you one letter is swapped for another.
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Operation
'changing' signals a substitution operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'keep hands'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'keep' → TOWERA castle 'keep' is one of these tall structures.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'hands' → LSwap the right hand's letter for the left hand's — left is this one letter.
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Assembly
TOWER - R + L = TOWEL
23D — Exploit European article in newspaper (4) — FEAT
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Definition
Definition found: 'Exploit' — The definition is the first word — a notable achievement.The definition is the first word — a notable achievement.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'in''in' tells you the short letters sit inside another piece.
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Operation
'in' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'European article newspaper'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'European' → E'European' shrinks to one stock letter.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'article' → AAn 'article' in grammar can be the single letter A.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'newspaper' → FTA pink financial 'newspaper' in two letters.
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Assembly
FT + EA = F(EA)T