Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31264
Stuck on a clue in Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31264? Every clue is solved below with the definition, wordplay, and answer explained — plus hints for the tricks that catch most solvers out.
Across
1A — Sign Patty understands, reportedly (6) — PISCES
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Definition
Definition found: 'Sign' — The definition is the first word — think zodiac.The definition is the first word — think zodiac.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'reportedly''reportedly' says the wordplay works on sound, not spelling — say the pieces out loud.
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Operation
'reportedly' signals a homophone operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Patty understands,'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Patty' → PIEThe pastry word comes first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'understands,' → SEESThen the seeing word.
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Assembly
PIE + SEES > PIESEES = PISCES
5A — Bequest mature student rejected, content to leave country (6) — LEGACY
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Definition
Definition found: 'Bequest' — The definition is the first word — something handed down.The definition is the first word — something handed down.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'rejected,''rejected' sends the letters you've built so far backwards.
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Operation
'rejected,' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'mature student'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'content to leave'If a word's contents 'leave', all that stays behind is its outer shell.
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Operation
'content to leave' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'country'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'mature' → AGEStart with the maturing verb.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'student' → LAdd the student's letter.
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Assembly
(AGE + L > AGEL > LEGA) + CY = LEGACY
10A — Theft from person of faith initially ignored (5) — HEIST
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Definition
Definition found: 'Theft' — The definition is the first word.The definition is the first word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'initially ignored''initially ignored' tells you to drop the first letter of the word you've found.
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Operation
'initially ignored' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'person of faith'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'person of faith' → THEISTStart with the believer.
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Assembly
THEIST - T = HEIST
11A — Recommend limiting occasionally secret broadcast (9) — ADVERTISE
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Definition
Definition found: 'broadcast' — The definition is the last word — to make something widely known.The definition is the last word — to make something widely known.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'limiting''limiting' says one piece keeps the other held inside it.
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Operation
'limiting' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Recommend secret'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'occasionally''occasionally' picks out every other letter of the word that follows.
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Operation
'occasionally' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'secret'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Recommend' → ADVISEThe recommending word forms the outer shell.
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Assembly
ADVISE + ERT = ADV(ERT)ISE
12A — Means of conveying what Clive strangely claims (7) — VEHICLE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Means of conveying' — The definition is the first three words.The definition is the first three words.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'strangely'A word meaning 'oddly' or 'strangely' is usually a nudge to rearrange the letters next to it.
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Operation
'strangely' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Clive'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'claims''claims' — what you've jumbled takes possession of the other piece, wrapping around it.
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Operation
'claims' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'what Clive'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'what' → EHThe puzzled two-letter 'what?' goes inside.
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Assembly
VICLE + EH = V(EH)ICLE
13A — Attempt to comprehend old work by Shakespeare? (7) — TRAGEDY
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Definition
Definition found: 'work by Shakespeare?' — The definition is at the end — Hamlet or Macbeth, say. The '?' hints it's one kind among others.The definition is at the end — Hamlet or Macbeth, say. The '?' hints it's one kind among others.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'comprehend''comprehend' here means to take in — one word swallows the other.
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Operation
'comprehend' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Attempt old'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Attempt' → TRYThe attempting word forms the outer shell.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'old' → AGEDThe old word goes inside.
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Assembly
TRY + AGED = TR(AGED)Y
14A — Large chain store's fashionable very quickly (4,1,4) — LIKE A SHOT
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Definition
Definition found: 'very quickly' — The definition is the last two words.The definition is the last two words.
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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: 'Large' → LThe size letter first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'chain store's' → IKEASThen the store, apostrophe-s and all.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'fashionable' → HOTFinish with the fashionable word.
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Assembly
L + IKEAS + HOT = LIKE A SHOT
17A — Terrier is able to grab bird essentially (5) — CAIRN
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Definition
Definition found: 'Terrier' — The definition is the first word — a small Scottish breed.The definition is the first word — a small Scottish breed.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'grab''grab' — one piece takes hold of the other, wrapping round it.
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Operation
'grab' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'is able bird'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'essentially''essentially' points to the heart of the word — its middle letters.
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Operation
'essentially' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'bird'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'is able' → CANThe 'is able' word forms the outer shell.
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Assembly
CAN + IR = CA(IR)N
18A — Members of band making comeback (5) — PARTS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Members' — 'Members' here are portions or roles, not people.'Members' here are portions or roles, not people.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'making comeback''making comeback' sends the band's letters back the way they came.
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Operation
'making comeback' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'band'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'band' → STRAPStart with the fastening band.
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Assembly
STRAP = PARTS
19A — Saying nothing, acquiring love for one showing rudeness (9) — INSOLENCE
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Definition
Definition found: 'showing rudeness' — The definition is the last two words — the answer is a display of bad manners.The definition is the last two words — the answer is a display of bad manners.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'acquiring for''acquiring X for Y' means X comes in where Y was — one letter replaces another.
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Operation
'acquiring for' signals a substitution operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Saying nothing, love one'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Saying nothing,' → INSILENCEStart from the silent phrase, run together as one string.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'love' → OThe letter being acquired — it's going in.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'one' → IThe letter it stands in for — it's coming out.
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Assembly
INSILENCE - I + O = INSOLENCE
21A — For sale, running shoes (7) — LOAFERS
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Definition
Definition found: 'shoes' — The definition is the last word.The definition is the last word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'running'A word suggesting movement often means the letters next to it are on the move too.
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Operation
'running' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'For sale,'
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Assembly
FORSALE = LOAFERS
23A — Small iceberg off Labrador maybe? (7) — GROWLER
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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
GROWLER = GROWLER
25A — State of vote to block income we transferred (3,6) — NEW MEXICO
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Definition
Definition found: 'State' — The definition is the first word — think USA.The definition is the first word — think USA.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'block''block' — one piece gets in the way, sitting inside the others.
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Operation
'block' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'vote income we'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'transferred''transferred' suggests the letters of the previous words get moved about.
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Operation
'transferred' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'income we'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'vote' → XThe ballot-paper mark is what does the blocking.
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Assembly
NEWMEICO + X = NEWME(X)ICO
26A — Legends from the east and from the west (5) — SAGAS
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Definition
Definition found: '' — The whole clue is one playful definition: a word for legends that reads the same from the east (right-to-left) as from the west (left-to-right) — a palindrome.The whole clue is one playful definition: a word for legends that reads the same from the east (right-to-left) as from the west (left-to-right) — a palindrome.
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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: 'Legends from the east and from the west' → SAGASThink of Old Norse heroic tales — then check the word really does read the same both ways.
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Assembly
SAGAS = SAGAS
27A — Honour time allowed for payment (6) — CREDIT
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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
CREDIT = CREDIT
28A — Newfangled craze sailors will follow (6) — MODERN
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Definition
Definition found: 'Newfangled' — The definition is the first word.The definition is the first word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'will follow''will follow' tells you where the sailors go — straight after the craze.
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Operation
'will follow' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'craze sailors'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'craze' → MODEThe craze word first.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'sailors' → RNThe sailors follow.
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Assembly
MODE + RN = MODERN
Down
2D — Type of coffee house originally with flag above (5) — IRISH
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Definition
Definition found: 'Type of coffee' — The definition is the first three words — a creamy after-dinner drink.The definition is the first three words — a creamy after-dinner drink.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'originally''originally' points at a word's opening letter.
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Operation
'originally' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'house'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'above'In a down clue, 'above' tells you which piece sits on top.
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Operation
'above' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'house flag'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'flag' → IRISThe flower that's also a flag.
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Assembly
H + IRIS = IRISH
3D — Strong swimmers and Parisian pilot aboard vessels (9) — CETACEANS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Strong swimmers' — The definition is the first two words — think whales and dolphins.The definition is the first two words — think whales and dolphins.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'aboard''aboard' — these pieces travel inside the vessels.
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Operation
'aboard' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'and Parisian pilot vessels'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'and Parisian' → ETThe French 'and' boards first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'pilot' → ACEThe crack pilot boards next.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'vessels' → CANSThe pantry vessels form the outer shell.
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Assembly
CANS + ETACE = C(ETACE)ANS
4D — Avoid royal memoir (5) — SPARE
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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
SPARE = SPARE
5D — Floats made from diverse tat I've left around (9) — LEVITATES
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Definition
Definition found: 'Floats' — The definition is the first word.The definition is the first word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'made from''made from' says the answer is sitting inside the next few words — read straight through the gaps.
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Operation
'made from' signals a hidden_word operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'diverse tat I've left'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'around''around' turns what you found the other way.
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Operation
'around' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'diverse tat I've left'
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Assembly
SETATIVEL = LEVITATES
6D — Area south of climbing trail and Italian lake (5) — GARDA
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Definition
Definition found: 'Italian lake' — The definition is the last two words — a lake near Verona.The definition is the last two words — a lake near Verona.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'south of'In a down clue, 'south of' places one piece beneath the other.
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Operation
'south of' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Area trail'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'climbing'In a down clue, 'climbing' sends a word's letters upwards.
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Operation
'climbing' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'trail'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Area' → AThe area letter — hold it for now.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'trail' → DRAGThe trailing word.
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Assembly
A + (DRAG > GARD) = GARDA
7D — Rule one that's charged supports heartless creature (9) — CRITERION
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Definition
Definition found: 'Rule' — The definition is the first word — a standard to judge by.The definition is the first word — a standard to judge by.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'supports'In a down clue, 'supports' means this piece holds the other up from below.
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Operation
'supports' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'one that's charged creature'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'heartless''heartless' removes the very middle letter of the word you've found.
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Operation
'heartless' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'creature'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'one that's charged' → IONThe charged particle — it will do the supporting.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'creature' → CRITTERThe informal creature.
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Assembly
ION + (CRITTER - T > CRITER) = CRITERION
8D — Tool shed, small at first (6) — SHOVEL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Tool' — The definition is the first word.The definition is the first word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'at first''at first' tells you where the small letter goes — right at the front.
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Operation
'at first' signals a ordering operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'shed, small'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'shed,' → HOVELThe run-down hut.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'small' → SThe size letter.
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Assembly
HOVEL + S = SHOVEL
9D — African singer visits king at intervals (6) — KENYAN
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Definition
Definition found: 'African' — The definition is the first word — a nationality.The definition is the first word — a nationality.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'visits''visits' — the singer goes inside what's left of the king.
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Operation
'visits' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'singer king'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'at intervals''at intervals' picks out alternate letters of the word before it.
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Operation
'at intervals' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'king'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'singer' → ENYAThe singer pays her visit.
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Assembly
KN + ENYA = K(ENYA)N
15D — Three-year conflict in chaotic work arena (6,3) — KOREAN WAR
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Definition
Definition found: 'Three-year conflict' — The definition is the first two words — a 1950s conflict that lasted exactly as long as it says.The definition is the first two words — a 1950s conflict that lasted exactly as long as it says.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'chaotic'A word meaning disordered is a nudge to rearrange the letters that follow.
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Operation
'chaotic' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'work arena'
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Assembly
WORKARENA = KOREANWAR
16D — According to Spooner, commiserate with secret affliction (4,5) — HAIR SHIRT
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Definition
Definition found: 'secret affliction' — The definition is the last two words — a penitent's hidden discomfort, worn under the clothes.The definition is the last two words — a penitent's hidden discomfort, worn under the clothes.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'According to Spooner,'The Reverend Spooner famously swapped the opening sounds of word pairs — first find the two-word phrase to swap.
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Operation
'According to Spooner,' signals a spoonerism operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'commiserate with'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'commiserate with' → SHAREHURTThe sympathetic two-word phrase, run together.
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Assembly
SHAREHURT = HAIRSHIRT
17D — Ring banker, day after having painful skin problem (9) — CALLOUSED
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Definition
Definition found: 'having painful skin problem' — The definition is the last four words.The definition is the last four words.
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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: 'Ring' → CALLThe phone word first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'banker,' → OUSENot $'s, rivers have banks
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'day' → DThe day's letter brings up the rear.
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Assembly
CALL + OUSE + D = CALLOUSED
18D — Fence becoming weaker (6) — PALING
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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
PALING = PALING
20D — Go back missing motorway's fifth exit (6) — EGRESS
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Definition
Definition found: 'exit' — The definition is the last word — a formal way out.The definition is the last word — a formal way out.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'missing motorway's fifth''missing motorway's fifth' — count to the fifth letter of 'motorway'; that's the letter to remove.
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Operation
'missing motorway's fifth' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Go back'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Go back' → REGRESSStart with the going-back word.
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Assembly
REGRESS - R = EGRESS
22D — Correct pieces penned by journalist (5) — EMEND
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Definition
Definition found: 'Correct' — The definition is the first word — to fix a text.The definition is the first word — to fix a text.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'penned by''penned by' — the pieces are enclosed, as if in a pen.
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Operation
'penned by' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'pieces journalist'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'pieces' → MENThe chessmen go inside.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'journalist' → EDThe journalist forms the outer shell.
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Assembly
ED + MEN = E(MEN)D
23D — Man attending match in coach (5) — GROOM
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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
GROOM = GROOM
24D — Knocked over royal tipple? (5) — LAGER
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Definition
Definition found: 'tipple?' — The definition is the last word — a drink, with a '?' for the playful surface.The definition is the last word — a drink, with a '?' for the playful surface.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'Knocked over'In a down clue, 'knocked over' tips a word right upside down.
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Operation
'Knocked over' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'royal'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'royal' → REGALStart with the kingly word.
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Assembly
REGAL = LAGER