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

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Sign' — The definition is the first word — think zodiac.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'reportedly'
  • Operation
    'reportedly' signals a homophone operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Patty understands,'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Patty' → PIE
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'understands,' → SEES
  • Assembly
    PIE + SEES > PIESEES = PISCES

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5A — Bequest mature student rejected, content to leave country (6)LEGACY

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Bequest' — The definition is the first word — something handed down.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'rejected,'
  • Operation
    'rejected,' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'mature student'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'content to leave'
  • Operation
    'content to leave' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'country'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'mature' → AGE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'student' → L
  • Assembly
    (AGE + L > AGEL > LEGA) + CY = LEGACY

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10A — Theft from person of faith initially ignored (5)HEIST

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Theft' — The definition is the first word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'initially ignored'
  • Operation
    'initially ignored' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'person of faith'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'person of faith' → THEIST
  • Assembly
    THEIST - T = HEIST

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11A — Recommend limiting occasionally secret broadcast (9)ADVERTISE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'broadcast' — The definition is the last word — to make something widely known.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'limiting'
  • Operation
    'limiting' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Recommend secret'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'occasionally'
  • Operation
    'occasionally' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'secret'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Recommend' → ADVISE
  • Assembly
    ADVISE + ERT = ADV(ERT)ISE

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12A — Means of conveying what Clive strangely claims (7)VEHICLE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Means of conveying' — The definition is the first three words.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'strangely'
  • Operation
    'strangely' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Clive'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'claims'
  • Operation
    'claims' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'what Clive'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'what' → EH
  • Assembly
    VICLE + EH = V(EH)ICLE

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13A — Attempt to comprehend old work by Shakespeare? (7)TRAGEDY

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'work by Shakespeare?' — The definition is at the end — Hamlet or Macbeth, say. The '?' hints it's one kind among others.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'comprehend'
  • Operation
    'comprehend' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Attempt old'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Attempt' → TRY
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'old' → AGED
  • Assembly
    TRY + AGED = TR(AGED)Y

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14A — Large chain store's fashionable very quickly (4,1,4)LIKE A SHOT

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'very quickly' — The definition is the last two words.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'Large' → L
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'chain store's' → IKEAS
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'fashionable' → HOT
  • Assembly
    L + IKEAS + HOT = LIKE A SHOT

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17A — Terrier is able to grab bird essentially (5)CAIRN

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Terrier' — The definition is the first word — a small Scottish breed.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'grab'
  • Operation
    'grab' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'is able bird'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'essentially'
  • Operation
    'essentially' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'bird'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'is able' → CAN
  • Assembly
    CAN + IR = CA(IR)N

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18A — Members of band making comeback (5)PARTS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Members' — 'Members' here are portions or roles, not people.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'making comeback'
  • Operation
    'making comeback' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'band'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'band' → STRAP
  • Assembly
    STRAP = PARTS

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19A — Saying nothing, acquiring love for one showing rudeness (9)INSOLENCE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'showing rudeness' — The definition is the last two words — the answer is a display of bad manners.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'acquiring for'
  • Operation
    'acquiring for' signals a substitution operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Saying nothing, love one'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Saying nothing,' → INSILENCE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'love' → O
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'one' → I
  • Assembly
    INSILENCE - I + O = INSOLENCE

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21A — For sale, running shoes (7)LOAFERS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'shoes' — The definition is the last word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'running'
  • Operation
    'running' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'For sale,'
  • Assembly
    FORSALE = LOAFERS

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23A — Small iceberg off Labrador maybe? (7)GROWLER

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    GROWLER = GROWLER

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25A — State of vote to block income we transferred (3,6)NEW MEXICO

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'State' — The definition is the first word — think USA.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'block'
  • Operation
    'block' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'vote income we'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'transferred'
  • Operation
    'transferred' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'income we'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'vote' → X
  • Assembly
    NEWMEICO + X = NEWME(X)ICO

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26A — Legends from the east and from the west (5)SAGAS

  • 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.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Legends from the east and from the west' → SAGAS
  • Assembly
    SAGAS = SAGAS

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27A — Honour time allowed for payment (6)CREDIT

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    CREDIT = CREDIT

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28A — Newfangled craze sailors will follow (6)MODERN

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Newfangled' — The definition is the first word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'will follow'
  • Operation
    'will follow' signals a ordering operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'craze sailors'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'craze' → MODE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'sailors' → RN
  • Assembly
    MODE + RN = MODERN

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Down

2D — Type of coffee house originally with flag above (5)IRISH

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Type of coffee' — The definition is the first three words — a creamy after-dinner drink.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'originally'
  • Operation
    'originally' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'house'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'above'
  • Operation
    'above' signals a ordering operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'house flag'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'flag' → IRIS
  • Assembly
    H + IRIS = IRISH

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3D — Strong swimmers and Parisian pilot aboard vessels (9)CETACEANS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Strong swimmers' — The definition is the first two words — think whales and dolphins.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'aboard'
  • Operation
    'aboard' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'and Parisian pilot vessels'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'and Parisian' → ET
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'pilot' → ACE
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'vessels' → CANS
  • Assembly
    CANS + ETACE = C(ETACE)ANS

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4D — Avoid royal memoir (5)SPARE

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    SPARE = SPARE

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5D — Floats made from diverse tat I've left around (9)LEVITATES

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Floats' — The definition is the first word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'made from'
  • Operation
    'made from' signals a hidden_word operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'diverse tat I've left'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'around'
  • Operation
    'around' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'diverse tat I've left'
  • Assembly
    SETATIVEL = LEVITATES

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6D — Area south of climbing trail and Italian lake (5)GARDA

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Italian lake' — The definition is the last two words — a lake near Verona.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'south of'
  • Operation
    'south of' signals a ordering operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Area trail'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'climbing'
  • Operation
    'climbing' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'trail'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'Area' → A
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'trail' → DRAG
  • Assembly
    A + (DRAG > GARD) = GARDA

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7D — Rule one that's charged supports heartless creature (9)CRITERION

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Rule' — The definition is the first word — a standard to judge by.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'supports'
  • Operation
    'supports' signals a ordering operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'one that's charged creature'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'heartless'
  • Operation
    'heartless' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'creature'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'one that's charged' → ION
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'creature' → CRITTER
  • Assembly
    ION + (CRITTER - T > CRITER) = CRITERION

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8D — Tool shed, small at first (6)SHOVEL

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Tool' — The definition is the first word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'at first'
  • Operation
    'at first' signals a ordering operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'shed, small'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'shed,' → HOVEL
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'small' → S
  • Assembly
    HOVEL + S = SHOVEL

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9D — African singer visits king at intervals (6)KENYAN

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'African' — The definition is the first word — a nationality.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'visits'
  • Operation
    'visits' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'singer king'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'at intervals'
  • Operation
    'at intervals' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'king'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'singer' → ENYA
  • Assembly
    KN + ENYA = K(ENYA)N

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15D — Three-year conflict in chaotic work arena (6,3)KOREAN WAR

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Three-year conflict' — The definition is the first two words — a 1950s conflict that lasted exactly as long as it says.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'chaotic'
  • Operation
    'chaotic' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'work arena'
  • Assembly
    WORKARENA = KOREANWAR

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16D — According to Spooner, commiserate with secret affliction (4,5)HAIR SHIRT

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'secret affliction' — The definition is the last two words — a penitent's hidden discomfort, worn under the clothes.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'According to Spooner,'
  • Operation
    'According to Spooner,' signals a spoonerism operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'commiserate with'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'commiserate with' → SHAREHURT
  • Assembly
    SHAREHURT = HAIRSHIRT

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17D — Ring banker, day after having painful skin problem (9)CALLOUSED

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'having painful skin problem' — The definition is the last four words.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Ring' → CALL
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'banker,' → OUSE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'day' → D
  • Assembly
    CALL + OUSE + D = CALLOUSED

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18D — Fence becoming weaker (6)PALING

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    PALING = PALING

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20D — Go back missing motorway's fifth exit (6)EGRESS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'exit' — The definition is the last word — a formal way out.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'missing motorway's fifth'
  • Operation
    'missing motorway's fifth' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Go back'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Go back' → REGRESS
  • Assembly
    REGRESS - R = EGRESS

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22D — Correct pieces penned by journalist (5)EMEND

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Correct' — The definition is the first word — to fix a text.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'penned by'
  • Operation
    'penned by' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'pieces journalist'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'pieces' → MEN
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'journalist' → ED
  • Assembly
    ED + MEN = E(MEN)D

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23D — Man attending match in coach (5)GROOM

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    GROOM = GROOM

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24D — Knocked over royal tipple? (5)LAGER

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'tipple?' — The definition is the last word — a drink, with a '?' for the playful surface.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'Knocked over'
  • Operation
    'Knocked over' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'royal'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'royal' → REGAL
  • Assembly
    REGAL = LAGER

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