Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31267
Stuck on a clue in Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31267? Every clue is solved below with the definition, wordplay, and answer explained — plus hints for the tricks that catch most solvers out.
Across
1A — Rugby leader possibly could make her team sad (10) — HEADMASTER
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Definition
Definition found: 'Rugby leader' — The definition is the two words at the start — the head of a school, nothing to do with the sport.The definition is the two words at the start — the head of a school, nothing to do with the sport.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'possibly could make'A phrase like 'could make' often hints the nearby letters can be rearranged.
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Operation
'possibly could make' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'her team sad'
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Assembly
HERTEAMSAD = HEADMASTER
6A — Father Brown's somewhat sage? (4) — HERB
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Definition
Definition found: 'sage?' — A culinary plant like sage — that's what the clue is defining.A culinary plant like sage — that's what the clue is defining.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'somewhat''somewhat' is a classic flag that the answer is spelled out inside consecutive letters here.
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Operation
'somewhat' signals a hidden_word operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Father Brown's'
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Assembly
HERB = HERB
10A — Depression returned before adult left pub (5) — LOCAL
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Definition
Definition found: 'pub' — The definition is the last word — your neighbourhood drinking spot.The definition is the last word — your neighbourhood drinking spot.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'returned''returned' tells you the word just before it is read the other way round.
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Operation
'returned' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Depression'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Depression' → COLA mountain pass or dip in the hills — a short word for a depression.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'adult' → A
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'left' → L
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Assembly
(COL > LOC) + A + L = LOCAL
11A — Tries cutting actual practice (9) — REHEARSAL
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Definition
Definition found: 'practice' — The definition is the last word — a run-through before the real thing.The definition is the last word — a run-through before the real thing.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'cutting''cutting' suggests one word slices into another.
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Operation
'cutting' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Tries actual'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Tries' → HEARSThe courtroom verb goes inside.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'actual' → REALThe 'actual' word forms the shell.
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Assembly
REAL + HEARS = RE(HEARS)AL
12A — Loftiness relative regretted, on reflection (8) — GRANDEUR
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Definition
Definition found: 'Loftiness' — The definition is the first word — magnificence or splendour.The definition is the first word — magnificence or splendour.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'on reflection''on reflection' is a mirror — the word before it is read backwards.
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Operation
'on reflection' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'regretted,'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'relative' → GRANThe relative's pet name opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'regretted,' → RUEDA past-tense word for 'was sorry'.
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Assembly
GRAN + (RUED > DEUR) = GRANDEUR
13A — Strangely sordid play – every other character's stripped off (5) — ODDLY
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Definition
Definition found: 'Strangely' — The definition is the first word — meaning curiously or peculiarly.The definition is the first word — meaning curiously or peculiarly.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'every other character's stripped off''every other character' tells you to read alternate letters of the words just named.
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Operation
'every other character's stripped off' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'sordid play'
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Assembly
ODDLY = ODDLY
15A — A veto on academic impulsiveness (7) — ABANDON
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Definition
Definition found: 'impulsiveness' — The definition is the last word — acting on a reckless whim.The definition is the last word — acting on a reckless whim.
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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: 'A' → AStart with the letter taken from the clue.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'veto' → BAN
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'academic' → DON
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Assembly
A + BAN + DON = ABANDON
17A — Particular places I redeveloped (7) — SPECIAL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Particular' — The definition is the first word — meaning specific or distinctive.The definition is the first word — meaning specific or distinctive.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'redeveloped''redeveloped' is a building word that doubles as a signal to rearrange letters.
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Operation
'redeveloped' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'places I'
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Assembly
PLACESI = SPECIAL
19A — Archives including university yearbooks (7) — ANNUALS
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Definition
Definition found: 'yearbooks' — The definition is the last word — books published once a year.The definition is the last word — books published once a year.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'including''including' says one piece is held inside another.
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Operation
'including' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Archives university'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Archives' → ANNALSThe records word forms the shell.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'university' → UThe single letter slots inside.
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Assembly
ANNALS + U = ANN(U)ALS
21A — Drink at college for Barney (5-2) — PUNCH-UP
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Definition
Definition found: 'Barney' — The capital letter is a misdirection — 'Barney' is slang for a scrap or quarrel.The capital letter is a misdirection — 'Barney' is slang for a scrap or quarrel.
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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: 'Drink' → PUNCHThe party drink opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'at college' → UP'at college' lands on the end.
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Assembly
PUNCH + UP = PUNCH-UP
22A — Monkey ignoring first mistake (5) — ERROR
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Definition
Definition found: 'mistake' — The definition is the last word — a slip or blunder.The definition is the last word — a slip or blunder.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'ignoring first''ignoring first' tells you to drop the opening letter of the word it acts on.
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Operation
'ignoring first' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Monkey'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Monkey' → TERRORFind the word for a mischievous brat first.
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Assembly
TERROR - T = ERROR
24A — Quiet outrage after prisoner's plot (8) — CONSPIRE
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Definition
Definition found: 'plot' — The definition is the last word — to scheme together.The definition is the last word — to scheme together.
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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: 'Quiet' → PThe quiet marking comes next.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'outrage' → IREAnger finishes it.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'prisoner's' → CONSThe jailbirds open the answer.
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Assembly
P + IRE + CONS = CONSPIRE
27A — Found his table's broken (9) — ESTABLISH
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Definition
Definition found: 'Found' — The definition is the first word — to set up or found something.The definition is the first word — to set up or found something.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'broken''broken' is a classic signal that letters need rearranging.
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Operation
'broken' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'his table's'
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Assembly
HISTABLES = ESTABLISH
28A — Deliver prize (5) — UTTER
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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
UTTER = UTTER
29A — Rubbish old spades in the last shed (4) — TOSH
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Definition
Definition found: 'Rubbish' — The definition is the first word — nonsense or twaddle.The definition is the first word — nonsense or twaddle.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'in''in' marks an insertion — letters go inside another piece.
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Operation
'in' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'old spades the'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'last shed''last shed' tells you a word loses its final letter.
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Operation
'last shed' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'the'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'old' → O
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'spades' → S
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Assembly
TH + OS = T(OS)H
30A — Cold female inside inn, rudely shivering (10) — UNFRIENDLY
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Definition
Definition found: 'Cold' — The definition is the first word — here it means standoffish, not chilly.The definition is the first word — here it means standoffish, not chilly.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'inside''inside' marks where one letter is dropped into the rest.
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Operation
'inside' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'female inn, rudely shivering'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'shivering''shivering' is the signal that some letters are jumbled.
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Operation
'shivering' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'inn, rudely'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'female' → FThe single letter that drops inside.
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Assembly
F + (INNRUDELY > UNRIENDLY) = UN(F)RIENDLY
Down
1D — Healthy hot drink (4) — HALE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Healthy' — The definition is the first word — fit and well (as in 'hale and hearty').The definition is the first word — fit and well (as in 'hale and hearty').
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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: 'hot' → HSingle letter first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'drink' → ALEThe beer finishes it.
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Assembly
H + ALE = HALE
2D — Prove adult succeeded? Sure (9) — ASCERTAIN
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Definition
Definition found: 'Prove' — The definition is the first word — to make sure of, to verify.The definition is the first word — to make sure of, to verify.
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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: 'adult' → A
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'succeeded?' → S
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Sure' → CERTAINThe word for 'sure' completes it.
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Assembly
A + S + CERTAIN = ASCERTAIN
3D — Italian leader cut fruit (5) — MELON
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Definition
Definition found: 'fruit' — The definition is the last word.The definition is the last word.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'cut''cut' tells you to lop a letter off the end of the previous word.
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Operation
'cut' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Italian leader'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Italian leader' → MELONIStart from the Prime Minister's surname.
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Assembly
MELONI - I = MELON
4D — Rush over with lines, essentially, for someone in the theatre? (7) — SURGEON
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Definition
Definition found: 'someone in the theatre?' — The definition is the phrase at the end — 'theatre' means an operating room here.The definition is the phrase at the end — 'theatre' means an operating room here.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'essentially,''essentially' points at the very middle letter of the word before it.
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Operation
'essentially,' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'lines,'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Rush' → SURGEThe deluge opens the answer.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'over' → OThe cricket letter comes next.
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Assembly
SURGE + O + N = SURGEON
5D — Former lover put on garment with no top, generating urges (7) — EXHORTS
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Definition
Definition found: 'generating urges' — The definition is the phrase at the end — strongly encourages.The definition is the phrase at the end — strongly encourages.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'with no top,''with no top' means that garment loses its first letter.
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Operation
'with no top,' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'put on garment'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Former lover' → EXThe former partner opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'put on garment' → SHORTSFind the garment first.
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Assembly
EX + (SHORTS - S > HORTS) = EXHORTS
7D — Stamped addressed envelope turned up, editor's relieved (5) — EASED
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Definition
Definition found: 'relieved' — The definition is the last word — made less severe.The definition is the last word — made less severe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'turned up,'In a down clue, 'turned up' means the preceding piece is read upwards — reversed.
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Operation
'turned up,' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Stamped addressed envelope'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Stamped addressed envelope' → SAEStart from the envelope's initials.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'editor's' → EDThe editor's letters finish it.
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Assembly
(SAE > EAS) + ED = EASED
8D — Things you don't want in the pool? Spare tyre and turkeys (5,5) — BELLY FLOPS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Things you don't want in the pool?' — The definition is the whole opening question — clumsy dives nobody wants.The definition is the whole opening question — clumsy dives nobody wants.
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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: 'Spare tyre' → BELLYThe midriff word opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'turkeys' → FLOPSThe flops finish it.
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Assembly
BELLY + FLOPS = BELLY FLOPS
9D — Name a European – one short military commander (8) — NAPOLEON
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Definition
Definition found: 'military commander' — The definition is the phrase at the end — a famous general.The definition is the phrase at the end — a famous general.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'short''short' tells you the word for 'one' loses its last letter.
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Operation
'short' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'one'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Name' → N
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'a' → A
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'European' → POLEThe nationality comes next.
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Assembly
N + A + POLE + (ONE - E > ON) = NAPOLEON
14D — Chaps wearing magenta pants, running (10) — MANAGEMENT
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Definition
Definition found: 'running' — The definition is the last word — running a business, the people in charge.The definition is the last word — running a business, the people in charge.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'wearing''wearing' is a wrapping word — one piece goes inside another.
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Operation
'wearing' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Chaps magenta pants,'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'pants,'A cheeky anagram signal — letters in a muddle.
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Operation
'pants,' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'magenta'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Chaps' → MENThe word for fellows drops inside.
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Assembly
MEN + (MAGENTA > MANAGET) = MANAGE(MEN)T
16D — Support mounting with group's verbal attack (8) — DIATRIBE
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Definition
Definition found: 'verbal attack' — The definition is the two-word phrase at the end — a bitter tirade.The definition is the two-word phrase at the end — a bitter tirade.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'mounting'In a down clue, 'mounting' means the piece is read upwards — reversed.
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Operation
'mounting' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Support'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Support' → AIDFind the word for 'support' first.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'group's' → TRIBEThe clan word finishes it.
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Assembly
(AID > DIA) + TRIBE = DIATRIBE
18D — Came into the diner excited about second of dishes (9) — INHERITED
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Definition
Definition found: 'Came into' — The definition is the two words at the start — received by descent.The definition is the two words at the start — received by descent.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'excited''excited' signals the letters just named are jumbled.
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Operation
'excited' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'the diner'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'about''about' is a wrapping word — the jumble goes around another letter.
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Operation
'about' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'the diner second of dishes'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'second of''second of' points at the second letter of the word that follows.
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Operation
'second of' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'dishes'
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Assembly
(THEDINER > INHERTED) + I = INHER(I)TED
20D — Piece from religious order – something positive or negative? (7) — SECTION
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Definition
Definition found: 'Piece' — The definition is the first word — a part or segment.The definition is the first word — a part or segment.
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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: 'religious order' → SECTThe faction opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'something positive or negative?' → IONThe charged particle finishes it.
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Assembly
SECT + ION = SECTION
21D — Poacher perhaps on river, following the big cat (7) — PANTHER
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Definition
Definition found: 'big cat' — The definition is the two words at the end — a large wild feline.The definition is the two words at the end — a large wild feline.
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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: 'Poacher perhaps' → PANThe cookware opens the answer.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'river,' → RThe river letter finishes it.
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Assembly
PAN + R + THE = PANTHER
23D — Judges' fees (5) — RATES
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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
RATES = RATES
25D — Check Tom's feet, we're told? (5) — PAUSE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Check' — The definition is the first word — a brief halt.The definition is the first word — a brief halt.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'we're told?''we're told' flags a sound-alike — say the feet out loud.
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Operation
'we're told?' signals a homophone operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Tom's feet,'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Tom's feet,' → PAWSStart from the cat's feet.
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Assembly
PAWS = PAUSE
26D — Snoop around rear of stone quarry (4) — PREY
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Definition
Definition found: 'quarry' — The definition is the last word — a hunted animal, not a stone pit.The definition is the last word — a hunted animal, not a stone pit.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'around''around' is a wrapping word — one piece goes inside another.
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Operation
'around' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Snoop rear of stone'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'rear of''rear of' points at the last letter of the word that follows.
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Operation
'rear of' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'stone'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Snoop' → PRYThe snooping word forms the shell.
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Assembly
PRY + E = PR(E)Y