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

  • 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.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'possibly could make'
  • Operation
    'possibly could make' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'her team sad'
  • Assembly
    HERTEAMSAD = HEADMASTER

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6A — Father Brown's somewhat sage? (4)HERB

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'sage?' — A culinary plant like sage — that's what the clue is defining.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'somewhat'
  • Operation
    'somewhat' signals a hidden_word operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Father Brown's'
  • Assembly
    HERB = HERB

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10A — Depression returned before adult left pub (5)LOCAL

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'pub' — The definition is the last word — your neighbourhood drinking spot.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'returned'
  • Operation
    'returned' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Depression'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Depression' → COL
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'adult' → A
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'left' → L
  • Assembly
    (COL > LOC) + A + L = LOCAL

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11A — Tries cutting actual practice (9)REHEARSAL

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'practice' — The definition is the last word — a run-through before the real thing.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'cutting'
  • Operation
    'cutting' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Tries actual'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Tries' → HEARS
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'actual' → REAL
  • Assembly
    REAL + HEARS = RE(HEARS)AL

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12A — Loftiness relative regretted, on reflection (8)GRANDEUR

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Loftiness' — The definition is the first word — magnificence or splendour.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'on reflection'
  • Operation
    'on reflection' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'regretted,'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'relative' → GRAN
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'regretted,' → RUED
  • Assembly
    GRAN + (RUED > DEUR) = GRANDEUR

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13A — Strangely sordid play – every other character's stripped off (5)ODDLY

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Strangely' — The definition is the first word — meaning curiously or peculiarly.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'every other character's stripped off'
  • Operation
    'every other character's stripped off' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'sordid play'
  • Assembly
    ODDLY = ODDLY

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15A — A veto on academic impulsiveness (7)ABANDON

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'impulsiveness' — The definition is the last word — acting on a reckless whim.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'A' → A
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'veto' → BAN
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'academic' → DON
  • Assembly
    A + BAN + DON = ABANDON

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17A — Particular places I redeveloped (7)SPECIAL

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Particular' — The definition is the first word — meaning specific or distinctive.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'redeveloped'
  • Operation
    'redeveloped' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'places I'
  • Assembly
    PLACESI = SPECIAL

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19A — Archives including university yearbooks (7)ANNUALS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'yearbooks' — The definition is the last word — books published once a year.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'including'
  • Operation
    'including' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Archives university'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Archives' → ANNALS
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'university' → U
  • Assembly
    ANNALS + U = ANN(U)ALS

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21A — Drink at college for Barney (5-2)PUNCH-UP

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Barney' — The capital letter is a misdirection — 'Barney' is slang for a scrap or quarrel.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Drink' → PUNCH
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'at college' → UP
  • Assembly
    PUNCH + UP = PUNCH-UP

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22A — Monkey ignoring first mistake (5)ERROR

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'mistake' — The definition is the last word — a slip or blunder.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'ignoring first'
  • Operation
    'ignoring first' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Monkey'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Monkey' → TERROR
  • Assembly
    TERROR - T = ERROR

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24A — Quiet outrage after prisoner's plot (8)CONSPIRE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'plot' — The definition is the last word — to scheme together.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'Quiet' → P
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'outrage' → IRE
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'prisoner's' → CONS
  • Assembly
    P + IRE + CONS = CONSPIRE

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27A — Found his table's broken (9)ESTABLISH

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Found' — The definition is the first word — to set up or found something.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'broken'
  • Operation
    'broken' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'his table's'
  • Assembly
    HISTABLES = ESTABLISH

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28A — Deliver prize (5)UTTER

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    UTTER = UTTER

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29A — Rubbish old spades in the last shed (4)TOSH

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Rubbish' — The definition is the first word — nonsense or twaddle.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'in'
  • Operation
    'in' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'old spades the'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'last shed'
  • Operation
    'last shed' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'the'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'old' → O
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'spades' → S
  • Assembly
    TH + OS = T(OS)H

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30A — Cold female inside inn, rudely shivering (10)UNFRIENDLY

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Cold' — The definition is the first word — here it means standoffish, not chilly.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'inside'
  • Operation
    'inside' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'female inn, rudely shivering'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'shivering'
  • Operation
    'shivering' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'inn, rudely'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'female' → F
  • Assembly
    F + (INNRUDELY > UNRIENDLY) = UN(F)RIENDLY

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Down

1D — Healthy hot drink (4)HALE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Healthy' — The definition is the first word — fit and well (as in 'hale and hearty').
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'hot' → H
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'drink' → ALE
  • Assembly
    H + ALE = HALE

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2D — Prove adult succeeded? Sure (9)ASCERTAIN

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Prove' — The definition is the first word — to make sure of, to verify.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'adult' → A
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'succeeded?' → S
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Sure' → CERTAIN
  • Assembly
    A + S + CERTAIN = ASCERTAIN

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3D — Italian leader cut fruit (5)MELON

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'fruit' — The definition is the last word.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'cut'
  • Operation
    'cut' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Italian leader'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Italian leader' → MELONI
  • Assembly
    MELONI - I = MELON

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4D — Rush over with lines, essentially, for someone in the theatre? (7)SURGEON

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'someone in the theatre?' — The definition is the phrase at the end — 'theatre' means an operating room here.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'essentially,'
  • Operation
    'essentially,' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'lines,'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Rush' → SURGE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'over' → O
  • Assembly
    SURGE + O + N = SURGEON

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5D — Former lover put on garment with no top, generating urges (7)EXHORTS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'generating urges' — The definition is the phrase at the end — strongly encourages.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'with no top,'
  • Operation
    'with no top,' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'put on garment'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Former lover' → EX
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'put on garment' → SHORTS
  • Assembly
    EX + (SHORTS - S > HORTS) = EXHORTS

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7D — Stamped addressed envelope turned up, editor's relieved (5)EASED

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'relieved' — The definition is the last word — made less severe.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'turned up,'
  • Operation
    'turned up,' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Stamped addressed envelope'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'Stamped addressed envelope' → SAE
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'editor's' → ED
  • Assembly
    (SAE > EAS) + ED = EASED

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8D — Things you don't want in the pool? Spare tyre and turkeys (5,5)BELLY FLOPS

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Things you don't want in the pool?' — The definition is the whole opening question — clumsy dives nobody wants.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Spare tyre' → BELLY
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'turkeys' → FLOPS
  • Assembly
    BELLY + FLOPS = BELLY FLOPS

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9D — Name a European – one short military commander (8)NAPOLEON

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'military commander' — The definition is the phrase at the end — a famous general.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'short'
  • Operation
    'short' signals a deletion operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'one'
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'Name' → N
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'a' → A
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'European' → POLE
  • Assembly
    N + A + POLE + (ONE - E > ON) = NAPOLEON

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14D — Chaps wearing magenta pants, running (10)MANAGEMENT

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'running' — The definition is the last word — running a business, the people in charge.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'wearing'
  • Operation
    'wearing' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Chaps magenta pants,'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'pants,'
  • Operation
    'pants,' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'magenta'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Chaps' → MEN
  • Assembly
    MEN + (MAGENTA > MANAGET) = MANAGE(MEN)T

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16D — Support mounting with group's verbal attack (8)DIATRIBE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'verbal attack' — The definition is the two-word phrase at the end — a bitter tirade.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'mounting'
  • Operation
    'mounting' signals a reversal operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Support'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Support' → AID
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'group's' → TRIBE
  • Assembly
    (AID > DIA) + TRIBE = DIATRIBE

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18D — Came into the diner excited about second of dishes (9)INHERITED

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Came into' — The definition is the two words at the start — received by descent.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'excited'
  • Operation
    'excited' signals a anagram operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'the diner'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'about'
  • Operation
    'about' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'the diner second of dishes'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'second of'
  • Operation
    'second of' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'dishes'
  • Assembly
    (THEDINER > INHERTED) + I = INHER(I)TED

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20D — Piece from religious order – something positive or negative? (7)SECTION

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Piece' — The definition is the first word — a part or segment.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'religious order' → SECT
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'something positive or negative?' → ION
  • Assembly
    SECT + ION = SECTION

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21D — Poacher perhaps on river, following the big cat (7)PANTHER

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'big cat' — The definition is the two words at the end — a large wild feline.
  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Charade
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Poacher perhaps' → PAN
  • Abbreviation
    Abbreviations spotted: 'river,' → R
  • Assembly
    PAN + R + THE = PANTHER

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23D — Judges' fees (5)RATES

  • Wordplay
    Wordplay: Double definition
  • Assembly
    RATES = RATES

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25D — Check Tom's feet, we're told? (5)PAUSE

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'Check' — The definition is the first word — a brief halt.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'we're told?'
  • Operation
    'we're told?' signals a homophone operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Tom's feet,'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Tom's feet,' → PAWS
  • Assembly
    PAWS = PAUSE

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26D — Snoop around rear of stone quarry (4)PREY

  • Definition
    Definition found: 'quarry' — The definition is the last word — a hunted animal, not a stone pit.
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'around'
  • Operation
    'around' signals a container operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'Snoop rear of stone'
  • Indicator
    Indicator found: 'rear of'
  • Operation
    'rear of' signals a letter_selection operation
  • Fodder
    Fodder: 'stone'
  • Synonym
    Synonyms spotted: 'Snoop' → PRY
  • Assembly
    PRY + E = PR(E)Y

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