Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31273
Stuck on a clue in Daily Telegraph Cryptic 31273? Every clue is solved below with the definition, wordplay, and answer explained — plus hints for the tricks that catch most solvers out.
Across
1A — Hugs daughter twice, gripped by cryptic clues (7) — CUDDLES
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Definition
Definition found: 'Hugs' — The straight definition sits at one end — here a plain word for warm embraces.The straight definition sits at one end — here a plain word for warm embraces.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'gripped by'A phrase like 'gripped by' tells you one piece is tucked inside another.
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Operation
'gripped by' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'daughter twice, cryptic clues'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'cryptic'A word suggesting things are scrambled or puzzling can be a nudge to rearrange the letters beside it.
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Operation
'cryptic' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'clues'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'daughter twice,' → DDA single relation-tag, taken twice, gives the short piece that drops inside.
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Assembly
CULES + DD = CU(DD)LES
5A — Birds out of one's tree and beginning to sing (7) — CUCKOOS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Birds' — The straight definition is a single word at one end naming what the answer is.The straight definition is a single word at one end naming what the answer is.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'beginning to''beginning to' is a steer to take the very first letter of the word that follows.
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Operation
'beginning to' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'sing'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'out of one's tree' → CUCKOOA phrase meaning 'crazy' gives a word that is also a bird — read the clue as a recipe and start with that piece.
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Assembly
CUCKOO + S = CUCKOOS
9A — Orca once nearly digested black-striped mammal (7) — RACCOON
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Definition
Definition found: 'black-striped mammal' — The straight definition sits at one end — the last two words name a creature; the rest is the recipe.The straight definition sits at one end — the last two words name a creature; the rest is the recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'nearly'A word meaning 'almost' is often a steer to drop the final letter from the word beside it.
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Operation
'nearly' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'once'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'digested'A word about eating or breaking down can be a nudge to rearrange the letters gathered so far.
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Operation
'digested' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Orca once'
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Assembly
ORCA + (ONCE - E > ONC) > ORCAONC = RACCOON
10A — Rubbish fossil fuels recommendation? (7) — USELESS
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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
USELESS = USELESS
11A — Blooming depressed, cutting finger badly (9) — FLOWERING
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Definition
Definition found: 'Blooming' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — the other end is the wordplay recipe.The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — the other end is the wordplay recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'badly'A word meaning 'in a mess' or 'wrongly' beside a short word is often a nudge to rearrange that word's letters.
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Operation
'badly' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'finger'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'cutting'A word like 'cutting' between two pieces can mean one piece is slotted right into the other.
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Operation
'cutting' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'depressed, finger'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'depressed,' → LOWA word for being down or dejected gives the short piece that gets tucked inside.
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Assembly
FERING + LOW = F(LOW)ERING
12A — Drinks with English guy (5) — TEASE
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Definition
Definition found: 'guy' — The straight definition sits at one end. Here a short verb meaning 'to mock or rib someone' lurks at the very end.The straight definition sits at one end. Here a short verb meaning 'to mock or rib someone' lurks at the very end.
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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: 'Drinks' → TEASRead the clue as a recipe and join the pieces left to right; start with the drinks.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'English' → ETack the nationality letter on the end to finish the answer.
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Assembly
TEAS + E = TEASE
13A — Someone who didn't win partly deplores Olympics, on reflection (5) — LOSER
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Definition
Definition found: 'Someone who didn't win' — The definition sits at one end — here a phrase describing the answer opens the clue.The definition sits at one end — here a phrase describing the answer opens the clue.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'partly'A word like 'partly' often means the answer is spelled out inside the run of letters next to it.
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Operation
'partly' signals a hidden_word operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'deplores Olympics,'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'on reflection''on reflection' is a steer to read the concealed letters the other way round.
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Operation
'on reflection' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'deplores Olympics,'
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Assembly
RESOL = LOSER
15A — International rock concert including Queen? Wrong (9) — INCORRECT
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Definition
Definition found: 'Wrong' — A single word at one end gives a plain synonym for the answer; the other end is the recipe.A single word at one end gives a plain synonym for the answer; the other end is the recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'rock'A word suggesting music or upheaval can be a nudge to jumble the letters beside it.
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Operation
'rock' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'concert Queen?'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'International' → IRead the recipe left to right — this short tag leads the answer.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Queen?' → RThe monarch's one-letter tag joins the pile of letters to be jumbled.
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Assembly
I + (CONCERT + R > CONCERTR > NCORRECT) = INCORRECT
17A — Plant shoot in good condition (9) — SPEEDWELL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Plant' — A straight definition sits at one end of the clue, never the middle. Which single word names a thing the answer could be?A straight definition sits at one end of the clue, never the middle. Which single word names a thing the answer could be?
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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: 'shoot' → SPEEDRead the clue as a recipe and join the pieces left to right. The first chunk is a verb for rushing along.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'in good condition' → WELLThe closing phrase is a single word meaning in good health.
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Assembly
SPEED + WELL = SPEEDWELL
19A — Dismisses trousers lacking length (5) — SACKS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Dismisses' — The first word reads as a plain synonym for the answer; the rest is the recipe.The first word reads as a plain synonym for the answer; the rest is the recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'lacking'A word like 'lacking' or 'without' usually tells you to drop a letter from a word.
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Operation
'lacking' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'trousers length'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'trousers' → SLACKSStart from the full word before anything is removed.
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Assembly
SLACKS - L = SACKS
22A — Sign of nerves about work issue (5) — TOPIC
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Definition
Definition found: 'issue' — The straight definition sits at one end — here it's the single word naming a subject or matter under discussion.The straight definition sits at one end — here it's the single word naming a subject or matter under discussion.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'about'A word like 'about' between two pieces often means one is wrapped around the other.
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Operation
'about' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Sign of nerves work'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Sign of nerves' → TICBuild the outer shell first — the word for a nervous twitch.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'work' → OPThen the short piece that drops inside it.
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Assembly
TIC + OP = T(OP)IC
23A — Bert returns holding minute fish, shaking (9) — TREMBLING
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Definition
Definition found: 'shaking' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — look for the single word that simply means the answer.The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — look for the single word that simply means the answer.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'returns'A word like 'returns' or 'going back' tells you to read the letters of a nearby word the other way.
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Operation
'returns' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Bert'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'holding'A word like 'holding' or 'around' means one piece is tucked inside another.
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Operation
'holding' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Bert minute'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'minute' → MThe short time-tag is the piece that gets wrapped inside.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'fish,' → LINGOnce the wrapped piece is built, the fish joins on the end to complete the answer.
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Assembly
(TREB + M > TRE(M)B) + LING = TREMBLING
25A — Learner driver panics avoiding wide vehicles (7) — LORRIES
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Definition
Definition found: 'vehicles' — A plain synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which end simply names what's being defined?A plain synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which end simply names what's being defined?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'avoiding'A word meaning 'leaving out' or 'shedding' is a steer to drop a letter from a nearby word.
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Operation
'avoiding' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'panics wide'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Learner driver' → LThe very first thing you write is the single letter a learner shows when driving.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'panics' → WORRIESBegin from the whole synonym before anything is removed.
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Assembly
L + (WORRIES - W > ORRIES) = LORRIES
26A — Proclaim President Macron finally leaves hospital department (7) — TRUMPET
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Definition
Definition found: 'Proclaim' — The straight definition sits at one end — read both ends and ask which is a plain verb that means the same as the answer.The straight definition sits at one end — read both ends and ask which is a plain verb that means the same as the answer.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'finally leaves'When one named letter 'leaves' a word, that's a steer to drop it; here the letter to remove is signposted by 'finally'.
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Operation
'finally leaves' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'hospital department'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'President' → TRUMPRead the clue as a recipe — this first chunk opens the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'hospital department' → ENTBuild the clinic department in full before anything is taken out of it.
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Assembly
TRUMP + (ENT - N > ET) = TRUMPET
27A — Unusual street name in fashion (7) — STRANGE
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Definition
Definition found: 'Unusual' — The straight definition is a single word at one end, never the middle. Which end reads as a plain synonym for the answer?The straight definition is a single word at one end, never the middle. Which end reads as a plain synonym for the answer?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'in'A short word between two pieces can mean one of them is tucked inside the other.
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Operation
'in' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'name fashion'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'street' → STRead the clue as a recipe — this short tag opens the answer before anything is wrapped.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'name' → NThe single letter for what you're called drops inside that shell.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'fashion' → RAGEBuild the outer shell next — a word for a craze or fury.
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Assembly
ST + (RAGE + N > RA(N)GE) = STRANGE
28A — Fancied gentleman's covered by legal document (7) — DESIRED
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Definition
Definition found: 'Fancied' — The straight definition sits at one end — a word meaning longed-for or wanted.The straight definition sits at one end — a word meaning longed-for or wanted.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'covered by'A phrase like 'covered by' is a steer that one piece is tucked inside another.
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Operation
'covered by' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'gentleman's legal document'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'gentleman's' → SIRThe term of address for a man is the piece that gets tucked inside.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'legal document' → DEEDBuild the outer shell first — the legal paper that wraps the inner piece.
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Assembly
DEED + SIR = DE(SIR)ED
Down
1D — Conservative clubs are almost packed (7) — CAREFUL
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Definition
Definition found: 'Conservative' — A single word at one end reads as a plain synonym for the answer; the rest is the recipe.A single word at one end reads as a plain synonym for the answer; the rest is the recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'almost'A word like 'almost' usually tells you to drop the final letter of the word it touches.
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Operation
'almost' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'packed'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'clubs' → CRead the clue as a recipe and join the pieces left to right.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'packed' → FULLStart from the whole word meaning crammed, before anything is removed.
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Assembly
C + ARE + (FULL - L > FUL) = CAREFUL
2D — Quacks firstly from ducks observed crossing rocky hills (7) — DOCTORS
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Definition
Definition found: 'Quacks' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which end reads as a plain, if slangy, synonym for the answer?The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which end reads as a plain, if slangy, synonym for the answer?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'firstly'A word meaning 'at the start' is often a steer to take the opening letter of each word that follows.
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Operation
'firstly' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'ducks observed crossing'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'rocky hills' → TORSJoin the next chunk straight onto the end — a charade builds left to right.
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Assembly
DOC + TORS = DOCTORS
3D — Ecstasy after John's free (5) — LOOSE
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Definition
Definition found: 'free' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — here it's a single word meaning unrestrained.The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — here it's a single word meaning unrestrained.
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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: 'Ecstasy' → E'after' tells us this single letter is tacked on to the end, not the start.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'John's' → LOOSBuild the answer as a recipe — this longer piece comes first because the clue says the other piece follows it. Going to the John(s)
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Assembly
E + LOOS = LOOSE
4D — Rudely insist Eve is easily offended (9) — SENSITIVE
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Definition
Definition found: 'easily offended' — A definition sits at one end of the clue, never the middle — which end reads as a plain description of how someone reacts?A definition sits at one end of the clue, never the middle — which end reads as a plain description of how someone reacts?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'Rudely'A word suggesting bad manners or roughness can be a nudge to rearrange the letters beside it.
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Operation
'Rudely' signals a anagram operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'insist Eve'
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Assembly
INSISTEVE = SENSITIVE
5D — Tightly held bottom of electric organ (5) — CLUNG
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Definition
Definition found: 'Tightly held' — A definition sits at one end of the clue — which two words at the start read as a plain past-tense word for gripping or clinging?A definition sits at one end of the clue — which two words at the start read as a plain past-tense word for gripping or clinging?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'bottom of'A phrase like 'bottom of' is a steer to take just the final letter of the word that follows.
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Operation
'bottom of' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'electric'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'organ' → LUNGJoin the body-part word straight onto the end, and check it fits the crossings.
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Assembly
C + LUNG = CLUNG
6D — Institutes protecting ancient city's animals (9) — CREATURES
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Definition
Definition found: 'animals' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which single word simply names what the answer is?The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which single word simply names what the answer is?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'protecting'A word about sheltering or wrapping often tells you one piece is tucked inside another.
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Operation
'protecting' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Institutes ancient city's'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Institutes' → CREATESBuild the outer word first — the verb meaning to establish, in its plural form.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'ancient city's' → URThe piece that goes inside is that Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia
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Assembly
CREATES + UR = CREAT(UR)ES
7D — Aida perhaps with little energy after tense run (7) — OPERATE
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Definition
Definition found: 'run' — A plain synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which end reads as an everyday word meaning the same thing?A plain synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which end reads as an everyday word meaning the same thing?
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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: 'Aida perhaps' → OPERARead the clue as a recipe — a named example points at the wider category it belongs to, and that word starts the answer.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'little energy' → EJoin the final single letter on the end — a unit of work or energy reduced to its tag.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'tense' → TWatch the wording: 'energy after tense' means this piece lands first, with the next one trailing it.
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Assembly
OPERA + E + T = OPERATE
8D — Incline to think American quietly is taken in by religious group (7) — SUSPECT
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Definition
Definition found: 'Incline to think' — A run of words at one end reads as a plain definition of the answer; the rest is the recipe.A run of words at one end reads as a plain definition of the answer; the rest is the recipe.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'taken in by'A phrase meaning 'tucked inside' tells you one piece is dropped within another.
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Operation
'taken in by' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'American quietly religious group'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'American' → USA nationality shrinks to a two-letter tag — the first inner piece.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'quietly' → PA softness marking gives a single letter — the second inner piece, joined on.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'religious group' → SECTBuild the outer shell that will wrap the inner pieces.
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Assembly
SECT + USP = S(USP)ECT
14D — Resistance before training heartlessly is cut (9) — REDUCTION
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Definition
Definition found: 'cut' — A straight synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which single word could simply mean the answer?A straight synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which single word could simply mean the answer?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'heartlessly'A word meaning 'without a heart' is a steer to drop the middle letter of the word it acts on.
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Operation
'heartlessly' signals a deletion operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'training'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Resistance' → RRead the clue as a recipe — this short piece leads off the answer.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'training' → EDUCATIONBegin from the full synonym before any letter is removed.
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Assembly
R + (EDUCATION - A > EDUCTION) = REDUCTION
16D — Called for calm (9) — COLLECTED
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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
COLLECTED = COLLECTED
17D — Somewhere in Yorkshire, son takes up residence (7) — SETTLES
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Definition
Definition found: 'takes up residence' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — here, what does the answer literally do?The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — here, what does the answer literally do?
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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: 'Somewhere in Yorkshire,' → SETTLERead the clue as a recipe — the place name comes first.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'son' → SJoin the single letter on the end to complete the answer.
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Assembly
SETTLE + S = SETTLES
18D — Ruler, politician and monarch tucked into flipping caviar! (7) — EMPEROR
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Definition
Definition found: 'Ruler,' — A straight synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which word reads as a plain title for a top ruler?A straight synonym for the answer sits at one end of the clue — which word reads as a plain title for a top ruler?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'tucked into''tucked into' tells you one group of letters is being slipped inside another.
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Operation
'tucked into' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'politician monarch caviar!'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'flipping'A turning word like this is a steer to read the neighbouring letters the other way round.
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Operation
'flipping' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'caviar!'
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'politician' → MPThe Parliament tag is the first half of what goes inside.
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Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'monarch' → ERThe regal tag joins on to complete the inner piece.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'caviar!' → ROEStart the shell from the word for fish eggs, before it is turned around.
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Assembly
EOR + MPER = E(MPER)OR
20D — Piece of fried food salesman picked up, full of beans (7) — CHIPPER
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Definition
Definition found: 'full of beans' — A definition sits at one end — here the lively phrase closing the clue reads as a plain synonym for the answer.A definition sits at one end — here the lively phrase closing the clue reads as a plain synonym for the answer.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'picked up,'In a down clue, a phrase like 'picked up' tells you to read a word the other way — bottom to top.
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Operation
'picked up,' signals a reversal operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'salesman'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Piece of fried food' → CHIPRead the clue as a recipe — the first piece joins on the front.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'salesman' → REPStart from the whole word before it is turned around.
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Assembly
CHIP + (REP > PER) = CHIPPER
21D — Moaned about tip on two-man saw (7) — SIGHTED
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Definition
Definition found: 'saw' — The straight definition sits at one end. 'saw' here is a past-tense verb, not the cutting tool.The straight definition sits at one end. 'saw' here is a past-tense verb, not the cutting tool.
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'tip'
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Operation
'tip' signals a letter_selection operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'two-man'
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'about'
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Operation
'about' signals a container operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Moaned two-man'
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Moaned' → SIGHEDBuild the outer word first, then make room inside it for the inner letter.
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Assembly
SIGHED + T = SIGH(T)ED
23D — Augusta's tee boxes preference? (5) — TASTE
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Definition
Definition found: 'preference?' — The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which single word reads as a plain synonym for the answer?The straight definition sits at one end of the clue — which single word reads as a plain synonym for the answer?
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Indicator
Indicator found: 'boxes'A word meaning 'encloses' or 'shuts something in' often hints the answer is concealed inside the run of letters beside it.
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Operation
'boxes' signals a hidden_word operation
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Fodder
Fodder: 'Augusta's tee'
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Assembly
TASTE = TASTE
24D — Bishop exposes fights (5) — BOUTS
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Definition
Definition found: 'fights' — A short clue usually ends on its plain definition — read the last word as a synonym for the answer.A short clue usually ends on its plain definition — read the last word as a synonym for the answer.
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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: 'Bishop' → BRead the clue as a recipe and join the pieces left to right — start with the chess-piece letter.
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Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'exposes' → OUTSAdd the word meaning to reveal or unmask, used as-is.
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Assembly
B + OUTS = BOUTS