How do I solve 1 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

1 across reads "European tuning a Cortina" (8 letters); the answer is CROATIAN. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 5 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

5 across reads "Dog food" (4 letters); the answer is CHOW. It's a double-definition clue: two separate definitions of the same word sit side by side. No wordplay split and no indicators — both halves of the clue define the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 8 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

8 across reads "Thugs primarily regret being honest" (4 letters); the answer is TRUE. It's a letter-selection clue: take specific letters from a longer source. 'First of' means the opening letter, 'extremely' means first + last, 'regularly' means every other letter, 'oddly' / 'evenly' means odd or even positions. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 9 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

9 across reads "A pinko brat upset office temp?" (10 letters); the answer is PORTAKABIN. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 11 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

11 across reads "Snooker player wants these rests" (6 letters); the answer is BREAKS. It's a double-definition clue: two separate definitions of the same word sit side by side. No wordplay split and no indicators — both halves of the clue define the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 13 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

13 across reads "Oscar-holding group on about those in MASH?" (8 letters); the answer is POTATOES. It's a double-definition clue: two separate definitions of the same word sit side by side. No wordplay split and no indicators — both halves of the clue define the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 14 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

14 across reads "Cute, undersized mountain climber" (5,3 letters); the answer is SWEET PEA. It's a double-definition clue: two separate definitions of the same word sit side by side. No wordplay split and no indicators — both halves of the clue define the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 16 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

16 across reads "Superhero-outfitted knight by a sofa" (6 letters); the answer is CANAPE. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 17 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

17 across reads "Europeans importing carbon balls?" (6 letters); the answer is DANCES. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 19 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

19 across reads "On which line’s dropped by Pole with spade?" (8 letters); the answer is POSTCARD. It's a charade: the answer breaks into parts in clue order, each part clued by a word or short phrase. No indicators needed; watch for standard abbreviations (RA = artist, US = American, IN = at home) and short synonyms. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 21 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

21 across reads "Cruelty of Ohio judge upset Columbus?" (8 letters); the answer is FEROCITY. It's a reversal clue: the answer is a word read backwards. Look for indicators like 'back', 'returned', or — in a down clue — 'up' or 'lifted'. Find the source word and reverse it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 22 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

22 across reads "Coffee-maker unpacked by old lady?" (6 letters); the answer is ARISTA. It's a deletion clue: start with a word the clue points to, then drop one or more letters. Indicators include 'endlessly' (lose the last letter), 'beheaded' (lose the first), or 'heartlessly' (lose the middle). The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 23 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

23 across reads "A bend hiker negotiated in town" (10 letters); the answer is BIRKENHEAD. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 24 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

24 across reads "Potty or bowl over on the counter?" (4 letters); the answer is NUTS. It's a reversal clue: the answer is a word read backwards. Look for indicators like 'back', 'returned', or — in a down clue — 'up' or 'lifted'. Find the source word and reverse it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 26 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

26 across reads "Rounds of drinks" (4 letters); the answer is LAPS. It's a double-definition clue: two separate definitions of the same word sit side by side. No wordplay split and no indicators — both halves of the clue define the answer. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 27 across in Times Cryptic 5218?

27 across reads "Singer taking long look around Lima" (8 letters); the answer is STARLING. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 1 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

1 down reads "Jesus makes appearance in Runcorn" (3 letters); the answer is COR. It's a hidden-word clue: the answer is spelled out by consecutive letters in the clue itself, often crossing a word boundary. Indicators like 'in', 'some', or 'part of' signal that you're looking at a substring. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 2 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

2 down reads "Work training delivered in talk" (7 letters); the answer is OPERATE. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 3 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

3 down reads "Snacks, milk and a slice of salami" (5 letters); the answer is TAPAS. It's a letter-selection clue: take specific letters from a longer source. 'First of' means the opening letter, 'extremely' means first + last, 'regularly' means every other letter, 'oddly' / 'evenly' means odd or even positions. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 4 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

4 down reads "Roman general with a hold over father" (7 letters); the answer is AGRIPPA. It's a charade: the answer breaks into parts in clue order, each part clued by a word or short phrase. No indicators needed; watch for standard abbreviations (RA = artist, US = American, IN = at home) and short synonyms. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 6 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

6 down reads "Try old wine mostly and become happy" (7 letters); the answer is HEARTEN. It's a deletion clue: start with a word the clue points to, then drop one or more letters. Indicators include 'endlessly' (lose the last letter), 'beheaded' (lose the first), or 'heartlessly' (lose the middle). The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 7 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

7 down reads "Pale soul gets thinner" (5,6 letters); the answer is WHITE SPIRIT. It's a charade: the answer breaks into parts in clue order, each part clued by a word or short phrase. No indicators needed; watch for standard abbreviations (RA = artist, US = American, IN = at home) and short synonyms. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 10 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

10 down reads "A stack battered over time in storms" (7 letters); the answer is ATTACKS. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 12 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

12 down reads "Basic ingredients cooked up alarm waiter" (3,8 letters); the answer is RAW MATERIAL. It's an anagram clue: the answer is a rearrangement of letters supplied by the clue itself. Look for an indicator like 'mixed', 'broken', 'cooked', or 'wild', and find a phrase whose letters add up to the answer's length. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 15 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

15 down reads "One blocking exit in anger?" (7 letters); the answer is PASSION. It's a letter-selection clue: take specific letters from a longer source. 'First of' means the opening letter, 'extremely' means first + last, 'regularly' means every other letter, 'oddly' / 'evenly' means odd or even positions. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 18 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

18 down reads "Record essentially filed in error" (5,2 letters); the answer is CLOCK UP. It's a letter-selection clue: take specific letters from a longer source. 'First of' means the opening letter, 'extremely' means first + last, 'regularly' means every other letter, 'oddly' / 'evenly' means odd or even positions. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 19 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

19 down reads "Unknown soldiers in mass advance?" (7 letters); the answer is PAYMENT. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 20 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

20 down reads "Lunchtime worker opens energy drink" (7 letters); the answer is CHIANTI. It's a container clue: one word goes inside another. Container indicators include 'in', 'around', 'holding', and 'embracing' — identify the outer word, then the inner piece that gets slotted into it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 22 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

22 down reads "One with wind steps out of line" (5 letters); the answer is ADDER. It's a deletion clue: start with a word the clue points to, then drop one or more letters. Indicators include 'endlessly' (lose the last letter), 'beheaded' (lose the first), or 'heartlessly' (lose the middle). The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

How do I solve 25 down in Times Cryptic 5218?

25 down reads "Yank in corporation getting a rise" (3 letters); the answer is TUG. It's a reversal clue: the answer is a word read backwards. Look for indicators like 'back', 'returned', or — in a down clue — 'up' or 'lifted'. Find the source word and reverse it. The full step-by-step breakdown is on this page.

Times Cryptic 5218 — Answers, Hints & Wordplay Explained

1A — European tuning a Cortina (8) — CROATIAN

Definition
Definition found: 'European'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'tuning'
Operation
'tuning' signals a anagram operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'a Cortina'
Assembly
ACORTINA = CROATIAN

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5A — Dog food (4) — CHOW

Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definition
Assembly
CHOW = CHOW

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8A — Thugs primarily regret being honest (4) — TRUE

Definition
Definition found: 'being honest'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'primarily'
Operation
'primarily' signals a letter_selection operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Thugs'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'regret' → RUE
Assembly
T + RUE = TRUE

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9A — A pinko brat upset office temp? (10) — PORTAKABIN

Definition
Definition found: 'office temp?'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'upset'
Operation
'upset' signals a anagram operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'A pinko brat'
Assembly
APINKOBRAT = PORTAKABIN

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11A — Snooker player wants these rests (6) — BREAKS

Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definition
Assembly
BREAKS = BREAKS

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13A — Oscar-holding group on about those in MASH? (8) — POTATOES

Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definition
Assembly
POTATOES = POTATOES

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14A — Cute, undersized mountain climber (5,3) — SWEET PEA

Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definition
Assembly
SWEETPEA = SWEET PEA

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16A — Superhero-outfitted knight by a sofa (6) — CANAPE

Definition
Definition found: 'sofa'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'by'
Operation
'by' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Superhero-outfitted knight a'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Superhero-outfitted' → CAPE
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'knight' → N
Assembly
CAPE + NA = CA(NA)PE

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17A — Europeans importing carbon balls? (6) — DANCES

Definition
Definition found: 'balls?'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'importing'
Operation
'importing' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Europeans carbon'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Europeans' → DANES
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'carbon' → C
Assembly
DANES + C = DAN(C)ES

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19A — On which line’s dropped by Pole with spade? (8) — POSTCARD

Definition
Definition found: 'On which line’s dropped'
Wordplay
Wordplay: Charade
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Pole' → POST
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'spade?' → CARD
Assembly
POST + CARD = POSTCARD

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21A — Cruelty of Ohio judge upset Columbus? (8) — FEROCITY

Definition
Definition found: 'Cruelty'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'upset'
Operation
'upset' signals a reversal operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'judge'
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Ohio' → O
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'judge' → REF
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Columbus?' → CITY
Assembly
O + (REF > FER) + CITY = FEROCITY

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22A — Coffee-maker unpacked by old lady? (6) — ARISTA

Definition
Definition found: 'old lady?'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'unpacked'
Operation
'unpacked' signals a deletion operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Coffee-maker'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Coffee-maker' → BARISTA
Assembly
BARISTA - B = ARISTA

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23A — A bend hiker negotiated in town (10) — BIRKENHEAD

Definition
Definition found: 'in town'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'negotiated'
Operation
'negotiated' signals a anagram operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'A bend hiker'
Assembly
ABENDHIKER = BIRKENHEAD

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24A — Potty or bowl over on the counter? (4) — NUTS

Definition
Definition found: 'Potty'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'on the counter?'
Operation
'on the counter?' signals a reversal operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'bowl over'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'bowl over' → STUN
Assembly
STUN = NUTS

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26A — Rounds of drinks (4) — LAPS

Wordplay
Wordplay: Double definition
Assembly
LAPS = LAPS

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27A — Singer taking long look around Lima (8) — STARLING

Definition
Definition found: 'Singer' — A bird that sings
Indicator
Indicator found: 'around'
Operation
'around' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'taking long look Lima'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'long look' → STARING
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Lima' → L
Assembly
STARING + L = STAR(L)ING

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1D — Jesus makes appearance in Runcorn (3) — COR

Definition
Definition found: 'Jesus'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'makes appearance in'
Operation
'makes appearance in' signals a hidden_word operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Runcorn'
Assembly
COR = COR

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2D — Work training delivered in talk (7) — OPERATE

Definition
Definition found: 'Work'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'delivered in'
Operation
'delivered in' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'training talk'
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'training' → PE
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'talk' → ORATE
Assembly
ORATE + PE = O(PE)RATE

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3D — Snacks, milk and a slice of salami (5) — TAPAS

Definition
Definition found: 'Snacks,'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'slice of'
Operation
'slice of' signals a letter_selection operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'salami'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'milk' → TAP
Assembly
TAP + A + S = TAPAS

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4D — Roman general with a hold over father (7) — AGRIPPA

Definition
Definition found: 'Roman general'
Wordplay
Wordplay: Charade
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'hold' → GRIP
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'father' → PA
Assembly
A + GRIP + PA = AGRIPPA

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6D — Try old wine mostly and become happy (7) — HEARTEN

Definition
Definition found: 'become happy'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'mostly'
Operation
'mostly' signals a deletion operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'old wine'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Try' → HEAR
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'old wine' → TENT
Assembly
HEAR + (TENT - T > TEN) = HEARTEN

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7D — Pale soul gets thinner (5,6) — WHITE SPIRIT

Definition
Definition found: 'gets thinner'
Wordplay
Wordplay: Charade
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Pale' → WHITE
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'soul' → SPIRIT
Assembly
WHITE + SPIRIT = WHITE SPIRIT

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10D — A stack battered over time in storms (7) — ATTACKS

Definition
Definition found: 'in storms'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'battered'
Operation
'battered' signals a anagram operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'A stack time'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'A stack time' → ASTACKT
Assembly
ASTACKT = ATTACKS

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12D — Basic ingredients cooked up alarm waiter (3,8) — RAW MATERIAL

Definition
Definition found: 'Basic ingredients'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'cooked up'
Operation
'cooked up' signals a anagram operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'alarm waiter'
Assembly
ALARMWAITER = RAWMATERIAL

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15D — One blocking exit in anger? (7) — PASSION

Definition
Definition found: 'anger?'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'blocking'
Operation
'blocking' signals a letter_selection operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'One'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'in'
Operation
'in' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'One exit'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'exit' → PASS
Assembly
O + PASS + IN = PASSI(O)N

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18D — Record essentially filed in error (5,2) — CLOCK UP

Definition
Definition found: 'Record'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'essentially'
Operation
'essentially' signals a letter_selection operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'filed'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'in'
Operation
'in' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'filed error'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'error' → COCK UP
Assembly
L + COCKUP = C(L)OCKUP

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19D — Unknown soldiers in mass advance? (7) — PAYMENT

Definition
Definition found: 'advance?'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'in'
Operation
'in' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Unknown soldiers mass'
Abbreviation
Abbreviations spotted: 'Unknown' → Y
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'soldiers' → MEN
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'mass' → PAT
Assembly
PAT + YMEN = PA(YMEN)T

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20D — Lunchtime worker opens energy drink (7) — CHIANTI

Definition
Definition found: 'drink'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'opens'
Operation
'opens' signals a container operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'Lunchtime worker energy'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'Lunchtime' → I
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'worker' → ANT
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'energy' → CHI
Assembly
CHI + IANT = CH(IANT)I

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22D — One with wind steps out of line (5) — ADDER

Definition
Definition found: 'One with wind' — Something that winds along (not air moving)
Indicator
Indicator found: 'out of'
Operation
'out of' signals a deletion operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'steps line'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'steps' → LADDER
Assembly
LADDER - L = ADDER

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25D — Yank in corporation getting a rise (3) — TUG

Definition
Definition found: 'Yank'
Indicator
Indicator found: 'getting a rise'
Operation
'getting a rise' signals a reversal operation
Fodder
Fodder: 'corporation'
Synonym
Synonyms spotted: 'corporation' → GUT
Assembly
GUT = TUG

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Times Cryptic 5218

Across

1A — European tuning a Cortina (8) — CROATIAN

5A — Dog food (4) — CHOW

8A — Thugs primarily regret being honest (4) — TRUE

9A — A pinko brat upset office temp? (10) — PORTAKABIN

11A — Snooker player wants these rests (6) — BREAKS

13A — Oscar-holding group on about those in MASH? (8) — POTATOES

14A — Cute, undersized mountain climber (5,3) — SWEET PEA

16A — Superhero-outfitted knight by a sofa (6) — CANAPE

17A — Europeans importing carbon balls? (6) — DANCES

19A — On which line’s dropped by Pole with spade? (8) — POSTCARD

21A — Cruelty of Ohio judge upset Columbus? (8) — FEROCITY

22A — Coffee-maker unpacked by old lady? (6) — ARISTA

23A — A bend hiker negotiated in town (10) — BIRKENHEAD

24A — Potty or bowl over on the counter? (4) — NUTS

26A — Rounds of drinks (4) — LAPS

27A — Singer taking long look around Lima (8) — STARLING

Down

1D — Jesus makes appearance in Runcorn (3) — COR

2D — Work training delivered in talk (7) — OPERATE

3D — Snacks, milk and a slice of salami (5) — TAPAS

4D — Roman general with a hold over father (7) — AGRIPPA

6D — Try old wine mostly and become happy (7) — HEARTEN

7D — Pale soul gets thinner (5,6) — WHITE SPIRIT

10D — A stack battered over time in storms (7) — ATTACKS

12D — Basic ingredients cooked up alarm waiter (3,8) — RAW MATERIAL

15D — One blocking exit in anger? (7) — PASSION

18D — Record essentially filed in error (5,2) — CLOCK UP

19D — Unknown soldiers in mass advance? (7) — PAYMENT

20D — Lunchtime worker opens energy drink (7) — CHIANTI

22D — One with wind steps out of line (5) — ADDER

25D — Yank in corporation getting a rise (3) — TUG