Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog. If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Nicely quirky; beautifully Django. Some lovely touches and fresh thinking.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30981
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers. The sun is just starting to break through here in Hertfordshire and it looks like being another lovely summer’s day with a decent puzzle to set us all off on the right footing.
I took longer than usual over this RayT puzzle, but on reflection, I can’t really see why. Ray is playing a bit fast and loose with his trademark sweetheart and Queen in 19a and 26d respectively, so tread carefully!
Enjoyable and concise as ever at an average of exactly five words/clue. A special mention to the Quickie Pun as well. For those new to crosswords, the first two or three across clues in the Quick Crossword are italicised and make a groanworthy pun.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to RayT and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ***
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg.
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), a very fair Wednesday challenge. If there are any half crowns left at the back of my sock drawer they are staying there because when it comes to the setter, as my ancestors would say, je ne sais pas.
Sunday Toughie No 180 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 6th of July 2025
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This puzzle was published on 6th July 2025
BD Rating –Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
Toughie No 3513 by Stick Insect
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
What has happened to Tuesdays? This was another well-above Tuesday level entry by my estimation and wouldn’t have been out of place much later in the week. … Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
Mercifully cooler here in Harpenden this morning & the forecast says we may well catch some much needed rain.
Today’s Plumb production was maybe a tad trickier than X-Type’s puzzle yesterday though still straightforward enough. As ever nicely clued throughout & perfectly enjoyable. There did seem to me to be more than the usual number of single letter insertions & deletions, which I don’t suppose I would have necessarily noticed had I not been required to write the hints. I did try to hide some of the music clips under the click here facility following SJB’s guidance but couldn’t get the hang of it so apologies if any spoil it for those requiring the hint.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
We’ve almost made it to the end of the school year — and indeed the end of primary school for this household, with just one week to go. We’ve seen the Year 6 musical, and last week the 10-year-old had a three-day residential trip with activities including caving and gorge-scrambling. This week there’s an assembly, a church service, a party, presents for teachers, and probably something else I’ve forgotten. I’m lucky to be in a position to attend most of those.
However fitting that in means starting work earlier today, so I’m unlikely to have time to add illustrations to this review before it goes live, for which apologies — but I’m hoping to pop back at lunchtime and retrospectively sneak a few in then.