Crossword Answer Lookup

Times Cryptic Crossword #28334

Times Cryptic · 30 clues with answers and explanations · 2022-07-05

Explanations sourced from Times for the Times

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Across

  • 1 Spies act foolishly, providing distraction (8)
    Def
    providing distraction
    Type
    Anagram
    Expl
    anagram of SPIESACT ("Spies act") [anagram: "foolishly,"] = ESCAPIST; definition: "providing distraction"
    Answer
    ESCAPIST
  • 5 Dutch wanting female to lead country (6)
    Def
    Dutch
    Type
    Charade
    Expl
    MISS (synonym="female") + US (synonym="country") = MISSUS; definition: "Dutch"
    Answer
    MISSUS
  • 10 It is what it is (7,8)
    Def
    It is what it is
    Expl
    Does exactly what it says on the bottle! ‘It’ is Italian Vermouth – Martini being one of the leading brand names. — Times for the Times
    Answer
    ITALIAN VERMOUTH
  • 11 Wrongly enter road's designation (7)
    Def
    Wrongly enter
    Expl
    M1’S (road’s), TYPE (designation) — Times for the Times
    Answer
    MISTYPE
  • 12 Letters announcing successor is a man (7)
    Def
    Letters
    Type
    Homophone
    Expl
    Sounds like [announcing] “heir” (successor), “male” (man)
    Answer
    AIRMAIL
  • 13 One chucked out of French harbour, beer removed from case (8)
    Def
    One chucked out
    Type
    Deletion
    Expl
    DE (synonym="of in French") + PORT (synonym="harbour") + EE (synonym="EE") = DEPORTEE; definition: "One chucked out"
    Answer
    DEPORTEE
  • 15 Philosopher in bar, did you say? (5)
    Def
    Philosopher
    Type
    Homophone
    Expl
    Sounds like [did you say] “lock”  (bar). I think this works best as a verb e.g. you might lock/bar a door.  The philosopher is John Locke (1632-1704) known to me only from crossword puzzles.
    Answer
    LOCKE
  • 18 Rebels in times of trouble, losing head (5)
    Def
    Rebels
    Type
    Deletion
    Expl
    {c}RISES (times of trouble) [losing head] — Times for the Times
    Answer
    RISES
  • 20 At end of day, prayers still no good (8)
    Def
    At end of day, prayers
    Type
    Charade
    Expl
    EVEN (synonym="EVEN") + SO (synonym="still") + NG (synonym="no good") = EVENSONG
    Answer
    EVENSONG
  • 23 Chef's concoction perhaps inspiring learner to be more flexible (7)
    Def
    more flexible
    Type
    Container
    Expl
    SUPPER (chef’s concoction perhaps) containing [inspiring] L (learner driver). Not a very appetising description! — Times for the Times
    Answer
    SUPPLER
  • 25 Some popes were so merciful! (7)
    Def
    Some popes were so / merciful
    Type
    Double definition
    Expl
    Double definition
    Answer
    CLEMENT
  • 26 Get things wrong, as you might with Oxford? (3,4,4,2,2)
    Def
    Get things wrong / as you might with Oxford?
    Type
    Charade
    Expl
    A definition based on a well-known phrase, then a cryptic hint with reference to Oxford as a type of shoe. The first one is a bit loose as the expression doesn’t refer to getting things wrong in general, but only when a faux pas has been committed. — Times for the Times
    Answer
    PUT ONES FOOT IN IT
  • 27 Displeasure at duke's insecurity (6)
    Def
    insecurity
    Type
    Charade
    Expl
    D (synonym of "duke's") + ANGER (synonym of "Displeasure"); definition: "insecurity"
    Answer
    DANGER
  • 28 Clever chap having nagging woman stop (8)
    Def
    Clever chap
    Type
    Charade
    Expl
    SHREW (synonym="nagging woman – The Taming of the Shrew") + DIE (synonym="stop") = SHREWDIE; definition: "Clever chap"
    Answer
    SHREWDIE

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