Times Cryptic Crossword #28535

Times Cryptic · 29 clues with answers and explanations · 2023-02-24

Explanations sourced from Times for the Times

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Across

1 I rebel after pussy is put in a box? (10)

Def

put in a box?

Type

Charade

Expl

CAT (synonym="pussy") + EGO (synonym="I") + RISE (synonym="rebel") = CATEGORISE; definition: "put in a box?"

Answer

CATEGORISE
6 Fat female leading team of scientists? (4)

Def

Fat

Type

Charade

Expl

F (abbreviation="female") + LAB (synonym="team") = FLAB; definition: "Fat"

Answer

FLAB
9 Endless hell with weed in area of land (7)

Def

area of land

Type

Charade

Expl

HEC (synonym="HEC") + TARE (synonym="an annual weed that features in a biblical parable") = HECTARE; definition: "area of land"

Answer

HECTARE
10 Relationship established with talk and drink? (7)

Def

Relationship

Type

Charade

Expl

RAP (synonym="talk") + PORT (abbreviation="drink?") = RAPPORT; definition: "Relationship"

Answer

RAPPORT
12 Place limited by damage? It's open to debate (10)

Def

open to debate

Type

Container

Expl

PUT (synonym="place") in DISABLE (synonym="damage") = DISPUTABLE; definition: "open to debate"

Answer

DISPUTABLE
13 Gentleman back in prison (3)

Def

Gentleman

Type

Hidden word

Expl

reverse hidden (back in) in pRISon.

Answer

SIR
15 Son of gardener, one with a shrub (6)

Def

shrub

Type

Charade

Expl

ABEL (synonym="Son") + I (abbreviation="one") + A (abbreviation="a") = ABELIA; definition: "shrub"

Answer

ABELIA
16 Old folk can be canniest, surprisingly (8)

Def

Old folk

Type

Anagram

Expl

anagram of CANNIEST ("canniest,") [anagram: "surprisingly"] = ANCIENTS; definition: "Old folk"

Answer

ANCIENTS
18 People who cast nets, say, hang around on board ship (8)

Def

People who cast nets, say

Type

Container

Expl

LINGER (synonym="hang around") in SS (synonym="on board ship") = SLINGERS

Answer

SLINGERS
20 In short, hurry up to get the fellow something to eat (6)

Def

something to eat

Type

Charade

Expl

QUIC (synonym="QUIC") + HE (synonym="the fellow") = QUICHE; definition: "something to eat"

Answer

QUICHE
24 Bad feeling about sob stuff putting one off (10)

Def

Bad feeling

Type

Charade

Expl

RE (synonym="about") + SENT (synonym="SENT") + MENT (synonym="sob stuff") = RESENTMENT; definition: "Bad feeling"

Answer

RESENTMENT
26 One may have a right to gain estate, first and last (7)

Def

One may have

Type

Charade

Expl

semi &lit, A + LIEN (right to gain) + EstatE (first and last). — Times for the Times

Answer

ALIENEE
27 Actually one gets several holy books before a particular one (2,5)

Def

Actually

Type

Charade

Expl

I (synonym="one") + NT (synonym="several holy books") + RUTH (synonym="a particular one") = IN TRUTH; definition: "Actually"

Answer

IN TRUTH
28 Artificial lass, from what we hear (4)

Def

Artificial

Type

Homophone

Expl

sounds like “maid” (lass).

Answer

MADE
29 Extraordinary time with adults getting stirred up (10)

Def

stirred up

Type

Anagram

Expl

anagram of TIMEADULTS ("time with adults") [anagram: "Extraordinary"] = STIMULATED; definition: "stirred up"

Answer

STIMULATED

Down

1 Firm stocking my salmon (4)

Def

salmon

Type

Container

Expl

OH (synonym="my") in CO (synonym="firm") = COHO; definition: "salmon"

Answer

COHO
2 Touching performance in bit of board game? (7)

Def

Touching

Type

Container

Expl

ACT (synonym="performance") in TILE (synonym="bit of board game?") = TACTILE; definition: "Touching"

Answer

TACTILE
3 Fair one is holding device (9,4)

Def

holding device

Type

Container

Expl

faIR ONe is (i.e. containing ‘iron’). — Times for the Times

Answer

GRAPPLING IRON
4 Eggy mass — it's flipped over in dish (6)

Def

dish

Type

Reversal

Expl

ROE (eggy mass) + reversal of (flipped over) IT’S. — Times for the Times

Answer

ROESTI
5 Artist embraced by sailor in smooth dance (8)

Def

dance

Expl

RA (artist) in AB (sailor), all in SAND (smooth). — Times for the Times

Answer

SARABAND
7 Briefly visits small room with son among relatives (5,2)

Def

Briefly visits

Type

Charade

Expl

LOO (small room) + S (son) in (among) KIN (relatives). — Times for the Times

Answer

LOOKS IN
8 Sweet vessel that's capsized must be made stronger (10)

Def

made stronger

Type

Reversal

Expl

DESSERT (sweet) + TUB (vessel) all reversed (capsized). — Times for the Times

Answer

BUTTRESSED
11 Unusually for time capsule, there's no fine material of value (8,5)

Def

material of value

Type

Anagram

Expl

anagram of OR (synonym="OR") + TIME (synonym="TIME") + CAPSULE (synonym="CAPSULE") = PRECIOUS METAL; definition: "material of value"

Answer

PRECIOUS METAL
14 Water has flooded everything in rural community? Don't let it worry you! (5,5)

Def

Don’t let it worry you!

Expl

SEA (water) in ALL (everything), all in FARM (rural community). — Times for the Times

Answer

FALSE ALARM
17 Fastest footballer George seizing chance (8)

Def

Fastest

Type

Container

Expl

RISK (synonym="chance") in BEST (synonym="footballer George") = BRISKEST; definition: "Fastest"

Answer

BRISKEST
19 One politician told porkies, it's suggested (7)

Def

suggested

Type

Charade

Expl

I (synonym="One") + MP (synonym="politician") + LIED (synonym="told porkies") = IMPLIED; definition: "suggested"

Answer

IMPLIED
21 Lead pipe prisoner sits on (7)

Def

Lead

Type

Charade

Expl

CON (synonym="prisoner") + DUCT (synonym="pipe") = CONDUCT; definition: "Lead"

Answer

CONDUCT
22 Trendy business does poorly (6)

Def

poorly

Type

Charade

Expl

IN (abbreviation="Trendy") + FIRM (synonym="business") = INFIRM; definition: "poorly"

Answer

INFIRM
25 Country hotel baddie being kept outside (4)

Def

Country

Type

Charade, Container

Expl

H (synonym of "hotel") + CAD (synonym of "baddie") [container: "kept"]; definition: "Country"

Answer

CHAD