Times Quick Cryptic No 308 by Hurley

Author   macavity123Posted on Categories Quick Cryptic
Solving time: Fair to middling.

Hi everyone.

Hurley is here today and he (for I think it is a he and not Liz) is certainly at home in these slots with nice accessible puzzles that always raise a smile or two while solving.

Nothing too taxing today, though I did think 11 down was a bit complex for this type of puzzle and 10 across might not be familiar to some solvers. That said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable solve.

I shall be at the S&B gathering next Tuesday and hope to see some of you there. if you’ve never been to one, they are incredibly friendly convivial events, and a lot of new friends have been made at them. it’s also a chance for you to meet some of your tormentors as well. The Times have an annual setters’ lunch and most of them stroll along and say hello afterwards. Do try and come if you are able to!

See you next Thursday, if not before!

Across
1 TEST CASES – The first definition today is they may set precedents. CASES (containers) goes after TEST (cricket).
6 SAW – A double definition, a word that can also mean noticed is something that can cut items.
8 RELIEVE – Take (the) place of is the definition. RELI(C) [outdated type] failing to finish, i.e. no last letter. Add to this EVE, the day before.
9 DRIVE – Vigorous effort is the definition. DRIVE(L), senseless talk. Again here, it’s minus the last letter, indicated by ‘cut short’.
10 MONOTHEISTIC – Maybe this is a bit obscure a word for the Quick Cryptic, but it’s a fairly straightforward clue. “Describing” here is doing almost a double duty in that it almost qualifies the definition to say you are looking for an adjective. It’s also the anagram indicator. An anagram of ECONOMIST HIT gives a type of system of belief. Incidentally it’s also an anagram of NEO-THOMISTIC, related to the study of philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas!
12 STUD – It may fasten is the definition. Take the initial letters (first of all) of Shirt That’s Undone, Dishevelled.
13 SNAP – Card game is the definition. The reverse (on return) of a word meaning critiises, i.e. PANS.
17 IN CONFIDENCE – As a secret is the definition. An anagram (treated) of NICE FIND, ONCE.
20 IDAHO – State (as in part of America) is the definition. Hidden backwards in DOHA DISCUSSIONS.
21 DECLINE – Movement downwards is the definition. DEC (last month) + LINE (row).
23 GET – Understand is the definition. Take the abbreviations for temperature (T) and say, as in for example, (E.G.) and reverse them both together.
24 TEDDY BEAR – A child’s companion is the definition. An anagram (indicated by about) of DRY DEBATE.

Down
1 TERM – Expression is the definition. Often when regularly appears in a clue it means that should take alternate letters in a word in the clue. Here, it’s the alternate letters of ThEoReM.
2 SELL OUT – Act of betrayal is the definition. Reverse LES and add LOUT (boorish person).
3 CUE – A double definition. Something that Alex Higgins used is also a signal to do something. Incidentally newer solvers may not be aware but The Times is the only national newspaper that does not use the names of living people, other than the Queen in their puzzles. Job titles Prime Minister, President and Pope are OK, but not the names of the incumbents. This was inadvertently breched last year when Umberto Eco sneaked through, and he’s still very much with us, as is Alan Ayckbourn (Tuesday!). It happens occasionally. In a couple of the quiz events at my local league I run a “Dead or Alive” round and more often than not, at least 75% of the answers given are wrong!
4 SEETHE – Become agitated is the definition. Hidden inside (indicated by some) FORESEE THEFT
5 SIDE ISSUE – The definition is subsidiary point. SIDE (cheek, insolence) + I’S (one’s) + SUE (take legal action).
6 SHIFT – Change is the definition. SH! (quietly) + IF + T
7 WRENCH – That feeling of anguish when you leave someone is the definition. R (run, in cricketing abbreviations) inside WENCH.
11 ODD ONE OUT – This is quite a complex clue, though the answer is fairly obvious. The definition is person who’s left. An anagram of DOTED ON is ‘on’ OU (the inside, essential part of DOUR). This means in effect that it goes around ON, as though you are placing it over.
14 ARCHIVE – Store is the definition. ARCH (playfully mischievous) + IV (FOURSOME) + E (English)
15 VIKING – Norseman is the definition. I(island) KIN (family) with VG (very good) around it.
16 KIDDED – Teased is your definition. KID (child) + DE (of French) = D (Dame).
18 CRAFT – Cunning is the definition. RAF (flyers) inside CT (court).
19 PEER – A double definition clue. A word that describes what an Earl is is also to look closely or inspect.
20 COY – The final definition today is reluctant to provide details. CO (COMPANY) + Y (beginning of the word YEAR).

6 comments on “Times Quick Cryptic No 308 by Hurley”

  1. An enjoyable puzzle with a good combination of relatively straightforward and tough clues. I managed to parse all of them apart from 11d which I semi-parsed (if there is such a thing) after writing in the answer.
  3. Couldn’t fully parse 8, 11 and 14 (arch = playfully mischievous is a new one on me) otherwise ok. A lot longer solving time than yesterday though. Invariant
  4. I went astray on 23a – I thought it was ‘see’ (to understand / degrees c / see a reflection…) I got 10a and 11d and most of the across clues but less well on the downs. Thanks for the blog
    Hannah
  5. thought I’d completed my second ever quick cryptic. I see 19d though is peer and I’d come up with leer. Here’s my logic: Lear is an anagram of Earl. The clue says Earl perhaps, so ‘Lear perhaps’ could be leer, which admittedly isn’t such an accurate definition for look closely as peer, but it could pass… Thoughts?
    1. There is nothing to indicate ‘sounds like’, so 9/10 for effort but I think peer is what the setter intended. Invariant

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