Questions tagged [cryptic-clues]

A puzzle that involves cryptic clues of the type found in cryptic crosswords, but is not a cryptic crossword. DO NOT use this tag for puzzles that are stated cryptically; use [enigmatic-puzzle] instead. Use [cryptic-crosswords] for whole crosswords; [crossword-clues] for crossword clues not obeying the conventions of cryptic crosswords (even if they are stated cryptically).

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9 votes
1 answer
569 views

Cryptic Division 4: Oops! All Math!

This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
12 votes
1 answer
339 views

Cryptic crossword: trading places

This is a cryptic crossword. Each clue contains an extra letter which must be removed before the clue is solved, leaving real words in place. Solvers may find a use for these letters. Each ...
Narushiteli's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

When in Rome... or perhaps Ankh-Morpork?

This is a cryptic crossword despite appearances. On the left is a five-by-five grid with no bars; on the right are five colour-coded slats one cell wide and a varying number of cells deep. The clues ...
Narushiteli's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
153 views

Crossword clue “Trouble follows loud bomb” [closed]

Please explain this clue: Trouble follows loud bomb The answer given is:
John Lofthouse's user avatar
16 votes
1 answer
644 views

Cryptic jigsaw crossword puzzle

This is a cryptic jigsaw crossword: no clue numbers are provided in the grid; solvers must instead fit the answers in wherever they can. The solution is unique, and the green tick mark goes to ...
Narushiteli's user avatar
17 votes
1 answer
426 views

Cryptic Division 3: Stuck Together

This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
8 votes
1 answer
357 views

oAlt worked overtime

This is a cryptic crossword. The check mark will go to the first person who submits an answer with 1) an image of the completed crossword and 2) explanations for all clue answers. For users who cannot ...
oAlt's user avatar
  • 5,686
10 votes
2 answers
153 views

Cryptic Division 2: Staying on Brand

This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. In order to solve the alphametic, you'll first need to ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
1 vote
1 answer
238 views

"Idiot" cryptic clue in final episode of "Endeavour"

The final episode of "Endeavour" Exeunt (TV Episode 2023) - IMDb made use of this cryptic clue: Mother takes murderer back. Idiot. The answer is: I understand why that's the answer, but I ...
Ray Butterworth's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
258 views

More Like This 2:?

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #12: mobile-friendly puzzles. This is the second part of the series "More Like This", named after the section in the Oxford Learner's ...
Scratch---Cat's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
392 views

Cryptic Acrostic 6: Spill the Tea

This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
11 votes
1 answer
358 views

Solidarity with the Moderation Team (A Cryptic Division Puzzle)

Alternative title: Cryptic Division 1: Never Give Up This is a word division puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. In ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
44 votes
1 answer
4k views

Moderation strike: a tired lunatic (4)

Which four-letter word fits the clue "Moderation strike: a tired lunatic"? Disclaimer:
Glorfindel's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
314 views

Cryptic Acrostic 5: Stealing the Show

This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link. A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, ...
juicifer's user avatar
  • 7,549
6 votes
1 answer
229 views

Does "Primarily these aren't temporary transformations of one's skin! (7)" work as a cryptic clue?

Primarily these aren't temporary transformations of one's skin! (7) Context for the question (which is a spoiler for the answer)
Globe Theatre's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Cryptic crossword clue: "Regularly clean and wet washing"

The answer to the clue is 'laundry', which is l-a-undry. Where does the 'la' come from? Source: The i's Five-Clue Cryptic, 12 April 2023
user82519's user avatar
  • 375
4 votes
1 answer
258 views

Ceased Kryptic Klues - Don't Doubt Yourself!

Horizontal 2. Great circle's created a torque(9) 4. Red pill, taken in shoots regularly(1) 7. Investigator's flawed, having true instead of false(6) 8. Some organize brave traffic controller from La ...
Techidiot's user avatar
  • 18.9k
3 votes
1 answer
155 views

Is this cryptic valid?

I came up with a cryptic clue that I'd like to use, but I'm not sure if it's valid. Less hair?—nonsense! (10)
Tyler Selden's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
300 views

Cryptic Sundays #1

Welcome to our first episode of Cryptic Sundays, a cryptic collection that starts on, well, you know, every Sunday! We have some puzzles to begin, so let's start now! Still, there are wild lionesses (...
1357924680a's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
381 views

A Message Of Encouragement

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #8: Cellular Automata. This themed cryptic puzzle is dedicated to a user (from another website) who proposed to make March 23rd as a special holiday ...
Scratch---Cat's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
858 views

Cryptic-clue explanation: What does “One in 10?” mean in the definition of ‘Ladle’

The clue in question is Labour leader entering into deal upset one in 10? (5) I have solved this via the wordplay but I don’t see how the definition applies. The answer is 'ladle' (L in (DEAL)) but ...
LongwellJ's user avatar
  • 113
3 votes
1 answer
176 views

Did I get my meaning across with these cryptic clues?

End of a text lead by a former lover (8) Not one place to contain a cry of pain (7) Spawn in vegan ingredients (7) Freeholder who meets their end in the Middle East (6) It may not be a good feeling, ...
Laurel's user avatar
  • 1,043
5 votes
2 answers
499 views

Rachel and Andrew Lewdin are short with Norse God riddler (4, 6)

Here's another cryptic that I thought would be fun to make (and hopefully solve). Rachel and Andrew Lewdin are short with Norse God riddler (4, 6) Enjoy!
Tyler Selden's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
299 views

School of thought puts pin in charged oxygen atom

Here's another Cryptic Clue I came up with: School of thought puts pin in charged oxygen atom (7) Hope you like it!
Tyler Selden's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
777 views

Something Here is Fishy

This is a cryptic clue I just came up with: Fisherman stands behind small rope noose (9) It's my first ever puzzle, so hopefully it isn't too much of a stretch.
Tyler Selden's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Riley Riddle in the game

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #7: Board games. My first can hold flags (No matches). My second lasts three months (No matches). My last is your attention (1 accurate match). My ...
Scratch---Cat's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
130 views

Symsquare Number 04

Symsquare6: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
Claude Goeminne's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
150 views

A Slightly Outdated Symsquare

Puzzle inspired by Symsquare Number 01 series created by @Claude Goeminne 4x4 Symsquare For anyone unfamiliar with a symsquare, the answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and ...
gabbo1092's user avatar
  • 6,000
2 votes
1 answer
107 views

Symsquare Number 03

Symsquare5: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
Claude Goeminne's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
122 views

Symsquare Number 02

Symsquare4: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
Claude Goeminne's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
298 views

Why is "Candy" the answer to "Last two of juicy sweets"? [closed]

The clue was "Last two of juicy sweets?" and the answer was 'Candy'. I don't understand why.
Kevin Lea's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
185 views

Symsquare Number 01

Symsquare4: The answer is a square grid which has the same words vertically and horizontally. The clue is a single sentence written in cryptic style and includes one anagram, one hidden word, one ...
Claude Goeminne's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
185 views

Trochaic hexameter

This puzzle is part of the Monthly Topic Challenge #7: Board games. I was visiting the club yesterday, and I saw some people playing a weird word game araound a table. They use Scrabble-like tiles ...
Scratch---Cat's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
807 views

A cryptic clue about an unusual instrument

This is a single clue based on the sort common in cryptic crosswords. I made it up myself and I have no idea if it will be hard or easy. To answer this question, write (or rather type) ... an article ...
chasly - supports Monica's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
334 views

Napoleon I and some chemicals

This is a cryptic crossword. The check mark will go to the first person who submits an answer with 1) an image of the completed crossword and 2) explanations for all clues. For users who cannot use ...
oAlt's user avatar
  • 5,686
3 votes
1 answer
444 views

Cryptic clue explanation: "Lock up devil is said to be in revolt"

I know the answer to the crossword clue ‘lock up devil is said to be in revolt’ is 'imprison' but I can’t explain the wordplay ‘devil is said to be in revolt’. This clue was in The Sun's 2-speed ...
Graham's user avatar
  • 41
-2 votes
1 answer
151 views

Cryptic clue explanation: “I’m not as active for Vacation times.” [closed]

Explain why “anagram” is the answer to the clue “I’m not as active for Vacation times.”
JNM's user avatar
  • 1
14 votes
2 answers
1k views

Policeman's large Elvish dagger (5)

The clue is: Policeman's large Elvish dagger (5) The answer is: Sting How is the answer derived?
user82519's user avatar
  • 375
10 votes
1 answer
898 views

Understand answer to "Herb ducks hugging ungrateful daughter (7)"

Found this cryptic clue in the #1 Times quick cryptic book. I got it for Xmas so I could graduate to some more complicated cryptic puzzles than the rubbish you see in the mass market ones though, if ...
paxdiablo's user avatar
  • 296
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Explain answer to "Men in a state of agitation a very long time"

This crossword clue: "Men in a state of agitation a very long time (7)" has the answer Please explain the "men" aspect.
user82519's user avatar
  • 375
11 votes
1 answer
466 views

Mazed and Confused

This is part 3 of the puzzle series Around the World in Many Days. Each part is solvable on its own. Deаr Puzzling, Today I have admired the natural beauty of a paradise island and seen sand dunes ...
Jafe's user avatar
  • 75.4k
5 votes
1 answer
568 views

PSE Advent Calendar 2022 (Day 13): Sweden’s Sankta Lucia

This puzzle is part of the Puzzling Stack Exchange Advent Calendar 2022. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door > Ahhh, that ...
user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
130 views

Don't mind me, just headscarf bio (11 3 9)

You see someone moving stuff. They say "don't mind me, just headscarf bio (11 3 9)." What's going on?
Display name's user avatar
  • 2,230
0 votes
1 answer
182 views

A cryptic clue: A thing from far away

Here it is: A thing from far away (Texas, specifically) wraps around and attaches to a weird far gone thing. (9)
user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
222 views

What’s another year to the Moroccans?

Here are some rileys, which lead to a thing, or more properly a Thing, which will be happening, um, come December. So hear the joyous songs of rileys! (Huh? Oh yes, yes… HOW DID I FORGET THAT?) ...
user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why is "necropolis" the answer to "Weird arachnid with venomous tail in the French cemetery"?

This is a clue from the Irish Times cryptic crossword: Weird arachnid with venomous tail in the French cemetery Answer: "necropolis". How was this arrived at?
Paddy's user avatar
  • 91
7 votes
1 answer
248 views

Cryptic Family Reunion: Bashed in vain (Fanmade)

This is inspired by the Cryptic Family Reunion series by Jeremy Dover. There are ten cryptic clues below, and the answers to all of them follow a single theme. The definition of each clue has also ...
oAlt's user avatar
  • 5,686
5 votes
1 answer
232 views

How to clue actors with distinctive names (without giving away who they are)?

I've found myself needing to fill a gap in a cryptic crossword with a word that happens to be the surname of an actor. However the surname they have is very distinctive. As an example, let's say the ...
PuzzlingFerret's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
266 views

Cryptic Family Reunion: Joseph's upset with James (Fanmade)

This is inspired by the Cryptic Family Reunion series by Jeremy Dover. There are ten cryptic clues below, and the answers to all of them follow a single theme. The definition of each clue has also ...
oAlt's user avatar
  • 5,686
2 votes
1 answer
349 views

A cryptic (for fun and diversion)

Okay, here's the cryptic: bbbbbb connect recursively (4) Enjoy!
user avatar

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