AFR Cryptic (New Year 2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HOTHOUSE
Delicate tube with core measuring one thousandth of an inch (8) HOSE outside THOU
5 STRESS
A spinster’s dislocation is relieved of pain and tension (6) Anagram of A SPINSTERS minus PAIN
9 MOLECULE
Atomic group’s spy deciphered clue (8) MOLE + anagram of CLUE
10 OPIATE
Habit-forming drug, one ingested after surgical procedure (6) (I + ATE) after OP
12 EAGLE
Each golfer regularly recorded shot on course (5) EA + (G)o(L)f(E)r
13 CALLED OUT
Caught, a hoodlum receiving shiner, yelled (6,3) (C + A + LOUT) outside LED
14 BATTEN
Come in down the order with a piece of wood? (6) BAT TEN
15 NEW YEAR
Holiday time organised anywhere with no hotel (3,4) Anagram of ANYWHERE minus H
18 ATHWART
What rebuilt facility is in opposition to (7) Anagram of WHAT + ART
20 CARBON
Element, rubidium, combined with oxygen inside container (6) (RB + O) inside CAN
22 STRATAGEM
Famous guitar fitted with a rock device (9) STRAT + A + GEM
24 PROSE
Experts heard a tedious speech (5) Sounds like PROS
25 BUNDLE
Bread deal arranged without a package (6) BUN + anagram of DE(a)L
26 BAHRAINI
Arab recalled Arab moving around hospital in one (8) ARAB reversed outside H + IN + I
27 EVEN SO
Rewired ovens, charged with energy, should be all the same (4,2) Anagram of OVENS outside E
28 VERY WELL
Healthy expression of agreement (4,4) Double Definition
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HAMPER
Endless bubbly and food selection? (6) c)HAMPER(s
2 TELEGRAPH
Support criminal charge in the distributed communication system (9) LEG + RAP + inside anagram of THE
3 ORCHESTRA STALLS
Great seats or box all stars reserved? (9,6) OR + CHEST + anagram of ALL STARS
4 SILICON
Element twisted in coils (7) Anagram of IN COILS
6 TUPPERWARE PARTY
Set up, for each state representative, creative function designed to sell stuff (10,5) PUT reversed + PER + WA + REP + ARTY
7 ERATO
A time of significance to a Greek goddess (5) ERA + TO
8 SEE STARS
Atrocious actresses without class primarily suffer from a big blow (3,5) Anagram of ACTRESSES minus (S)lass
11 FLAN
Large portion of side dish (4) (FLAN)k
16 ECONOMISE
Green one is upset about minister’s initial budget (9) ECO + [anagram of ONE IS outside (M)inister]
17 PASSABLE
Father’s fur coat is not too bad (8) PAS + SABLE
19 TAGS
Hollow things containing silver marks? (4) T(hing)S outside AG
20 COMPARE
Approach taking into account score in golf match (7) COME outside PAR
21 REFILL
Sports official dealt with ailing replacement (6) REF + ILL
23 RINSE
An amount of water in sewer? (5) wateR IN SEwer

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The Stickler Weekly Status

The Stickler Weekly will take an indefinite break while I sort out some ongoing shoulder, back and neck issues that restrict my time working in front of a computer. These issues have been plaguing me on and off since my IT days in the 1990s, but have recently come to a head with episodes that come on me suddenly and stop me in my tracks. Various physios have tried their best to correct my bad posture that seems to be responsible for nerve damage, but nothing seems to have a lasting effect. I’ve been struggling on, but recent events have been a real cause for concern. Time to get serious.
In addition to medical remedies, I’m planning to set up a standing desk as a trial, the success of which may determine whether I ever write another crossword.

Thanks for your support in the past.

David
The Stickler

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The Stickler Weekly 270 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ROUGH IT
Live basically with dysfunctional group ignoring pressure to strike (5,2) Anagram of GROUP minus P + HIT
5 MUST-SEE
Think about set repaired for essential viewing (4-3) MUSE outside anagram of SET
9 LYCRA
Dressmaker’s finishing obvious in restitching of lacy material (5) dressmake(R) inisde anagram of LACY
10 ESPIONAGE
Secret service, especially one on time (9) ESP + I + ON + AGE
11 CONVEYED
Moved kid looked at end of verse (8) CON + (EYED after V)
12 UPBEAT
Uranium and boron found in organic material is encouraging (6) U + (B inside PEAT)
14 TRIP
Hallucination is nonsense largely (4) (TRIP)e
15 DOORKNOB
Handle party or bash the wrong way (8) DO + OR + (BONK reversed)
18 MISCOUNT
Wrong calculation is checked initially entering horse (8) [IS + (C)hecked] inside MOUNT
19 GENE
Protein molecule is part of oestrogen essentially (4) oestroGEN Essentially
22 AUNTIE
A free person, relatively speaking (6) A + UNTIE
23 PARLANCE
Standard number of shots fired with weapon in a manner of speaking (8) PAR + LANCE
25 HELPED OUT
Mixed up “the dole” with “supplied assistance” (6,3) Anagram of UP THE DOLE
26 GREET
Shake hands and agree, losing a little time (5) AGREE minus A + T
27 SHYSTER
Unscrupulous practitioner is ignored by sister after fling (7) (SISTER minus IS) after SHY
28 DONATED
Gifted university fellow finished a course and died (7) DON + ATE + D
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RELOCATE
Transfer associate holding company up (8) RELATE outside (CO reversed)
2 UNCONDITIONALLY
Sort of induction concerning friend without qualifications (15) Anagram of INDUCTION + ON + ALLY
3 HEATER
Hard consumer could be warmer (6) H + EATER
4 TREMENDOUS
Harassed mentor sued great (10) Anagram of MENTOR SUED
5 MOPE
Move around slowly and aimlessly in vehicle mostly (4) (MOPE)d
6 SLOWPOKE
Plodder talked about mountain-climbing gear? (8) SPOKE outside LOW
7 STATE GOVERNMENT
Strong team event transformed regional authority (5,10) Anagram of STRONG TEAM EVENT
8 EVENTS
A war lost by veteran was changing engagements (6) Anagram of VETERAN WAS minus A WAR
13 CONTRACTED
Called about worker ultimately bound by a legal obligation (10) CONTACTED outside worke(R)
16 ACCIDENT
Chance I’d taken, in a manner of speaking (8) ID inside ACCENT
17 DEMENTED
Soldiers, with time in action, cracked (8) (MEN + T) inside DEED
20 MASHES
Helium kept in large-scale pounds (6) HE inside MASS
21 FLAGON
Amount of wine and spirit put into baked dish (6) GO inside FLAN
24 SOUR
Tart, a starter, possibly, not finished right (4) (SOU)p + R

 

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The Stickler Weekly 270

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 270
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 270
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 269
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

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The Stickler Weekly 270 Clue Hints

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


1-across




11-across


15-across




25-across

27-across

1-down

2-down

6-down




17-down

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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The Stickler Weekly 270 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

There aren’t any extra hints needed this week.

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

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The Stickler Weekly 269 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PEDAL BIN
Cutter turned around inside secure waste disposal unit (5,3) BLADE reversed inside PIN
5 ORACLE
Authority or head of linguistics engaged by expert (6) OR + [(L)inguistics inside ACE]
9 CASINGS
Chap regularly performs covers (7) (C)h(A)p + SINGS
10 PYRAMID
Most of combustible heap surrounded by monumental structure (7) (PYR)e + AMID
11 FEDERALIST
Duke imprisoning corrupt leader, a supporter of unionism (10) FIST outside anagram of LEADER
12 CUBA
Chicago baseball player linked to a West Indian republic (4) CUB + A
13 CHAIN
Actor’s starting in prominent feature series (5) (A)ctor inside CHIN
14 LEBANESE
Poison absorbed by eels unsettled some Asian people (8) BANE inside anagram of EELS
17 CATS-EYES
Motorists see them at night time in action very well (4-4) T inside CASE + YES
18 VISIT
Stay with enigmatic activist ignoring input of a court (5) Anagram of ACTIVIST minuS (A + CT)
21 RAGE
Wild anger shown without reservation ultimately (4) Anagram of ANGER minus reservatio(N)
22 COLLECTION
Company IT unit recalled working group (10) CO + (IT + CELL) reversed + ON
24 TOOTERS
Impatient drivers may be too abrupt when cut off (7) TOO + (TERS)e
25 MATINEE
Covering one born in a daytime delivery (7) MAT + I + NEE
26 RASHLY
Spots lady without notice and without thinking (6) RASH + (LADY minus AD)
27 MILDNESS
Moderation shown by young lady holding large object back (8) MISS outside [L + (END reversed)]
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PACIFIC
A client’s initial condition, shown in picture, is mild (7) [A + (C)lient + IF] inside PIC
2 DISADVANTAGEOUS
Unfavourable and unhappy company transporter, involved in audit, goes abroad (15) (SAD + VAN) inside anagram of AUDIT GOES
3 LONG-RANGE
Label originally on expensive Australian wine is lasting well into the future (4-5) (L)abel + ON + GRANGE
4 INSULT
Newly-formed tribunals not supporting bar’s offence (6) Anagram of TRIBUNALS minus BAR
6 RARE
Sample from vintner, a red, is exceptional (4) vintneR A REd
7 COMPUTER SCIENCE
IT company put in representation of crime scene? (8,7) CO + (PUT inside anagram of CRIME SCENE)
8 ENDGAME
Chess play managed poorly – losing a castle finally (7) Anagram of MANAGED minus A + castl(E)
10 POSTED
Assigned detachment of cadets openly retreated (6) caDETS OPenly
15 ADVOCATED
Advised against entering a gathering with new cadet (9) V inside (A + DO) + anagram of CADET
16 FELONS
Guys carrying on for low criminals (6) FELLOWS with LOW replaced by ON
17 CURATOR
Hound a degenerate, retired superintendent (7) CUR + A + (ROT reversed)
19 TENDERS
Inexperienced seller’s opening bids (7) TENDER + (S)eller
20 ALUMNI
A large tertiary institution accommodating 1000 old students (6) A + L + (UNI outside M)
23 SELL
Market phone’s sound quality (4) Sounds like CELL

 

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The Stickler Weekly 269

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 269
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 269
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 268
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 269 Clue Hints

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


1-across

5-across


11-across



17-across



22-across

25-across

26-across

27-across


2-down



7-down

8-down


16-down

17-down

20-down

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

A type of clue where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

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The Stickler Weekly 269 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

The clues listed here may contain a component not familiar to all outside of Australia.

(click on the clue number to see the inside information)


1-across

3-down

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
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