GIANT CROSSWORD CRYPTIC
Choose between cryptic and quick clues to tackle the Giant crossword – both lead to the same answers.
ACROSS
12 For a little while put on dance music (6,5)
13 At “an abundance of”, we
come to a grinding halt (6) 14 Determined, on finding
nobody at home (3-3)
16 Not sharp, even (4)
17 Prepared to consent,
just to be pleasant (9)
18 Give to, but everybody
has to return (5)
19 When we are around,
is sensible (4)
20 With a hollow centre,
unlike “87” (9)
22 Have a drink, good
gracious, after the game (5) 23 ‘Already taken” is said
on behalf of (6,3)
27 Attack cages filled
with poultry (7)
30 Weight is the recurrent
theme (6)
31 Called for some
oranges (4)
32 A huge great gnat
flying around one (5)
35 Give birth to an animal
at the zoo (4)
36 Redoing the outside
is boring (7) 38 The day before I have
to take the plunge (4)
39 Answer “The priest is
worried about nothing” (7) 42 A large snake! Run! (6)
45 Back again, in a cap (5)
46 Struck, but it didn’t
remain alight (4,3)
47 Lie back round about five,
when it’s really bad (4)
48 Vote, we’re told,
for a Slav (4)
50 When the ship had
gone off, all in (7)
52 Rebels against the
increases (5)
54 Lax again, fail to notice (6) 56 Was told a number
were on the payroll (7)
57 Nearly all drain off,
so it’s dry (4)
59 What will it do when it
catches the insect? (7)
61 Just a moment,
bloodsucker! (4)
64 Spots the people who wish
to remain inconspicuous (5) 66 Comfortable when the
heater’s back (4)
67 Very many, indeed,
are still secrets (6)
69 Continue to be
enterprising (2-5)
72 Small, unlike the tengallon hat (4-5)
73 Relieve everybody, yes (5) 74 Was enough for all
one called on (4,5)
79 Go back for bananas (4) 81 Many a tear has been
shed by mother (5)
82 Giving the impression
one’s removing (6,3)
83 A sharp “That’s
fattening!” (4)
85 Snaps the crevasses (6) 86 A slight burst of sun flickeringly lit the exterior (6)
87 With molten interior,
anything but cold (4-7)
DOWN
1 Leave with the man (4) 2 He’s objecting
about the fat (6)
3 Happen to be the fellow
who has everything (6) 4 Quickly I again put in
“the loveliest” (7)
5 Expensive to
marinate in (5)
6 Set on, it was
established (10) 7 Jump right over it,
understood? (5)
8 Colour of the oyster
satin? (5,4)
9 Mean, you grasp,
to have some (7)
10 When the animal
gets up, run (4)
11 Attributes to, when one makes a written record of (4,4)
15 A “sure to be plentiful” (6) 21 The cockney has gone
in here to get rid of (5)
24 Is one to restore order in it,
though it’s unpleasant? (7) 25 A funny mood? (6)
26 Forced to, the doctor
cut the vein (6)
28 It is upset, angry
and fed up (5)
29 Spoil? Nonsense! (3)
33 Weirdo who is, though
strange, fun (7)
34 Mechanic who’s not a square peg in a round hole? (6)
37 When coming back, can
get the material (5)
40 Scores – or does
one’s best to (5)
41 Once playing outside, the
sun will give comfort to (7) 43 Only a man, single (5)
44 Teased, as Cinderella
was (6)
46 Is effective in the factory (5) 49 Holding a man?
That’s serious (7)
51 Generally amending the
first two thirds to annoy (6) 53 Stands when there
are seats (6)
55 A lighter just like the
other one? (5)
58 Have the stand-in say
lines? Nonsense! (6-4)
60 A question of identity (3) 62 Can I build a hotel nestling
in the mountains? (5)
63 Not convinced, is
irresolute (9)
65 Hints from one’s
best friends (8)
68 Follows the lines (6)
70 Diane’s the girl to
get rid of (7)
71 Announcements
about booms? (7)
75 Sweet to the fellow
taking charge (6)
76 It’s wrong to shout and
create an uproar (6)
77 It shows you’ve made a mistake in being peevish (5)
78 Give the key to before
you break down (5) 80 Would it cheer up an American downand-out? (4)
84 Possibly does up
in a rush (4)