Prussian blue also features in our pick of the best cryptic clues
In the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners’ series. The setter’s name often links to an interview with him or her, in case you feel like getting to know these people better.
22acPart of educational foundation improperly agreedto alter mark (7)
[ wordplay: one of the three Rs (‘part of educational foundation’) + anagram of (‘improperly’) AGREED ]
[ R + EGRADE ]
[ definition: to alter mark ]
7dMight oral be getting reviewedbecause of this? (9)
[ wordplay: anagram (‘be getting reviewed’) of MIGHTORAL ]
[ definition: this ]
1/14acPoor Joe B getting totally disheartened? Admirationoften expressed for his opponent (2,5,1,5,3)
[ wordplay: anagram (‘poor’) of JOE & B & start and end letters of (‘disheartened’) TOTALLY & ADMIRATION ]
[ anagram of JOEBTYADMIRATION ]
[ definition: extract from Trump speeches (‘often expressed for his opponent’) ]
You had a lot of really nice people running our country over the years. Perhaps I’m not nice, but I’m doing a great job for you. (Applause.) True. Well, it’s true.
5acNon-white group embracing, totally, golf and tennis perhaps (4,4)
[ wordplay:abbrev. for ‘black, Asian and minority ethnic’ (‘non-white group’) surrounding (‘embracing’) synonym for ‘totally’ & ‘golf’ in Nato alphabet ]
[ BAME surrounding ALL & G ]
[ definition: tennis perhaps ]
A slogan that became an acronym that became a word that begat another word
14ac In acerbic manner, money invested in presidential coinage? (8)
[ wordplay: synonym for ‘money’ insideTrump phrase (‘presidential coinage(?)’) ]
[ TIN in BIGLY ]
[ definition: in acerbic manner ]
