Monday 10 October 2011

Clever Charades for Phrases in the Grid

charades-for-phrases Phrases give the crossword setter scope to construct charade clues in ingenious ways. A phrase can be split up such that it reads like a different phrase, making it harder for the solver to reach the answer.

For example, the phrase IN EARNEST can be read as "I near nest", a fact often exploited by crossword setters:

Everyman 3329: I approach home with sincere intentions (2,7)
Times 24113: Not joking, I close refuge (2,7)
FT 13620 (Styx): One close to refuge with sincere intentions (2,7)
Indy 7507 (Nimrod): Seriously close to home, one's in the lead (2,7)

Here are a few such clues for you to solve. Each of them has a phrasal answer and uses the charade clue type to split the phrase into another sequence of words. Enjoy! Post your answers in the comments section.

1. Times 24003: In general area, spotted gap (2,1,5)

2. Times Sunday 4304: Alf's taken up hunting for a sport (4-6)

3. NIE 23-May-09: Behave awkwardly when you get the bill and get put out (3,2)

4. Times 24970: A delicate fabric under discussion  (2,5)

5. FT 13815 (Phssthpok): Square corners supply hard puzzles (5,6)

6. Times 24910: One doesn’t stop bishop wearing old hat extremely rakishly (6-2)

7. Guardian 25439 (Orlando): Period in China, both useful and unpleasant (3,7)

[Update: Answers available in the comments.]

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11 comments

Bhavan said...

1. Times 24003: In general area, spotted gap (2,1,5) A+{S,A,W}HOLE

2. Times Sunday 4304: Alf's taken up hunting for a sport (4-6) FLA<- + {T,RACING}

3. NIE 23-May-09: Behave awkwardly when you get the bill and get put out (3,2) AC+{T,UP}*

4. Times 24970: A delicate fabric under discussion (2,5) A{T,ISSUE}

5. FT 13815 (Phssthpok): Square corners supply hard puzzles (5,6) RIG+H+{T,ANGLES}

6. Times 24910: One doesn’t stop bishop wearing old hat extremely rakishly (6-2) PASSE+R(B)Y

7. Guardian 25439 (Orlando): Period in China, both useful and unpleasant (3,7) {HAN,DY}{NASTY}

Shyam said...

There was this one from TH 10263:

A model lives without undergoing any change (2,2,2)

Crucifer said...

1. As a whole (A+SAW+HOLE)
2. Flat racing (FLA+TRACING)
3. Act up (AC+TUP)
4. At issue (A+TISSUE)
5. ?
6. Passer-by (PASSE+R(B)Y)
7. Han Dynasty (HANDY+NASTY - nice!)

SandhyaP said...

Got only two of them:

Behave awkwardly when you get the bill and get put out (3,2){AC}{T UP<-} / {AC}{T UP*}

A delicate fabric under discussion (2,5) {A}{T ISSUE}

Shyam said...

Thought of another which has topical relevance in India ;)

Beverage and food for stubborn fasters? (4,4)

Shuchi said...

Cracking clue, Shyam!

Varun said...

Had a pleasant time with these on the bus home from work.. thanks Shuchi!

1. AS A WHOLE = A SAW HOLE
3. ACT UP = AC TUP
4. AT ISSUE = A TISSUE
5. RIGHT ANGLES = RIG H TANGLES
7. HAN DYNASTY = HANDY NASTY

Still stuck on 2 and 6:-(

Great clue, Shyam! Was stuck for a while till I got your topical hint!

Shuchi said...

Well solved Bhavan, Sandhya, Crucifer and Varun. I thought #5 and #6 were pretty tough.

@Crucifer: HANDY-NASTY made me smile too.

Zouk Delors said...

I've come to this post in 2020 and have no idea what the answer to Shyam's "cracking clue" is, though I'm guessing it's unlikely to be topical now.

I did work out the one from TH 10263 though, so for the benefit of any other late arrivals who can't work it out, it's:

AS IT IS (A + SIT + IS)

Shuchi said...

@Zouk Delors: Thank you for posting your answer and asking about Shyam's clue. I had to google myself for events happening in October 2011 to recollect what it was.

The answer is TEAM ANNA (TEA + MANNA). In that year, a movement lead by Anna Hazare was going on, in which the members fasted as a form of protest. Those participating were collectively called Team Anna.

Zouk Delors said...

Thanks, Suchi. It was indeed a cracking clue and it was interesting to read about that piece of recent Indian history, which I didn't really follow at the time.Looks like there was a good outcome finally.

Hoping you're well and pleased to find that you're still ready and able to answer queries that arise on the blog, even if there haven't been any new posts for a while (probably because you've already covered every conceivable aspect of cryptic crosswords already!)