Crossword Help

Fill in the grid using the clues given at the top of the screen.
Enter your letters using the keyboard (or numberpad, just like texting). Use DEL or space to clear away mistakes.

Zoom the grid in or out using a two-finger pinch.

If you prefer to work through the list of clues, then select 'Clue list' from the menu.
It displays the list of Across and Down clues, which you can fill in.
Press 'Grid' to get back to the main crossword grid.

Use 'Check answers' in the Options menu to find how you are progressing. You can also choose to see where your mistakes are.
If you're really stuck - use 'Reveal Letter' or 'Reveal Word'.
If you have gnashed mightily and have submitted to your frustration, then click on 'Reveal whole puzzle'.

'Clear whole puzzle' in the Reveal / Clear menu clears the whole puzzle, so you can start afresh.

Your answers are saved regardless of how you exit the app, although pulling out the battery part-way through a puzzle probably won't help your chances of finishing it :-)

For a simple introduction to cryptic crosswords, read the 'Tutorial' in the Options menu.

Solving Crosswords

There are several types of crossword clues. These include:

Simple clues:
Not very interesting but very easy.
'Feline pet' (3) = CAT

Double Clues
A bit more complicated than simple ones. These put together two ideas to hide the word(s).
'Driving through a watery road' (4) = FORD

Anagrams
These rearrange the letters in the clue to give the answer. You often get a hint that its an anagram with words like 'confused', 'broken', 'arrange', 'upset(s)' or 'muddled' being used, sometimes with the direct hint '(Anag.)'. 'Arrange a trunk call to the panel' (8) = ELEPHANT

Cryptic
These use a play on words where a double meaning is involved.
'Cost of not sitting' (8,6) = STANDING CHARGE. This type of clue can be very complicated.

Sound Clues
These often use phrases such as 'sounds like' or 'we hear' The answer is found by thinking about how the clue's words sound. The answer may be straightforward or rely on a pun.
'The king has no successor, we hear' (4) = BALD (No heir = No hair)

Hidden Words
These clues take letters or parts of words to build up the answer.
'I see eager soldiers implement a new formation' (8) = REGIMENT

Crossword Jargon
(Anag.), 'broken', 'confused' or 'muddled' are obvious hints of an anagram, but there is other jargon.

Numbers often refer to their Roman equivalents, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500 and M=1000.

The sporting connection for 'love' or 'a duck' will give 'O'. 'North', 'South' etc. can signify 'N', 'S', etc. and are used with other jargon such as 'in' or 'embraces', see below.

Many abbreviations are common: 'quiet(ly)' or 'soft(ly)' = 'p' from the music term piano, similarly 'loud(ly)' or 'strong(ly)' = 'f' from forte.

Words such as 'embraces', 'surrounds' or 'in' suggest that a one part of the clue or even a single letter is taken and put in between other letters. 'The Parliamentarian surrounds a duck' (3) = 'MOP'.

The words 'in' and 'about' are used in different ways. 'In' can mean that the answer is hidden in the clue,
'A long time in a dungeon' (3) = EON or it can be used to simply make the clue read better.

'About' can be used to show that one word will be split and put around another.
'Smells writing in the bee's attack' (8) = STINKING. Or 'about' can just be used to make the clue read better.

There are many frequently used abbreviations used to help build up words. Some of these include 'Navy' = RN, 'Engineers' = RE, 'Conservative' = C, 'Doctor' = DR or GP, 'Resistance' = OHMS = On Her Majesty's Service, 'Current' = AMP, and so on. The use of a proper noun or name may signal that an abbreviation is called for.

Good Luck!

About

This crossword was designed and developed by Teazel Limited.

The puzzle data and design is copyright Teazel Limited, and may not be used in any other product without permission.

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