Decryptic #34 - 31st July 2026
Solution & wordplay explained · Published 31 July 2026
The solved grid and a clue-by-clue explanation of every piece of wordplay in this Decryptic daily. It's a past puzzle, and the archive lets you play older crosswords. Today's crossword is always free to play.
The solved grid
1M
E
2A
N
3E
S
4T
5R
E
6M
A
P
A
L
A
A
E
O
7R
E
A
S
S
U
M
E
S
8I
T
9S
S
M
E
A
R
P
10H
O
E
11L
O
12C
A
L
C
A
L
L
M
D
O
E
I
13A
V
A
14P
U
N
T
S
15L
E
T
L
O
G
A
T
16L
O
17O
K
S
H
A
R
18P
19P
O
I
O
X
A
A
P
C
20W
E
B
21D
R
22U
M
S
T
I
C
K
O
A
P
T
N
E
23C
O
W
L
S
24S
L
E
I
G
H
T
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Across
1 Across Mean set, rearranged, describes the least generous (7) → MEANEST Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “mean set”.
5 Across Chart again using a musical note and a diagram (5) → REMAP Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 2 and 3 letters long.
7 Across Resumes as, in disarray, taking control once more (9) → REASSUMES Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “resumes as”.
8 Across Found in hit stains, belonging to it (3) → ITS Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “hit stains”.
10 Across Weeder hides nothing inside him (3) → HOE Container
Put a 1-letter run inside a 2-letter word.
11 Across District, briefly, with aluminium, Celsius and everything, describes a nearby phone conversation (5,4) → LOCAL CALL Charade
Join four pieces end to end, 3, 2, 1 and 3 letters long.
13 Across Actress Gardner hides within Javanese art (3) → AVA Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “Javanese”.
14 Across Kicks found within spun tsar's saga (5) → PUNTS Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “spun tsar”.
15 Across Allow, or rent out property (3) → LET Double definition
Look for two different meanings of the same word.
16 Across In chaos, shark loop reveals the urge to hurry (4,5) → LOOK SHARP Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “shark loop”.
19 Across Traditional dish seen in a cook poised to serve (3) → POI Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “poised”.
20 Across Spider's trap, rising from a bewildering opening (3) → WEB Reversal
Reverse a run of letters to build the answer, which begins with “W”.
21 Across Chicken leg formed from oil barrels plus a brief moment (9) → DRUMSTICK Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 5 and 4 letters long.
23 Across Monks' hoods formed as mountain passes surround a watt (5) → COWLS Container
Put a 1-letter run inside a 4-letter word.
24 Across Dexterity shown by a sled hauling a tonne (7) → SLEIGHT Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 6 and 1 letters long.
Down
1 Down Sweet treat found near swamp with a flowering plant (11) → MARSHMALLOW Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 5 and 6 letters long.
2 Down California city found in gala medallion display (7) → ALAMEDA Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “gala medallion”.
3 Down Every artist sketches every landscape initially upon this support (5) → EASEL Initialism
Take the first letter of each: Every, Artist, Sketches, Every, Landscape.
4 Down Scottish cap seen within stamina reserves (3) → TAM Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “stamina”.
5 Down Sealers, oddly rearranged, offer secondhand deals (7) → RESALES Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “sealers”.
6 Down Doctor followed by retirement account gives a Scottish name (5) → MOIRA Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 2 and 3 letters long.
9 Down Crack open a fine, voting across party lines (5,6) → SPLIT TICKET Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 5 and 6 letters long.
12 Down Tall drum, or a line dance (5) → CONGA Double definition
Look for two different meanings of the same word.
14 Down Sad soap, mixed up, hosts Mexican Christmas celebrations (7) → POSADAS Anagram
Rearrange the letters of “sad soap”.
15 Down One circuit followed by a ringing sound describes licking up (7) → LAPPING Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 3 and 4 letters long.
17 Down Animal tied in a knot forms a meander (5) → OXBOW Charade
Join two pieces end to end, 2 and 3 letters long.
18 Down Fake gem, or a thorough thrashing (5) → PASTE Double definition
Look for two different meanings of the same word.
22 Down Boosts hidden in cup station's queue (3) → UPS Hidden word
The answer is hidden inside “cup station”.