These are few random examples of cryptic clues and the answers and explanations that Crossword Maestro gives. It should give you some idea of the huge variety of clues that the software can help you understand. Notice how the software can often find the right answer and give an excellent explanation even when it doesn't understand every word of the clue.
Toxic metal, as opposed to tin abandoned by English (8)
ANTIMONY Confidence: 100%
'toxic metal' is the definition.
I am not sure about the 'toxic' bit but 'antimony' can be an answer for 'metal'.
'opposed to tin abandoned by english' is the subsidiary indication.
'opposed to' becomes 'anti'
'tin' becomes 'money'
'abandoned by' indicates letters should be taken away.
'english' becomes 'e'
'money' with 'e' removed is 'mony'
'anti'+'mony'='antimony'
'as' is the link.
Restricting one with Tim playing in the heather (8)
LIMITING Confidence: 100%
'restricting' is the definition.
'one with tim playing in the heather' is the subsidiary indication.
'one' becomes 'i'
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'playing' indicates an anagram.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'the heather' becomes 'ling'
'i' after 'tim' is 'timi'
'timi' anagrammed gives 'miti'
'miti' placed inside 'ling' is 'limiting'
Well-groomed rough goes in front of Elizabeth (7)
SOIGNEE Confidence: 95%
'well-groomed' is the definition.
'rough goes in front of elizabeth' is the subsidiary indication.
'rough' indicates an anagram.
'front of' indicates one should take the first letters.
The first letter of 'elizabeth' is 'e'
'goes'+'in'='goesin'
'goesin' anagrammed gives 'soigne'
'soigne'+'e' is 'soignee'
Note in sound money (3)
DOH Confidence: 51%
'note' is the definition.
'sound money' is the subsidiary indication.
'sound' indicates a 'sounds like' clue.
'money' becomes 'dough'
'dough' sounds like 'doh'
'in' is the link.
Study frenetic circle around one making hundreds and thousands? (12)
CONFECTIONER Confidence: 93%
'one making hundreds and thousands?' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the
definition.
'study frenetic circle around' is the subsidiary indication.
'study' becomes 'con'
'circle' becomes 'o'
'around' indicates an anagram.
'frenetic'+'o'='frenetico'
'frenetico' anagrammed gives 'fectioner'
'con'+'fectioner' is 'confectioner'
Spanish drink has fermentation of grain in it (7)
SANGRIA Confidence: 100%
'spanish drink' is the definition.
I am not sure about the 'spanish' bit but 'sangria' can be an answer for 'drink'.
'fermentation of grain in it' is the subsidiary indication.
'fermentation of' indicates an anagram.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'it' becomes 'sa'
'grain' anagrammed gives 'angri'
'angri' placed inside 'sa' is 'sangria'
'has' is the link.
Taste he developed, beginning to esteem works of art (8)
AESTHETE Confidence: 65%
'taste he developed beginning to esteem works of art' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the
definition.
'taste he developed beginning to esteem' is the subsidiary indication.
'developed' indicates an anagram.
'beginning to' indicates one should take the first letters.
The first letter of 'esteem' is 'e'
'taste'+'he'='tastehe'
'tastehe' anagrammed gives 'aesthet'
'aesthet'+'e' is 'aesthete'
Kind of sugar plum surprisingly enough (4)
LUMP Confidence: 86%
'kind of sugar' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one
could define the other.
'plum surprisingly enough' is the subsidiary indication.
'surprisingly enough' indicates an anagram.
'plum' anagrammed gives 'lump'
I have got jug at home - heed our rollicking. (Dai may sing this) (5,2,1,4,5,7)
GUIDE ME O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH Confidence: 99%
'this' is the definition.
I don't know anything about the answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this
definition.
'i have got jug at home heed our rollicking dai may sing' is the subsidiary indication.
'i have got jug at home heed our' anagrams to 'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah'.
However, I am not sure how the anagram is indicated.
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