Clue contest No 37
Thu 1 Jan 2026, set byAircon
Introduction
You make ‘em, you break ‘em, but can you set ‘em? RESOLUTIONS. Good luck and happy New Year!
Submit your best cryptic clue for
RESOLUTIONS
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20 entries
What’s made in January? New routines, mostly lost (11)
Anagram ROUTINES LOS(-t)
Busy routines are limiting star's plans (11)
def; plans | ROUTINE* (busy) AROUND (are limiting) SOL (star, the sun's scientific name is Sol))
New year promises fresh stools and urine (11)
STOOLS+URINE* (sorry)
New Year’s frequently forgotten list soon broken – by mid-January? (11)
*[y]E[a]R[s]+LIST+SOON, broken by/containing ~U~
Annual promises to replace Venezuelan leader with son in insurrections (11)
RE(V->S)OLUTIONS
Adjusted in user > tools > display settings (11)
Anagram of in user tools
Iron out less awkward decisions (11)
IRON OUT LESS anagram = Def.
Upset failure working out is adopting new promises to continue? (11)
reversal of LOSER + *OUT IS around N extended def = promises to continue?
Turns with very special outcomes (11)
Def: outcomes. REVOLUTIONS (Turns) with V (very) becoming S (special)
It's hard to keep them from rampant solo sin - true! (11)
(SOLOSINTRUE)*; def = "it's hard to keep them"
Answers that promise more than they deliver? (11)
CD
Multiple definitions on display? (11)
Cryptic def
Firm pledges to change its rules on the 1st of October (11)
Def: "Firm pledges" = anag. of ITS + RULES + ON + O
Soul not initially moving in balance with one on first of six motions (11)
anagram (moving) of soul after removing first letter (not initially) inserted (in) (balance->REST) with (one->I) ON first of Six
Self-imposed rules. And soon it collapses (11)
{RULES (and) SOON IT}* (collapses) = RESOLUTIONS (self-imposed rules)
Diagnoses composition of iron solutes (11)
IRONSOLUTES*; def is diagnoses with a long e
Decisions about answers (11)
Decisions = answer. About (re). Answers (solutions).
Loser’s return to us in confusion, for answers (11)
DEF = “answers”, reversal (return) of LOSER for RESOL + anagram (confusion) of TO US IN for UTIONS
After reject's rejection, cutie won't ask no outsiders for promises (11)
"promises" / UTIONS (cUTIe wONt aSk) comes after RESOL (loser's rejection)
"Work out, run, and no lies," said at the beginning? (11)
run=R; OUT+R+NO+LIES* (work) + (s)aid