Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting

Latest answer — September 01, 2026

3 Down

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Clue explained

HACKSAW is a cutting tool. HACK is a mediocre writer, while a SAW is a saying or proverb.

Clue type:
Definition
A hand-held hacksaw cutting through a metal pipe

Telegraph Cryptic Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, September 01, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Start job on the radio
  2. 4Adult upset teen's mum for fun
  3. 9Over-zealous department – endless debts
  4. 10Manage holding top of shaving brush
  5. 11Gown her husband's taken off, revealing chest
  6. 12Invite cheers returning parcel
  7. 13Admits pale and sickly son moves to the back
  8. 15Bosses welcoming hospital department's trainees
  9. 18Unfortunately, 'e can't deny a shed's leaning
  10. 20Feel hot and sleep at intervals
  11. 23Book about Spanish golfer securing fifth of majors
  12. 24Show consideration for detail
  13. 26Informed American base about military conflict
  14. 27Boxers perhaps constrained by sport
  15. 28Delight chaps with conclusion of art therapy
  16. 29Cadet? Badly behaved

Down

  1. 1Bad actors spoilt television programme, possibly
  2. 2Learner found in extensive hunt
  3. 3Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting
  4. 4Bill hides black paddle on a boat?
  5. 5Parvenus at college? Jerks
  6. 6Thrilled by mention in East Germany
  7. 7Old Frank and Edward cleared up
  8. 8Flower not finally opening
  9. 14Constable could have made this criminal dance with pals
  10. 16Protected the elder's crackers
  11. 17Need bullies regularly removed under school's plan
  12. 19Eagle circles a stone grave
  13. 21Continent without a large country
  14. 22Acknowledgement about Marxist with sex appeal
  15. 23Criticise a shoe initially boxed by cobblers
  16. 25Athlete Chris running away from Premier League team

The answer to “Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting” in the The Telegraph Cryptic crossword is HACKSAW — a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Cryptic crossword on September 1, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 3-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting” answer

HACKSAW (7 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is HACKSAW.

What does HACKSAW mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of HACKSAW is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • a saw with a narrow fine-toothed blade set in a frame, used especially for cutting metal

When else has “Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting” appeared?

The Telegraph Cryptic reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 1, 2026 (most recent) → HACKSAW. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting”?

The answer is HACKSAW, a 7-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Telegraph Cryptic crossword on September 1, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting”?

7 letters: HACKSAW.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Telegraph Cryptic crossword on September 1, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 3-Down.

Can “Mediocre writer saying something that's cutting” have a different answer?

Yes — The Telegraph Cryptic sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Telegraph Cryptic answers?

The full grid for September 1, 2026 is on the Telegraph Cryptic answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Telegraph Cryptic Crossword is published by The Telegraph; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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