Sack staff in private?

Latest answer — September 04, 2026

17 Across

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Clue explained

RIFLEMAN is a private soldier armed with a rifle, hence “private?” in the definition. RIFLE means “sack” or search through, and MAN is staff or provide with a person: RIFLE + MAN.

Clue type:
Definition
A soldier carrying a rifle, representing a rifleman.

Times Cryptic Crossword

This clue's Friday, September 04, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Greeter welcoming round first of party people with a reservation
  2. 3Excited by a seal and mate, possibly in deep water
  3. 10Get some milk out and turn in after hours
  4. 11Dull American service is defended by leading pair of theologians
  5. 12Old Cock Inn did teas brewed like some beers
  6. 13Feature of River Don ultimately lacking character
  7. 14Article on larvae characteristic of ill health somewhere in Africa
  8. 17Sack staff in private?
  9. 18He makes weapons that hurt you once invading Britain
  10. 21Humour husband after son cracks puzzles? Fight!
  11. 23Experienced sailor waving to lads touring lake
  12. 24Particular habit set back you and me
  13. 25Republican going into clear lead is an irritation
  14. 26Four different points in report

Down

  1. 1Picked up all beef crumbs
  2. 2Hypocrite from work’s kisses upset fine female at home
  3. 4Cleans feathers on swan’s flanks
  4. 5Periodically flog rubbish for one flipping dump
  5. 6Minor actresses cast for director
  6. 7What pretender is expecting to do even as force is beginning to rise?
  7. 8Spiky sort from Australia had nice moves
  8. 9Do not say no to bandage on part of foot
  9. 15First-class menu with tiny changes very soon
  10. 16Get server’s attention, wanting one drink
  11. 17Vehicle reversing over my new fur
  12. 19Works at last perhaps to add to residence housing despicable person
  13. 20Reptiles biting top of umbelliferous plant
  14. 22Piece of gossip is somewhat recondite

The answer to “Sack staff in private?” in the The Times Cryptic crossword is RIFLEMAN — a 8-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 4, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 17-Across. 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.

“Sack staff in private?” answer

RIFLEMAN (8 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 RIFLEMAN.

What does RIFLEMAN mean?

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

(noun)

  • a soldier armed with a rifle, especially a private in a rifle regiment
  • a very small, short-tailed, greenish-yellow songbird which feeds on insects on tree bark, native to New Zealand

When else has “Sack staff in private?” appeared?

The Times 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 4, 2026 (most recent) → RIFLEMAN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Sack staff in private?”?

The answer is RIFLEMAN, a 8-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 4, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Sack staff in private?”?

8 letters: RIFLEMAN.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Times Cryptic crossword on September 4, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 17-Across.

Can “Sack staff in private?” have a different answer?

Yes — The Times 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 Times Cryptic answers?

The full grid for September 4, 2026 is on the Times Cryptic answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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

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