Guardian Cryptic #28982

2023-02-01

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

Boob has male excited (4-2)

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4a

Attack American president receiving head from Monica (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An envelope (‘receiving’) of M (‘head from M onica’) in A (‘American’) plus BUSH (either ‘president’). For a start, two clues with remarkable surfaces.

9a

Wife wearing eye make-up, ultimately used something that goes over face (5,6,4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An envelope (‘wearing’) of W (‘wife’) in SEE (‘eye’) plus P (‘make-u P ultimately’) Plus SECOND HAND (‘used’); the ‘face’ in the definitions being of a watch or clock.

10a

Cold beer (6)

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11a

Shambles of a club recalled brawl (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of ‘a’ plus BAT (‘club’) plus TOIR, a reversal (‘recalled’) of RIOT (‘brawl’). The original meaning of shambles.

12a

Heads for Marks and Spencer newer fancy clothing department (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An anagram (‘fancy’) of M A S (‘heads for M arks A nd S pencer’) plus ‘newer’.

14a

Old men by hotel getting tip for trouser press (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of EX (‘old’) plus H (‘hotel’) plus OR (other ranks, ‘men’) plus T (‘tip for T rouser’).

15a

A model lives in the present state (2,2,2)

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18a

Still breaks hip (8)

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21a

Hot air from this duke, essentially lost title (8)

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22a

Did groom turn up by day to accept bride, primarily? (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An envelope (‘to accept’) of B (‘ B ride primarily’) in COME (‘turn up’) plus (‘by’) D (‘day’).

24a

Train set, large circuit to make features of rock? (8,7)

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25a

Struggle to take exam again outside school (6)

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26a

Swiped right, finally put in single name (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An envelope (‘put in’) of T (‘righ T finally’) in SOLE (‘single’) plus N (‘name’).

Down

1d

Leather whip shortly for breaking rules (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

An envelope (‘for breaking’ – ‘for’ seems out of place and unnecessary) of ‘whi[p]’ minus its last letter (‘shortly’) in CODE (‘rules’).

2d

Crack cocaine handed down (5)

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3d

Rise in court: make legal claim about case of racketeering (7)

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5d

Order McDonald’s, along with a drink that’s reduced (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of M (‘McDonald’s’, presumeably the golden arches) plus AND (‘along with’) plus ‘a’ plus TE[a] (‘drink’) minus the last letter (‘that’s reduced’).

6d

Divorces one with troubles (9)

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7d

More attractive darling, inform­ally meeting snogger with no heart (7)

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8d

Sweet English girl (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of E (‘English’) plus CLAIR (‘girl’). I think dodgy on two counts: the girl’s name is generally Claire, and although an eclair is sweet in the sense of sugared, I would think of it as more of a tea-time item than a sweet as dessert (unlike its close relative, the profiterole).

13d

TV men rehearsed moves for play? (3,6)

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16d

Fab McCartney, perhaps with introduction from Ringo (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of STELLA (‘McCartney’, daughter of Paul) plus R (‘introduction from R ingo’).

17d

Closes up damaged uterus following section (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of S (‘section’) plus UTURES, an anagram (‘damaged’) of ‘uterus’.

18d

Came to south on lorry (6)

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19d

Business record of one Conservative aristocrat (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A charade of A (‘one’) plus C (‘Conservative’) plus COUNT (‘aristocrat’).

20d

Go on too long? Left work (7)

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23d

Mark and the others lead? (5)

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