Guardian Cryptic #29208

2023-10-23

Solve on Guardian →

Across

7a

Cousin, 4, to report about (8)

flowerflowerflower
9a

A group of directors on a cruise? (6)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Couple I came across going the other way (4)

Generating...

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

A charade of ‘I’ plus TEM, a reversal (‘going the other way’) of MET (‘came across’).

11a

One hands in very skilful lab work (10)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘in’) of I (‘one’) plus MEN (‘hands’) in EXPERT (‘very skillful’).

12a

Fierce type in endless pain seen by doctor (6)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Is adored to bits? That's by the way (8)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Daybreak in Madrid (6)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Supporting one's bottom (6)

flowerflowerflower
20a

Daring chap to stand in for principal? (8)

Generating...

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

Crypticish definition (for the real thing, see 15A).

22a

Vehicle is hotit does this in a puff of smoke? (6)

Generating...

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

A charade of VAN (‘vehicle’) plus ‘is’ plus H (‘hot’); the definition is a reference to the expression “vanish in a puff of smoke”.

23a

Young lads sharing a house perhaps, hopefully in good form (10)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Batter bowled: timber! (4)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Add spices in due time (6)

flowerflowerflower
26a

One animated little firework (8)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Face repair after use (8)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Hurt? Get something from pharmacy (4)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Responsibility for bird (6)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Charlie, not Mike, at front of wedding coach (8)

Generating...

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

MARRIAGE (‘wedding’) with the initial M replaced by C (‘Charlie, not Mike, at front’ – NATO alphabet).

5d

Given duty, sort of chef is up and working (10)

Generating...

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

A charade of COMMIIS (‘sort of chef’, an assistant) plus SI, a reversal (‘up’ in a down light) of ‘is’ plus ON (‘working’). ‘Given’ as an adjective in the definition.

6d

Pressed, I must accompany two guys (6)

Generating...

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

A charade of ‘I’ plus (‘must accompany’) RON ED (‘two guys’).

8d

Former British possession in New York state (6)

Generating...

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

New York is the EMPIRE State (as the Building).

13d

Eco-friendly accommodation, but no one would live in it (10)

flowerflowerflower
16d

In navel diamond perhaps falling (8)

flowerflowerflower
18d

Calamity as Diana succeeded Daisy (8)

Generating...

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

A charade of DI (‘Diana’) plus S (‘succeeded’) plus ASTER (‘daisy’).

19d

Goes sneakily about lifting cutlery (6)

flowerflowerflower
21d

Travel card: one's told to validate it (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Virginia, girl brought up as dependant (6)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Get very hot regularly in Black Sea (4)

Generating...

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

Alternate letters (‘regularly’) of ‘ BlA c K s E a’.