Guardian Cryptic #29250

2023-12-11

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Across

7a

Failing to start clipping trial (7)

Generating...

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

[s]-HEARING=”clipping”, missing its first letter / “Failing to start”

8a

Counter on small pool (7)

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9a

Botha's back-tracking dodge? (4)

Generating...

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

PIK’S, reversed/”back-tracking” PIK Botha was a South African politician [wiki]

10a

Void produced by Epstein and Beatles ultimately failing to take moral lead (9)

Generating...

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

anagram/”produced by” (Epstein s )*, using the last/ultimate letter of [Beatle]- s around the lead letter of M-[oral] Brian Epstein [wiki] managed the Beatles

12a

Act as a peacock's prop? (5)

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13a

Hacienda manager trotted around with lion (8)

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15a
17a

Minister realigned Pisa? Very droll! (4,5,4)

Generating...
16a

See 15

17a

See 15

18a

'Marsh crushes political faction' scare (8)

flowerflowerflower
20a

Sly, unsteady boozer, who's quite slim (5)

Generating...

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

anagram/”unsteady” of (Sly)*; plus PH (public house, “boozer” as in a place to drink)

21a
1d

Staff's contribution to papers on Nelson (9)

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22a

Policeman has right timeand gossip! (4)

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24a

Dog that's handy in a laser presentation (7)

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25a

Broadcast rectifying text (7)

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Down

1d

See 21

2d

Already shaved and ready (8)

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3d

Try to make money having lost your shirt? (6)

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4d

Nicely manoeuvres round measure for tolerance (8)

Generating...

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

anagram/”manoeuvres” of (Nicely)*, around EN=”measure” in typography

5d

Talk of leak being suppressed by school (6)

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6d

Units regularly taking drugs (4)

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11d

French city papering over new cracks (9)

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12d

Track suit opening broke (5)

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14d

Run every single stretch (5)

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16d

Disease-causing organismtrack oxygen data (8)

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17d

Unyielding state makes a Republican withdraw from group support (8)

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19d

End of mourning under review, as exemplified in this clue? (6)

Generating...

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

definition: this clue has “mourning” as an example of a gerund, and perhaps also highlights the “End of mourn- ing “, the -ing form typical of gerunds end letter of [mournin]-G + anagram/”review” of (under)*

20d

Following rise of American left, judge is oppressive (6)

Generating...

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

definition: sultry weather is hot, humid, and oppressive US=”American” reversed vertically/”up”; plus L (left) + TRY=put to trial=”judge”

21d

Part of the craft of putting polonium on work dress (4,4)

Generating...
23d

Proceed quickly with opening of gin bar (4)

Generating...

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

definition as in a rung of a ladder, or in a hierarchy RUN=”Proceed quickly” + opening letter of G-[in]