Guardian Cryptic #29258

2023-12-20

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Across

7a

Boycott gets 50 and left balls in bag (7)

Generating...

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

BAN (boycott) round L (fifty) + L (left) + OO (balls)

8a

They say sitcom family cuppa has majestic quality (7)

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9a

Knight undressed noblewoman (4)

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10a

Lied about Conservative promises being tasteful (9)

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12a

New? My mistake sending back old club (5)

Generating...

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

A reversal (sending back) of N (new) + OOPS (my mistake); years ago, this old golf club used to feature quite regularly in crosswords – and it was old-fashioned then!

13a

Fair river in China (8)

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15a

In Sweden, I was knocking back drink (4)

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16a

Frightened son leaving to be looked after (5)

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17a

Salmon provided by shop in Kensington (4)

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18a

Persuades wife to pay attention to Dennis (8)

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20a

Asian state content to leave ludicrous targets (5)

Generating...

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

GOA (Asian state) + L[udicrou]S

21a

USA proven to distress star having a meltdown (9)

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22a

Mountain tops in France, usually just ice (4)

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24a

Repeats one's rights during revolting arrest (7)

Generating...

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

A (one) + RR (rights) in a reversal (revolting) of STOP (arrest)

25a

No longer held fun rave with zero dancing (7)

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Down

1d

After excluding two unknowns, group of stars party (4)

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2d

150 may riot over European money for weapon (8)

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3d

Successful in Australia, Kelly's record is revoked (6)

Generating...

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

A reversal (revoked) of NED (Kelly) + LOG (record) – I’m not sure why ‘in Australia’, apart from the reference to Ned Kelly

4d

Before Conservative Party's finished, Johnson finally quit and gave up (8)

Generating...

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

CON (Conservative) + E[n]DED minus n (last letter of Johnson) – I’m sure it’s staring me in the face but I can’t quite see how to fit in the second C or ‘before’ – it’s a great surface, anyway

5d

Various nuts lacking individual taste (6)

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6d

Overseas characters stuff up (4)

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11d

White meat course partially cooked (9)

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12d

Oscar winner shockingly hits man's face (5)

Generating...

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

An anagram (shockingly) of HITS M[an’s] – the clue refers to an incident in the Oscars ceremony where the winner, Will Smith, appeared to hit the presenter, see here

14d

Big actor briefly dropping hot containers (5)

Generating...

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

T [om] [h]ANKS (Big actor, briefly) minus h (hot) – Tom Hanks was the star of the film ‘Big’ – thanks Blaise @11

16d

Big shot getting bowled out in haste (8)

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17d

Mountain climbing? Time for mega-stand (8)

Generating...

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

A reversal (climbing, in a down clue) of ALP (mountain)  + T (time) + FOR + M (mega)

19d

Britain had one politician detained by Ireland (6)

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20d

Relative managed to break into key US city (6)

Generating...

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

RAN (managed) in G (key) + NY (US city)

21d

Playwright was upset about ending of Macbeth (4)

Generating...

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

A reversal (upset) of WAS round macbetH

23d

European agreement on snoring being music (4)

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