Guardian Cryptic #29658

2025-04-02

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Across

1a

One poem filled empty day after sun set (8)

Generating...

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

SOL (sun)+ I (one) + IF (Kipling poem) in D[a]Y

5a

West-facing complex of temples briefly visited by old trainspotter (6)

Generating...

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

O[ld] in reverse of KARNA[K] (Egyptian temple complex)

9a

Rainbow is beginning to shine in reflection of light sourcebulb! (9)

Generating...

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

ARC (rainbow) IS S[hine] in reverse of SUN

11a

Better half’s other half, central? (5)

Generating...

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

HUBBY could mean “like a hub”, i.e. central. I’m not sure about the definition – it could be two (very similar) definitions of a partner, or a joking way for a husband to refer to himself

12a

Mark, cryptically intense? (7,5)

Generating...

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

A cryptic clue for INTENSE could be “Decimal point” meaning IN TENS + E[ast] (compass point)

15a

A bargain when cap removed, great deal (4)

flowerflowerflower
16a

Plant seed covering trail on surface (10)

Generating...

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

NAP (surface of cloth) + DRAG (to trail) in SON (seed, offspring)

18a

I’ve day without a radio broadcast for onscreen recording of thoughts (5,5)

Generating...

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

Anagram of I’VE DAY less A + RADIO

19a

What might reveal a little of thief, I think? (1-3)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Heart-breaking condition caught, result of a combination of knocks? (7,5)

Generating...

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

RICKETS + C[aught] in (“breaking”) CORE (heart)

24a

A pretty oblique mark (5)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Purchasing system brotherhood discussed? (4,5)

Generating...

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

A brotherhood of e.g. monks could be a “male order”

26a

A seaman concerned with reversing mistakes (6)

Generating...

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

Reverse of A TAR RE

27a

Scuffle in breach of contract in settlement of others’ costs (8)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Number penned by Gilbert & Sullivan, uplifting composition (4)

Generating...

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

Reverse of NO in G & S

2d

Flier poet drops in (4)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Club where loon punched by plonker at the back (6)

Generating...

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

[plonke]R in L OON (diving bird) DIVER (diving bird, e.g. a loon)

4d

Sucker digging weeds? (7,6)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Winner primarily missing in person who failsone of those? (2-6)

Generating...

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

Anagram of PERSON WHO less W[inner]

7d

Removing leader in bully, house stops Trump (7,3)

Generating...

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

B[ully] BINGO (the game of House) in RUFF (trump, in card games)

8d

Fictional poison pretty OK in novel (10)

flowerflowerflower
10d

Tricky device, needle-like drill (5,8)

Generating...
13d

Player in pursuit of American vehicles? (5,5)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Rough tongue picked up something alcoholic (4,6)

Generating...

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

HARD + “licker” (tongue)

17d

One Direction welcoming drunk in, OK being most squiffy? (8)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Love dressing king in what would suit knight? (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Tenseas lips? (4)

Generating...

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

Lips are edges, so “as lips” is EDGY

23d

Said right, introduction not needed (4)

flowerflowerflower