Guardian Cryptic #29690

2025-05-09

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a
9d

Stable situation giving no cause for alarm (7,2,8,3,6)

Generating...
5a

Coach’s influence on staff (7)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Over in one impressive appearance (4)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Saga editor’s questionable response (3,7)

flowerflowerflower
12a

See 1

13a

White lies circulating amongst band (8)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Drives home taking grand, superior neighbour of 3 (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
16a

Figure location of the Orient Express (5)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Identical complaint preceding crash (1-4)

Generating...

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

I’ve discovered what a T-BONE crash is, which I didn’t know before but I don’t understand the wordplay – please see comment 1

19a

Army command not recommending 3, 27? (5,2,2)

Generating...

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

The opposite of HANDS DOWN (3,27 – I’m not sure about ‘army’, as this is usually a command from robbers, unless we’re supposed to take it as ‘arm-y’

23a

Stretch elastic around it (8)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Primatesick baboongetting blood transfusion (6)

Generating...

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

An anagram (sick) of BaBOON, with the a changed to O, a different blood group

26a

Flirtatious high flier keeps greeting woman (4-6)

Generating...

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

COMET (high flier) round HI (greeting) + HER (woman)

27a

See 3 Down

28a

Prince extremely ethicaldismissive about what’s gone before (7)

Generating...

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

PR (prince) + E[thica]L – I can’t see the rest, I’m afraid – please see comment 14

29a

Is there ultimately a point if the fellow’s gone? (7)

Generating...

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

I saw the well-hidden definition but the wordplay escapes me – please see comments 5 and 7

Down

2d

Common resident of river (7)

flowerflowerflower
3d
27a

Leaves without too much difficulty (5,4)

Generating...
4d

Insult private parts when around such people (7)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Let out? Sounds like fake news (6)

Generating...

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

Sounds (unequivocally) like  ‘unreal’

7d

Appendage (wee to come from end) (6,3)

Generating...

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

I think this is a reference to the children’s rhyme, ‘This little piggy went to market’, where the little pig (toe) cries ‘Wee, wee, wee’ all the way home – please see comment 8

8d

Playing to win in a way (7)

Generating...

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

GAIN (to win) in A ST[reet] (a way)

9d

See 1 Across

15d

Lear on in Playhouse opener could be a one-off (9)

Generating...

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

An anagram (could be) of LEAR ON IN P[layhouse]

18d

Queen not about to admit old king in private area (7)

Generating...

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

Another which has me beaten – please see comments 3 and 5

20d

Rex maybe taking in nude show (7)

flowerflowerflower
21d

Single child mostly locked up but not subjugated (7)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Gave order to Asian accomplished in conversation (6)

flowerflowerflower
25d

Force ‘glamour’ model to cover elbow (5)

Generating...

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

NUDE (‘glamour’ model) round G (force)