Guardian Cryptic #29753

2025-07-22

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Across

7a

So, Tutu’s Q&A challenged how things are (6,3)

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8a

Writing ‘Happy Birthday’ or something else that’s sweet (5)

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10a

Having disrobed, Bea Arthur lit wee pipe (7)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘lit’) of ‘Arthur’ plus ‘[B]e[a]’ mimus its outer letters (‘having disrobed’).

11a

Start to consume last of fine Rioja (Spanish red) (3,4)

Generating...

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

A charade of E A (‘last of fin E Rioj A ‘) plus TINTO (‘Spanish red’ wine made from Garnacha grapes).

12a

Confers great honour upon what foreign actor does (4)

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13a

Lie about where the booze is stored: that’ll get the message across (5-5)

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15a

Quiche Eaters Society included Amol Rajan etc? (7)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘included’) of S (‘society’) in NEW MEN (‘quiche eaters’ – a oblique reference to men embracing their feminine side, symbolised by quiche as a supposedly feminine food).

16a

Lift from journalistic triumph in court (5,2)

Generating...
18a

Protective material later found to be explosive? (6,4)

Generating...

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

I suppose this refers to the popping of used wrap.

21a

Lead character in Zorba? (4)

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23a

‘Aviatrix’, very cancelled, needing replacementbut what’s she piloting? (3,4)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘needing replacement’) of ‘a[v]iartix’ minus th V (‘very cancelled’).

24a

Regular characters in Jamaican On Ice (7)

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25a

Italian madam said something like ‘sheesh’ (5)

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26a

Fluid words to live by, bold in retrospect: ‘Let’s drink!’ (7,2)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘in retrospect’) of PUS (‘fluid’) plus MOTTO (‘words to live by’) plus B (‘bold’)

Down

1d

Pâtissiers’ moral conduct, as expressed by the Reverend: bravo! (4,1,3)

Generating...

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

The Reverend must be William Archibald Spooner, and the spoonerism is BAKER TOW; BAKER for ‘pâtissiers’ is fine, but how do we get from ‘moral conduct’ to TOW? All I can think of is to change the pronunciation to give TOE, as in toe the line.

2d

Unkempt, like a US president on two separate occasions? (5)

Generating...

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

A reference to US presidents George H W Bush and his son George W Bush.

3d

Part of the problem: workshop inquorate without rector (8)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘workshop’) of ‘inquo[r]ate’ minus the R (‘without rector’). ‘Inquorate’ means lacking the number for a quorum.

4d

One who’ll have to share is strangely heroic (6)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘strangely’) of ‘heroic’.

5d

Against welcoming riotous rowdy musicians (9)

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6d

Singer allowed in pub? Quite the reverse (6)

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7d

One listening to ideas yawning audibly? (8,5)

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9d

Grilling technique in which heat regularly turned up? (4,3,3,3)

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14d

Have doubts and cover entirety of ‘Bad’ spa town that’s upwardly mobile (5,1,3)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘that’s upwardly mobile’ in a down light) of TAR (‘cover’) plus ALL (‘entirety’) plus EMS (‘Bad spa town’ – Bad Ems in Germany).

16d

This may put you on edge: small Tex-Mex pancake stuffed with inappropriate meat (8)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘stuffed with’) of CAT (‘inappropriate meat’) in S (‘small’) plus TACO (‘Tex-Mex pancake’).

17d

Plan some ghastly words in excess (8)

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19d

I’m surprised to be in large buildings supplying financiers (6)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘to be in’) of O (‘I’m surprised’) in BARNS (‘large buildings’).

20d

Welsh struck by Yorkshire seaside town (6)

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22d

One day in Paris, scratching rear that’s pear-shaped (5)

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