Guardian Cryptic #29767

2025-08-07

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Across

1a

Transformative sun dries black hair on head (9)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘transformative’) of ‘sun dries’ plus B (‘black’).

6a

A call just for you from ship in port (4)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Pep up to be a knight (5)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Freeing muscles, really enjoying putting pounds back (9)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Strongman’s betrayer summoned back, left imprisoned (7)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘imprisoned’) of L (‘left’) in DELIAH, a reversal (‘back’) of HAILED (‘summoned’). The definition is a reference to the Bible story of Samson and Delilah in the Book of Judges.

13a

Right to end fuss about suitable plug-in (7)

Generating...

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

An envelope (‘about’) of APT (‘fitting’) in ADO (‘fuss’) plus R (‘right’), with ‘to end’ placing the R at the back.

14a

Absolutely manage without add-on, changing a couple of lines (3,4,3,3)

Generating...

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

A charade of FORGO (‘manage without’) plus ODAND, an anagram (‘changing’) of ‘add-on’ plus ‘a’ plus L L (‘couple of lines’).

17a

Two pitches perhaps player’s first going to book (9,4)

Generating...

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

A charade of MAN’S (‘player’s’) plus FIELD and PARK (‘two pitches perhaps’), for the novel by Jane Austen.

21a

Mortification as horse racing scrapped (7)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘scrapped’) of H (‘horse’) plus ‘racing’.

22a

Ring character has a scrap of cloth, gold fused with navy (7)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Centre of government, a little bitwhat, the lot? (9)

flowerflowerflower
25a

In golf, a very short distance, principally excused (5)

Generating...

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

A charade of G (‘golf’, NATO alphabet) plus I MM ( 1 millimetre, ‘a very short distance’) plus E (‘principally E xcused’), with an &lit definition for a putt so short that the golfer is excused from executing it.

26a

Sound disappointed as vision finally fades (4)

flowerflowerflower
27a

Church office that may require an operation to replace? (9)

Generating...

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

ELDER’S HIP.

Down

1d

Note, top provided to cover base of cookery set (8)

Generating...

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

A charade of SO (‘note’ of sol-fa) plus LID (‘top’) plus IF (‘provided’) plus (‘to cover’) Y (‘base of cooker Y ‘). Missing element added.

2d

One’s dead wicked? (5)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Gang meeting lion suggests a very anxious state (6,2,6)

Generating...

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

In anatomy, a ganglion (‘gang meeting lion’) is a bundle of nerves.

4d

Got to have felt hurt again? (7)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Pollution traps American bear (7)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Spark from fault with steering mechanism, say (9)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Nobel author of old volunteers blood (6)

flowerflowerflower
9d

Cover with sticker that describes an intriguing novel (5-3-6)

flowerflowerflower
15d

Storming around calling for stuff to be brought over (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Understand about gentle power being superficial (4-4)

Generating...

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

A charade of SKINDEE, an envelope (‘about’) of KIND (‘gentle’) in SEE (‘understand’); plus P (‘power’).

18d

Display of enthusiasm for food provided for football crowd? (7)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Sent message to put me up, having gone sick (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Lowers small hood over son (6)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Doubled round one sitting with husband, showing vigour (5)

Generating...

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

A charade of O O (‘doubled round’) plus MP (‘one sitting’ in the House of Commons) plus H (‘husband’).