Guardian Cryptic #29771

2025-08-12

Solve on Guardian →

Across

9a

Composer going round end of The Strand (5)

Generating...

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

[th]E in BACH

10a

Deviation from a straightold city tax to be invested in remedy (9)

Generating...

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

UR (old city) + VAT (tax) in CURE

11a

Odd renovated jet, say, on estate, possibly as fun ride (6,3)

Generating...
12a

Doctor also called inside city (5)

flowerflowerflower
13a

At which Blackpool is the main team (7)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Shads sweat it out (7)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Fool around next to Gulf (5)

flowerflowerflower
18a

Drive home over a month (3)

flowerflowerflower
20a

Propose a pill when temperature’s taken (5)

Generating...

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

TABLET less the second T. Table has almost the exact opposite meaning in the US, where it’s “to postpone discussion for some time or indefinitely”

22a

Eastern politician wrong to eject Republican leader (7)

Generating...

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

E + MP + E[R]ROR

25a

Confront detective at party (7)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Digs secondary rock group? (1,3,1)

Generating...

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

The primary group of rocks could be BAND A, so…

27a

Old-fashioned stage’s position on field (6,3)

Generating...
30a

Sweet old men, unkempt with tie cut off (5,4)

Generating...
31a

Succeed effortlessly when in bed (5)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Live in a dream, initially sleeping? (4)

Generating...

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

BE (live) in A D[ream]

2d

Country boy at day’s end: traditional scourge of 13ac/26ac guests? (8)

Generating...

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

LAND (country) + LAD + [da]Y – referring to the traditional fierce landlady of a SEASIDE B AND B

3d

Ball caught by female trainer? (4)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Treat unnamed Crimean wounded outside the church (3,5)

Generating...

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

CE in anagram of CRIMEAN less N

5d

Politician on way backthreat to the cabinet? (3,3)

Generating...

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

Reverse of TORY + RD (road, way)

6d

Short-lived construction scandal set to blow up (10)

flowerflowerflower
7d

It contains rain a lot (6)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Jack, always against leaving scoff (4)

Generating...

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

J[ack] + EVER less V (versus, against)

13d

Suit-shortening tool (5)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Etching: ‘In Bed over Sunday in Georgian Capital’ (10)

Generating...

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

S[unday] in IN CRIB + IN + G[eorgian] – no need to know about either Tbilisi or Atlanta

16d

Hull put under fire (5)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Observer upset about crack supplies again (2-6)

Generating...

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

QUIP in reverse of SEER

21d

Love mixing with a bad lot? Just what the cruise company wants! (8)

Generating...

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

Anagram of O (love) + A BAD LOT

23d

Hat, one switched between parents (6)

Generating...

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

Reverse of AN (one) in PA + MA

24d

Holiday spot needing to make new arrangements (6)

flowerflowerflower
26d

Dance and cry loudly to audience (4)

flowerflowerflower
28d

A sticky sweet? (4)

flowerflowerflower
29d

Water etc with this added would create a scandal (4)

Generating...

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

Reference to the WaterGATE scandal, and others named with the same suffix