Guardian Cryptic #29780

2025-08-22

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

Import notice on empty crate, should that be possible for me to pack it? (12)

Generating...

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

SIGN (notice) + IF I CAN (should that be possible for me) + C[rat]E

9a
10a

A pretence, kidnap, conduit other-worldly? (5,9)

Generating...
10a

See 9

11a

Survivor of battle with prime minister leaves (7)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Somewhere in Serbia, denied entry to another country, Germany (4,3)

flowerflowerflower
13a

European argument’s back: radio equipment is put on for shock jock? (10)

Generating...

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

POLE (European) + MIC (radio equipment) + IS + [argumen]T

15a

Muck, say, in unopened passage (4)

flowerflowerflower
18a

See 24 Down

19a

Earning gift, romantic admits that brought pain (5,5)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Hunter of Welsh snakes (3-4)

flowerflowerflower
24a

A retreat by yours truly, most uncharitable (7)

Generating...

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

ME (yours truly) + A NEST (a retreat)

25a

Trouble seeing image ultimately, OK, focus! (9)

Generating...

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

[imag]E + YES (OK) + TRAIN (focus)

26a

The same outrageous documentation sent back (5)

Generating...

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

A reversal (sent back) of OTT (outrageous) + ID (documentation)

27a

Local boy here, I’m crazy for Hollywood’s plutonium blonde? (12)

Generating...

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

BAR (local) + BEN (boy) + an anagram (crazy) of HERE I’M for this 2023 phenomenon

Down

1d

Trace evil farmer via gossip? (9)

Generating...

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

Sounds (to some) like (via gossip) sin (evil) + tiller (farmer)

2d

Game well beyond drunk couple? (3,5)

flowerflowerflower
3d

A nine, that’s one over the eight, silly (5)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Batting accomplished as I played for country (9)

Generating...

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

IN (batting) + DONE (accomplished) + an anagram (played) of AS I

5d

A squeeze getting a hundred in anteroom (6)

Generating...

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

A LOVE (a squeeze) round C (a hundred) I haven’t found this definition anywhere – more usually a recess in a wall, or similar

6d

11 bags elected for change (5)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Bitter blow? (6)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Anxious, I originally dropped grandma’s eggs (2,4)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Knackered in fact having caught race leader (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Something for the wet, sweet and sour balls (9)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Anyhow, currency the cause of fission? (2,6)

flowerflowerflower
18d

Motor mogul being on another planet in old banger? (6)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Bath liquid and meat in container with a lid? (6)

flowerflowerflower
21d

Vessel for water I see bubbling up? (3,3)

Generating...

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

A reversal (bubbling up) of BUTT (vessel for water) + OH (I see) – another clue as definition, I think

23d

Bottom on fire, up-end so be it? (5)

Generating...

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

A reversal (up) of AMEN (so be it) + end of [fir]E – and another!

24d
18a

How might one make teamand what to make of losers? (9)

Generating...