Guardian Cryptic #29809

2025-09-25

Solve on Guardian →

Across

9a

Turn to gas with Virginia: Prince to speak after Epstein’s introduction (9)

Generating...

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

VA (abbr. for US state Virginia) + P (Prince) + ORATE=”speak”; all after E-[pstein]

10a

Tailor stripped lads before fitting (5)

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11a

Go through torture to acquire answer (7)

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12a

Suggestion of line in tattooist’s work? (7)

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13a

Back to table after ordering cold sweet (5)

Generating...

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

definition: DOLCE can mean “sweet” when describing music the last letter (back) of [tabl]-E, after anagram/ordering of (cold)*

14a

Where one might get shot with beer hosting a party (9)

Generating...

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

definition: PAINTBALL meaning a paintball activity or event, where one might get shot PINT=”beer” hosting A (from surface); plus BALL=”party”

16a

Fix eyes or a butt-lift for American woman’s figure (6,2,7)

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19a

Painkiller, heroin, injected in butt or leg (9)

Generating...

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

definition: endorphins are pain relieving chemicals produced by the brain H (heroin) inside: END=”butt” + OR (from surface) + PIN=”leg”

21a

It might make you go brown when leaving Italy (5)

Generating...

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

definition: a natural laxative S-[I]-ENNA=a shade of “brown”, minus I (Italy)

22a

Beaten with hard truncheon at the start (7)

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23a

Did wear pants, initially, problem solved for clothing (7)

Generating...

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

P-[ants], clothed inside SORTED=expression meaning “problem solved” (similar to e.g. ‘that’s all sorted now’)

24a

Pitch in sports ground confined in extra time (5)

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25a

Country manor in a state, primarily needing repair (3,6)

Generating...

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

anagram/”needing repair” of (manor in a s-[tate])*

Down

1d

Break out again? Screw ignoring guards secured criminal (10)

Generating...

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

definition: the reappearance of an undesirable condition i.e. a break out, again anagram/”criminal” of ( cre secured)*; with cre from [s]- cre -[w] ignoring its guards (outer letters)

2d

Bark on this dog without lead: animal is shaken (8)

Generating...

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

definition: there is bark on a MAGNOLIA tree anagram/”shaken” of ([d]-og animal)*

3d

Search in order to get date (6)

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4d

Tip Kay behind bar (4)

Generating...

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

definition: “Tip” and BANK can mean ’tilt’ K (letter called Kay), after BAN=prohibit=”bar”

5d

One captivated by unfinished drawing: it was discovered in mould? (10)

Generating...

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

definition refers to PENICILLIN being discovered in penicillium mould I=”One” inside PENCILLIN-[g]=”unfinished drawing”

6d

Supports Bill in act of betrayal (8)

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7d

Film on copper from Pennsylvania: American stealing money (6)

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8d

Horny male to droop after drinking time (4)

Generating...

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

definition: a male deer, with horns SAG=”droop” around T (time)

14d

She sees parking spots here when manoeuvring (10)

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15d

Find position practical (3,5,2)

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17d

Delivery firm adopting suitable standards (8)

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18d

Collar on dog for other animal (8)

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20d

Make love: female on vacation with Romeoit could be remote? (6)

Generating...

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

definition: slang for a remote control DO=”Make” + O=”love” (zero score in tennis) + F-[emal]-E vacated of inner letters + R (Romeo, NATO alphabet)

21d

Struggle connecting a neutral line in plug (6)

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22d

Flower on top of wall on climbing plant (4)

Generating...

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

DEE=the river Dee=a ‘flow-er’ plus the top letter of W-[all]; all reversed/”climbing” up

23d

Beach with sun: big deal? (4)

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