Guardian Cryptic #29832

2025-10-22

Solve on Guardian →

Across

7a

With nothing to hide, how Scotsman may appear an explosive force? (7)

Generating...

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

KILT ON (“how Scotsman may appear”) with O hidden [ to hide ]

8a

Road winding past average Spanish hotel (7)

Generating...

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

*(road) [anag: winding ] past PAR (“average”) A parador is normally a historical building that has been converted into tourist lodgings.

9a
14d

Curse when e-number found in French drink (4,5)

Generating...
10a

Friends, say, in water doing the backstrokeneat! (2,2,5)

Generating...

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

SITCOM (“Friends, say”) in <=SEA (“water”, doing the backstoke , i.e. going backwards)

12a

Fun solve, reportedly? (5)

Generating...

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

Hophone/pun/aural wordplay [reportedly] of CRACK (“solve”)

13a
6d

Opts for toys? (8,4)

Generating...
15a
24a

I stick it in melon for European event (4,7)

Generating...
16a

Quagmire’s fenced off in spring (5)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Ballet move worked at when back gone (4)

Generating...

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

PLIE (d) (“worked at”, when back (i.e. last letter) gone )

18a

Much appreciated boxes or drawer for dish (8)

Generating...

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

TA (“much appreciated”) boxes OR + TILL (“drawer”)

20a
5d

Welshman in poet, boor on the way? (5,3,3)

Generating...
21a

Male with fleet at seahow might one exit? (5,4)

Generating...

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

STAG (“male”) with *(fleet) [anag: at sea ]

22a
21d

Pointed fastener on evening dress in sharp spiral (8)

Generating...
24a

See 15

25a

Cocktail: one with gin stirred up about right (7)

Generating...

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

*(one gin) [anag: stirred up ] about R (right)

Down

1d
17d

Wearisome trash talk with pained crying (4,8,5,3)

Generating...
2d

Musical expression in Muse who owned a Lambretta? (8)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Design of a prophet? (6)

flowerflowerflower
4d

See 1

5d

See 20 Across

6d

See 13 Across

11d

One isn’t lost, door found (9)

Generating...

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

I + *(isnt) [anag: lost ] + GATE (“door”)

12d

Such in our trousers? (5)

flowerflowerflower
14d

See 9 Across

16d

Newscast shot? (8)

flowerflowerflower
17d

See 1

19d

Emperor, king in empty town (6)

Generating...

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

RAJA (Indian “king”) in [ empty ] T (ow) N

20d

Flag featuring late monarch (6)

flowerflowerflower
21d

See 22 Across

23d

Isle where an attention seeker turned up (4)

Generating...

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

<=AN OI (a noise made to draw attention, so “an attention seeker”, turned up )