Guardian Cryptic #29886

2025-12-24

Solve on Guardian →

Across

8a

Bit of drink to convey threat to Aussie, supposedly (4,4)

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9a

Glimpse gold-plated seat missing rear (6)

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10a

See 24

11a

Son unenthusiastic about hospital call when he should be studying? (6,4)

Generating...

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

S (son) + COOL (uninterested) round H (hospital) + TERM (call, as a verb)

12a

Very, very good occupying tavern, but to no effect (2,4)

Generating...

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

V (very) + A1 (very good) in INN (tavern)

14a

Interplay of tide and dune not checked (8)

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15a

Draw US lawyer to right law (7)

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17a

Conservative guy, not too bright, seen around Republican festival (7)

Generating...

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

C (Conservative) + HIMBO (guy, not too bright) round R (Republican) – a jorum for me: with very little confidence, I looked up HIMBO and found ‘an attractive but empty-headed young man’ – obvious now, of course: a male bimbo I wouldn’t ever use CHRIMBO but, if I did, I wouldn’t include an h – it’s in Collins but not Chambers

20a

Trick sign containing Government name (8)

Generating...

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

CON (trick) round G (Government) + SIGN (omen)

22a

Rector intervening in University accommodation protest? (6)

Generating...

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

R (rector) in U NEST (University accommodation)

23a

Nuns and monks initially among the very best groups of motorists? (10)

Generating...

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

M[onks] in CAR ELITES (fancifully, the very best groups of motorists) There are also Carmelite monks

24a
10a

Trumpeter’s accessories provided by pale relative of trumpeter? (4,4)

Generating...
25a

What Admiral’s found in hold? (6)

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26a

Good for France, back under governancesuch as the aristocracy? (8)

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Down

1d

Fishing accessory, crude, left covered by overturned canvas (5,3)

Generating...

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

RAW (crude) + L (left) in a reversal (overturned) of TENT (canvas)

2d

Tournament going ahead, accommodating training during 11? (4)

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3d

Common sense in scripture lessons supported by a disciple (6)

Generating...

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

RE (Religious Education – scripture lessons) + A SON (a disciple)

4d

Classic musician’s musical work twice interrupted by King and ambassador (7)

Generating...

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

R (king) and HE (His / Her Excellence – ambassador) – separately, in OPUS (musical work)

5d

Comment about a new central heating that uses very small components (8)

Generating...

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

NOTE (comment) round A N (a new) + CH (central heating)

6d

Information provided in Rhineland city for ‘improver’ of community (10)

Generating...

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

GEN (information) IF (provided) in TRIER (Rhineland city)

7d

Gain account with regret (6)

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13d

Someone skilled in the fieldand margins too, possibly (10)

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16d

Understand policy about introduction of military service (8)

Generating...

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

COP (understand) round M[ilitary] + LINE (policy)

18d

Desperately in love, French are excessive in sexual activity (8)

Generating...

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

ES (French for are, second person singular) + OTT (excessive) in BED (sexual activity)

19d

Second article all but elsewhere (7)

Generating...

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

AN (article) + THER[e] (elsewhere, all but) Edit: A + NOT HER(e) – thanks, KVa @3

21d

Sanctioned ‘natter’ to turn up in dictionary (6)

Generating...

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

A reversal (to turn up, in a down clue) of YAK (natter) in OED (Oxford English Dictionary)

22d

Bear’s second to enter water (6)

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24d

Way of working ascribed to American musician (4)

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