Guardian Cryptic #29928

2026-02-12

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

Concern with one about to leaveleaving partner in this? (8)

flowerflowerflower
5a

Attempt to convey story about something refreshingly sweet? (6)

Generating...

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

GO=”Attempt”, around/containing (to convey) TALE=”story” reversed/”about”

9a

Odd man is sane, as shown in medical record (9)

Generating...

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

definition: anamnesis is the process of collecting a patient’s medical history anagram/”Odd” of (man is sane)*

11a

Trick by five hundred members of religious sect (5)

Generating...

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

definition: Druse or Druze are members of a religious sect [wiki] RUSE=”Trick” by D=”five hundred” in Roman numerals

12a

The latest answer involves this action in a river (8,4)

flowerflowerflower
15a

House with a sign of something wrong that fraudster perpetrates? (4)

flowerflowerflower
16a

Sad men could do this to atone (4,6)

flowerflowerflower
18a

Social worker is embracing these opposite types (10)

Generating...

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

ANT=”Social worker”; plus IS (from surface) around THESE (from surface)

19a

Alluring sparkle exuding energy (4)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Finer monster upsetting chaps living on the edge? (12)

Generating...

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

anagram/”upsetting” of (Finer monster)*

24a

Woman to change husband (5)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Nasty tear at front of furniture item that can be repaired? (9)

Generating...

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

anagram/”Nasty” of (tear)*; in front of TABLE=”furniture item”

26a

Review with snide remark is not British (6)

flowerflowerflower
27a

Somehow sad, blue inside, being defamed (8)

Generating...

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

anagram/”Somehow” of (sad)*, with PERSE (a dark “blue” colour) inside

Down

1d

Secure underwater line (4)

Generating...

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

for definition, e.g. to seal/secure a deal L for “line”, after/’under” SEA=”water”

2d

Article buried by burrower endlessly turning up in soil (4)

Generating...

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

A (indefinite “Article”); buried inside MOL-[e]=”burrower endlessly”, reversed (“turning up”)

3d

University gone round by number about to get secure position (6)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Running down daughter, is dad with anger unkind, wasting a bit of time? (13)

Generating...

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

D (daughter) + IS (from surface) + PA =”dad” + RAGE =”anger”, plus ME -[a]- N =”unkind” removing/”wasting” the letter “a” (from surface); plus T =first letter/”bit” of t-[ime]

6d

Finish with love, having spirited sort of marriage (8)

Generating...

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

definition: marrying within a group END=”Finish” + O=zero score in tennis=”love” + GAMY=”spirited”

7d

A cunning viewpoint that maths teacher may explain (5,5)

Generating...

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

definition: a part of geometry, covered in maths lessons A (from surface) + CUTE=clever=”cunning” + ANGLE=”viewpoint”

8d

Old writer’s English unchanged, words having magical effect (4,6)

Generating...

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

O (Old) + PEN’S=”writer’s” + E (English) + SAME=”unchanged”

10d

Lack of courage that is evident in wormy types (13)

Generating...

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

spinelessness could also refer to a lack of a literal spine in worms

13d

Agricultural land to flourish, absorbing warmth with minimum of frost (10)

Generating...

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

WIELD=brandish=”flourish”; around HEAT=”warmth” + the minimum or smallest part of F-[rost]

14d

Activity of artist, showing concern about Newcastle? (10)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Fibrous products obtained from sewers? (8)

flowerflowerflower
20d

What river rises, producing foam? (6)

Generating...

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

EH=exclamation of surprise=”What”; plus TEES=name of a “river”; all reversed upwards/”rises”

22d

Birdone beginning to breed on island (4)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Trade very limited? Then pack up (4)

Generating...

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

“very” shortened/limited to V, plus END=”pack up”