Independent Cryptic #11708

2024-04-19

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Across

9a

Always taken aback about English reprisal (7)

Generating...

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

EVER (always) reversed (taken aback), around ENG (abbreviation for English).

10a

Some expat bringing in hard worker? That’s not for real (7)

Generating...

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

POM (derogatory term in Australia and New Zealand for a British person = expat), containing H (abbreviation for hard) + ANT (perhaps a worker ant).

11a

Rocky boulder is revealing avian pest (9)

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12a

Easy shot on the green - cheers near where the ball landed? (5)

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13a

Architectural features Prince amends incorporating pillars (9)

Generating...

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

P (abbreviation for Prince) + EDITS (amends), including MEN (pillars? I’m not sure how this works, except perhaps as in “pillars of society”). [UPDATE: Thanks to PostMark and FrankieG for pointing out that “man” can mean a rock pillar. I had a vague thought about that but couldn’t find it in Collins online; I should have checked Chambers.]

14a

Strength in support of church (5)

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15a

Are you up for some sport in afternoon? Yes excited name to be included (15)

Generating...

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

Anagram (excited) of IN AFTERNOON YES , including N (abbreviation for name). Traditional expression to invite partners / opponents for a recreational tennis match.

18a

Fictional doctor often considered real? (5)

Generating...

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

Definition and cryptic definition. Fictional doctor in the Star Trek films; or as in “the real McCoy” = the genuine article.

20a

The best in American murders? Chilling things for consumption (9)

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22a

Unwilling to follow Conservative ministers? (5)

Generating...

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

LOTH (unwilling) after C (abbreviation for Conservative). As in “men of the cloth” = church ministers.

24a

Controlling influence elevated bad temper in unelected politician (9)

Generating...

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

UP (elevated) + PET (an episode of bad temper or sulking), in PEER (a politician in the House of Lords, appointed rather than elected).

26a

Stay abed? Wrong to cover skin over (7)

Generating...

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

SIN (wrong, as a noun), containing PEEL (skin, as a verb = to remove the outer covering from something) reversed (over). To stay in bed past the usual time for getting up.

27a

Cavalrymen capturing Australian attackers (7)

Generating...

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

RIDERS (cavalrymen = military personnel on horseback) containing A (abbreviation for Australian).

Down

1d

Surly person in college upset lawyers (4)

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2d

Still reduced quantity of light around yard on a regular basis (8)

Generating...

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

EVE [n] (still = undisturbed) without the last letter (reduced), then RAY (some light) around YD (abbreviation for yard).

3d

Popular cycle runs involving fellows and stormy weather? (10)

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4d

Profit from performance delivered by soldiers (6)

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5d

Program to take pain from running initially? I'll have anything for a quiet life (8)

Generating...

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

APP (a program running on a computer or especially on a smartphone) + EASE (as a verb = to reduce pain from an ailment) + initial letter of R [unning].

6d

Great time not at the start the end (4)

Generating...

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

[b] LAST (as in “having a blast” = an enjoyable time) without its starting letter.

7d

Lethargy defeats rising requiring injection of pressure (6)

Generating...

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

ROUTS (defeats) reversed (rising = upwards in a down clue), including P (abbreviation for pressure).

8d

Someone transcribing Asian menus in translation (10)

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13d

Medical expert old man concealing damage is appearing in court (10)

Generating...

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

PA (old man = slang for father) containing (concealing) HARM (damage), then IS inside CT (abbreviation for court).

14d

Heraldic symbol flourished over Europe mostly tasteful (10)

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16d

Alcoholic drink not entirely bad but not to be taken that seriously (8)

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17d

Hooligan’s about taken in given order (8)

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19d

Civil Service accepting single copies? (6)

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21d

Politician in European country powerful country? (6)

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23d

Hard work and energy will yield expectation (4)

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25d

Angry response within chamber is expected (4)

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