Independent Cryptic #11782

2024-07-15

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Indian fried bread and brown, clean liver (7)

Generating...

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

Puri(=Indian fried bread) + tan(=brown)

5a

Pass on joke you hear in summarised version (6)

Generating...

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

Hom of "die jest"

8a

Shiny spit, on cut from alien's tongue (9)

Generating...

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

Twin(=spit) + Kling[on]. Klingon is a language from Star Trek. Apparently, it is now a real language which some people can speak.

9a

Yellow flowery necklace seen from the right window (5)

Generating...

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

Or(=yellow, as in the heraldic term for gold) + lei< (seen from the right)

11a

Oxygen in atmosphere, a combination of particles (4)

Generating...

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

O(=chemical symbol for oxygen) in atm{osphere}

12a

Jump on stage in a tutu then react ad-lib (9)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Spooner's married a boxer called David - that's progress (7)

Generating...

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

Spoonerism of "Wed Hay", referring to the boxer David Haye.

15a

Engineers checked piece on back of engine emitting fumes (7)

Generating...

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

RE(=Royal Engineers) + (king(=chess piece which can be checked) after [engin]e)

17a

Having pulled out very stupidly overtake heavy plant (3,4)

Generating...

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

O[v]ertake*

19a

Baltic and northern wader (7)

Generating...

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

Bitter(=baltic when used as a slang term for cold) + N{orthern}

20a

Champion's penultimate test in F1, early and important laps (9)

Generating...

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

Seminal(=early and important, as an a seminal work of literature) around FI. Laps indicates containment.

22a

King captured by painter initially exclaims 'it's bloody red' (4)

Generating...

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

R(=king, abbrev for rex) in (RA(=Royal Academician) + e[xclaims]). Def refers to steak.

24a

Cockney's radiator, perhaps not a cooker? (5)

Generating...

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

'Eater(=cockney version of heater). Def refers to fruit such as apples.

25a

Extremely smart just wearing cap (9)

Generating...

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

Right(=just) in(=wearing) best(=cap as a verb)

26a

What's nil nil after fine match? (6)

Generating...

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

F{ine} + O-O tie(=a description of a nil nil draw)

27a

Patch on eye deemed somewhat flattering (7)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Idiot at Pinehurst lipped shots on the green (4)

Generating...

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

Hom of puts(=shots on the green in golf). I think Pinehurst is there because it is the name of a golf course.

2d

Complain and keep tabs on useless old line manager (9)

Generating...

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

Rail(=complain, as in "rail about something") + track(=keep tabs on). Useless is deservedly part of the definition. I remember once during the days of Railtrack approaching the information desk to ask if there were any trains running. The guy on the desk just got up and walked away because he'd had enough.

3d

Eat man alive, expecting punishment, I assure you (4,2,4,3,2)

Generating...

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

Take(=eat, as in "take lunch") + man alive(=my word, both exclamations of surprise or shock) + for it(=expecting punishment, as in "you're for it now")

4d

Vote against concealing one surgeon's inexperience (7)

Generating...

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

Nay(=vote against) around (i vet)

5d

Bother chap in heaven from below - what's 8 25 there? (3,4)

Generating...

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

Dog(=bother) + star, which I suppose must refer to the idea of a star being someone up in heaven when viewed from Earth. Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the night sky.

6d

Trump, dimwit gambler covered with tan he sprayed (2,3,6,4)

Generating...

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

Goon(=dimwit) + (better(=gambler) in (tan he)*)

7d

Area around Buckingham Palace quiet, elegant and fashionable (5)

Generating...

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

SWI(=postcode of Buck Palace area) + sh(=quiet as an imperative)

10d

Drunk on dodgy gin at legal party (8)

Generating...

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

Lit(=slang for drunk) + (gin at)*

13d

Wife has rings to widen skirt, that is for baby's movement (8)

Generating...

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

W{ife} + hoops(=rings for skirt) + i.e. The def refers to a baby's bowel movement.

16d

One tiny beer improbably producing this (9)

Generating...

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

&lit. (I tiny beer)*

18d

Honour nurse, not able to express thanks (7)

Generating...

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

EN(=enrolled nurse) + no[ta]ble. Express is used to indicated removal of a word for thanks.

19d

Obstinate old president swallows brought up sick (7)

Generating...

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

Bush(=two ex presidents) around ill<

21d

Unlimited iron props assembled underground (5)

Generating...

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

[I]ro[n] after(=props) met(=assembled)

23d

Stable part of wooden frame (4)

Generating...

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

DD. A stud can refer to a stud farm for horses, which can also be called a stable. A stud is also a prop in a wooden frame.