Independent Cryptic #11850

2024-10-02

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Across

1a

Damn inspiring old programme (6)

Generating...

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

Damn inspiring old programme O (=old, as in Old Testament) in CURSE (=(to) damn)

4a

When to cut green targets for idiot (7)

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9a

African is playing the piano around (9)

Generating...

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

African is playing the piano around 1 I = *(THE PIANO); “playing” is anagram indicate

10a

Cautionary signal - slope's beginning to be ignored (5)

Generating...

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

Cautionary signal – slope’s beginning to be ignored <c> AMBER (=slope, curve); “beginning to be ignored” means first letter is dropped

11a

Composer exaggerated when naked (5)

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12a

Spring put an end to kid's game (9)

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13a

Call otolaryngology department having gaping lips (7)

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15a

Oddly Raid insect repellent is something the chippy uses (6)

Generating...

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

Oddly, Raid insect repellent is something the chippy uses R <a> I <d> (“oddly” means odd letters only are used) + PSAW (WASP=insect; “repellent” indicates reversal); the “chippy” of the definition is a carpenter

17a

Slags off advanced coaches (6)

Generating...

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

Slags off advanced coaches A (=advance, as in A level ) + BUSES (=coaches)

19a

European inhabitants love new clothes (7)

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22a

Reportedly went on courses primarily to get waterborne vessel driving skills (9)

Generating...

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

Reportedly went on courses, primarily to get waterborne vessel driving skills Homophone (“reportedly”) of “rode (=went on, e.g. horse)” + C <raft> (“primarily” means first letter only) + RAFT (=waterborne vessel)

24a

On return famed epidemiologist nurses American's swelling (5)

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26a

Perhaps Ray thanks Ray? (5)

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27a

Painful nonsense about war hero (9)

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28a

Advocate stops son becoming medical practitioner (7)

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29a

Happen to call about absolutely nothing (6)

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Down

1d

Bright guards are making knife (7)

Generating...

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

Bright guards are making knife A (=are, i.e. metric land measure) in CLEVER (=bright, intelligent)

2d

American specified female attendant (5)

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3d

Nazis drinking house wines as affectation (9)

Generating...

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

Nazis drinking house wines as affectation [HO (=house) + WINES] in SS (=Nazis, i.e. Schutzstaffel )

4d

Japanese seat of learning exercises right to display tree (7)

Generating...

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

Japanese seat of learning exercises right to display tree J (=Japanese) + UNI (=seat of learning, i.e. university) + P.E. (=exercises, i.e. physical education) + R (=right)

5d

King meeting maniac regularly for fun (5)

Generating...

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

King meeting maniac regularly for fun CR (=king, i.e. Charles Rex) + <m> A <n> I <a> C (“regularly” means alternate letters only); in Irish English, craic is fun, enjoyable activity and conversation, often in a pub, according to Chambers

6d

Judge slightly occupied by Republican charge (9)

Generating...

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

Judge slightly occupied by Republican charge [R (=Republican) in A BIT] + RATE (=charge, tariff)

7d

She stores art in French department (6)

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8d

Alert as comedian struck (6)

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14d

In game of cards Jack drops followed by Queen to give easy decision (9)

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16d

Writing with Sexy Sue (9)

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18d

Pick a fight with celebrity running around Thailand (7)

Generating...

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

Pick a fight with celebrity running around Thailand T (=Thailand, in IVR) in [STAR (=celebrity) + ON (=running, in operation)]

19d

Cross left out as show of irony? (6)

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20d

Gospel of electronic keyboard player and composer is ignored (7)

Generating...

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

Gospel of electronic keyboard player and composer is ignored E (=electronic, as in e-commerce ) + VANGEL <is> (=keyboard player and composer, from Greece; “ is ignored” means letters “is” are dropped)

21d

Mass producers disheartened old man (6)

Generating...

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

Mass producers disheartened old man GRAM (=mass) + P <roducer> S (“disheartened” means all central letters are dropped)

23d

Hunt Charles I of England (5)

Generating...

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

Hunt Charles I of England CHAS (=Charles, colloquially) + E <ngland> (“I of” means first letter only)

25d

Anger returned about Heather (5)

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