Independent Cryptic #12004

2025-03-31

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Across

5a

Rough characters cutting cocaine for piano lounge (6)

Generating...

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

ScRAWL (rough characters) with the c replaced by P

6a

Partners right to bang inside - it's cleaner (6)

Generating...

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

Insertion of HIT (bang) into WE (partners in bridge) + R

9a

Takes in requirements of contract? (6)

Generating...

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

Double def, the second one referring to contract bridge

10a

Between pub and party regularly muse on suggestive remark (8)

Generating...

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

INN + DO with alternate letters of mUsE oN in between

11a

Barmy Army wanting maiden to go with new spinner's work (4)

Generating...

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

Anag (barmy) of ARMY with the M (maiden) replaced by N (new)

12a

Team push for something more enriching? (4,6)

Generating...

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

SIDE (team) + HUSTLE (push)

13a

Most secretive as this Lette cryptic (11)

flowerflowerflower
18a

Largely dark and loveless election tragically crossed lines (10)

Generating...

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

Anag (tragically) of DAR (largely dark) + ELECTIoN (loveless)

21a

Second-hand parts in warehouse displays (4)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Raised voice in argument following shortfall? (8)

Generating...

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

FAL (short fall) + SET TO

23a

Funny fabulist pulling good man's leg to a certain extent (6)

Generating...

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

Anag of FABULIst without st (pulling good man)

24a

Scottish team taking last run out for spots of shooting practice (6)

Generating...

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

Glasgow RANGERS without the second R (taking last run out)

25a

S&M with men bound under orders for boot-licking (6)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Police place blundering Prince before court (8)

Generating...

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

Anag (blundering) of PRINCE + CT

2d

Oliver's requests for more? (6)

Generating...

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

Not 100% sure about this – aside from the protagonist of the Dickens novel, I’m guessing this refers to requests to the dealer in poker for more cards. Or, as Hovis and Simon S point out below, pontoon/vingt-et-un, which we used to play a lot as kids but which had slipped my mind till now

3d

Take away display on wall in quiet road (8)

Generating...

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

Insertion of HANG (display on wall) in SH (quiet) AI (A1, road)

4d

Former captain dismissing Australia's openers for English to create pressure (6)

Generating...

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

STRAUSS (former England cricket captain Andrew) with AU (Australia’s openers) replaced by E

5d

Binge dropping ecstasy periodically and space out (6)

Generating...

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

SPREe (binge dropping one E) + AnD (and, periodically)

7d

Upset about limits to dud puzzle (6)

Generating...

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

RILE (upset) around limits to DuD

8d

One graphically capturing bull? (3,8)

Generating...

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

Cryptic def

14d

Ungrounded and deeply confused? (3,2,3)

Generating...

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

Cryptic def

15d

Unyielding Abbot discovered rule embraced by upright devotees (8)

Generating...

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

Insertion of aBBOt (abbot discovered) + R (rule) in reversal (upright) of NUTS

16d

Removing top, streak beside female and show off? (6)

Generating...

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

rUN (streak with its top removed) + F + AIR (show)

17d

Set out both sides of defence strategy (6)

Generating...

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

DE (both sides of DefencE) + PLOY

19d

Relaxation, for instance cuddling when home (6)

Generating...

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

Insertion (cuddling) of AS (when) + IN (home) in EG (for instance)

20d

Vilify European fellow assuming pantomime role (6)

Generating...

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

Insertion of E F (European fellow) in DAME