Independent Cryptic #12014

2025-04-11

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Apparent free sheet initially fixed - by this piece of stationery? (5,8)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘fixed’) of APPARENT FREE and S (first or ‘initial’ letter of sheet)

8a

Ruffian has odd bits of those crags uncovered (6)

Generating...

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

T h O s E (alternate letters or ‘odd bits’) + c RAG s (omitting first and last letters or ‘uncovered’)

9a

Cross actor’s words a setback for this bit of the stage? (4-4)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘setback’) of ROOD (cross) PART (actor’s words)

10a

I’m in charge amongst scoundrels, whirling sword (8)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘whirling’) of I’M IC (in charge) in or ‘amongst’ RATS (scoundrels)

12a

Neglect to make up time (6)

flowerflowerflower
13a

One studies photo provided by university, probing intellect? It’s not obvious (13)

Generating...

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

I (one) + CONS (studies) PIC (photo) U (university) in or ‘probing’ NOUS (intellect)

15a

Collection of drugs offering treatment for 2? Pooh! (13)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘offering treatment’) of PARAMECIA (2 down) and POOH

18a

Mode of singing in wedding involving soprano (6)

Generating...

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

UNION (wedding) round or ‘involving’ S (soprano)

20a

Mean team left for New Zealand (8)

Generating...

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

NEAR (mean) SIDE (team) – New Zealanders drive on the left

21a

Stair-rail is covered in ribbing (8)

Generating...

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

IS ‘covered’ in BANTER (ribbing)

22a

Lecture about culmination of German Baroque (6)

Generating...

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

ORATE (lecture) round N (last letter or ‘culmination’ of German)

24a

Prince and King abandoning specialist before getting pass on entering place of learning (6,7)

Generating...

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

EX p E r T (specialist) missing or ‘abandoning’ ‘p’ (prince) and ‘r’ (king) + ERE (before) round or ‘entered by’ COL (pass) LEG (on – in cricket)

Down

1d

A serving of soup, hot? (3)

Generating...

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

A clue-as-definition: hidden (‘a serving of’) in souP HOt

2d

Airborne trooper with me spies tiny animals (9)

Generating...

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

PARA (‘airborne trooper’) ME CIA (spies)

3d

Correct clothing, latest to bewitch fashionable crowd (5-2)

Generating...

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

RIG (clothing) H (last or ‘latest’ letter in bewitch) TON (‘fashionable crowd’)

4d

A chronic portent, sadly, regarding homo sapiens as essential? (15)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Elevated skill, following one’s debut in commerce and trading (7)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘elevated’) of ART (skill) + FF (following) I (one) C (first letter or ‘debut’ of commerce)

6d

New broadcast about Duke is not a high point (5)

Generating...

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

N (new) AIR (broadcast) round D (duke)

7d

US state that’s so hardline after ruining Democrat (5,6)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘after ruining’) of SO HARDLINE + D (democrat)

11d

Cabinetmaker: "Damage to wood? Hang getting beer" (11)

Generating...

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

CHIP (‘damage to wood?’) PEND (hang) ALE (beer)

14d

Continue to island in canoe at sea, earning respect (9)

Generating...

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

BE (continue) IS (island) in an anagram (‘at sea’) of CANOE

16d

Water creature had to hide in locks (7)

Generating...

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

ATE (had) ‘hiding’ in MANE (locks)

17d

Bird’s loud cry of pain concealed by the sound of bells (7)

Generating...

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

F (loud) OW (cry of pain) in or ‘concealed by’ PEAL (the sound of bells)

19d

Extreme elements of school plan not ending decline (5)

Generating...

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

S choo L (first and last letters or ‘extreme elements’) IDE a (plan) missing the last letter or ‘not ending’

23d

Connection point Navy has left (3)

Generating...

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

TI n E (point) with the ‘n’ (Navy) omitted or ‘leaving’