Independent Cryptic #12034

2025-05-05

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Monster herb is leek in the end (8)

Generating...

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

Basil(=herb) + is + [lee]k

5a

Pensioner, possibly one banging on? (6)

Generating...

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

DD. I think the first def refers to Baby Boomers, who will mostly but not entirely be pensioners now.

9a

Power to impersonate cartoon henchman (8)

Generating...

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

Do(=impersonate, as in “I can do Donald Trump”) + minion(=yellow henchman from the Despicable Me franchise)

10a

Knock about answer with puzzlers on break (6)

Generating...

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

(Hit around a{nswer}) + us(=puzzle setters)

12a

I believe workers mostly party (5)

Generating...

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

Cre[w](=workers) + do(=party)

13a

Caught folk rockers hiding leader and daughter (9)

Generating...

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

[P]entangle + d{aughter}. Pentangle are a British folk rock group that I’d never heard of.

14a

Wild intercourse keeps Romeo coming back (12)

Generating...

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

Intercourse* around R{omeo}(phonetic alphabet)

18a

Start to conduct others, snarling "hit it" here? (9,3)

Generating...

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

&lit. (C[onduct] others)* + rap(=hit) + it.

21a

Independent swimmer cracks far side of the Channel (9)

Generating...

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

Eel(=fish, a swimmer) in France(=far side of channel)

23a

You shouldn't have elected politician with a Florida resort (5)

Generating...

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

Ta(=you shouldn’t have) + MP(=elected politician) + a

24a

A place like Cambridge maintains universal sharpness (6)

Generating...

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

(A city(=place like Cambridge) around u{niversal}(abbrev used in cinema classification)

25a

Brilliant child loses head after second place finish (8)

Generating...

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

[K]id after (s{econd} + pl{ace} + end)

26a

Match official's card shown in rows (6)

Generating...

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

Tie(=match) + red(=official’s card)

27a

Ecru? Dreadfully thin colour (8)

Generating...

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

Ecru* + lean(=thin)

Down

1d

Top fellow to chill with (6)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Problem solver when things heat up (6)

Generating...

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

DD

3d

Ferris wheel marathon nearly finished you (6,3)

Generating...

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

Lon[g](=marathon) + done(=finished) + ye(=you)

4d

Geordie singer claims accent hurt work in rock (12)

Generating...

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

Sting(=Gordon Sumner) around (tone(=accent) + cut(=hurt))

6d

Stars lit up drinking port (5)

Generating...

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

On(=lit up) around Rio, port in Brazil.

7d

Police force completely in charge of copper? (8)

Generating...

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

Met{ropolitan police} + all(=completely) + i{n} c{harge}

8d

Local piano exported from Cleveland? (8)

Generating...

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

[P]resident. Grover Cleveland is famous for being the only president before Trump to serve two non-consecutive terms.

11d

Graze pasty, shocked that is Cornish fare (9,3)

Generating...

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

(Graze pasty)* + i.e.(=that is)

15d

Drink money docked to pay for university (9)

Generating...

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

Coin(=money) + trea[t](=pay for) + u{niversity}

16d

Fit social worker bored by old hairdo (8)

Generating...

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

(Buff(=fit) + ant(=worker ant)) around o{ld}

17d

Avoid getting up, following school calendar (8)

Generating...

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

Elude<(=avoid) after sch{ool}

19d

Small insect bit (6)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Sorry fellow, below standard (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Passed on eating last of duck pancake (5)

Generating...

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

Late(=passed on/dead) around [duc]k. A latke is a Jewish pancake.