Independent Cryptic #12078

2025-06-25

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Obsolete language Switzerland will replace in the morning (7)

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5a

Wild if beer hall has odd characters ejected (5)

Generating...

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

[i] F [b] E [e] R [h] A [l] L without all the odd-numbered letters.

9a

My parts extremely shrunken leading to derision (5)

Generating...

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

COR (cor! = my! = an expression of surprise), inserted into (parting) the end letters (extremes) of S [hrunke] N .

10a

Singing and shouting taking too many drugs (9)

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11a

First female in workplace becoming rather impatient at first for opening (7)

Generating...

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

O [f] FICE (workplace), with the first F (abbreviation for female) replaced by the first letters of R [ather] I [mpatient].

12a

I would twitch around ten which is ludicrous (7)

Generating...

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

I’D (contracted form of “I would”) + TIC (twitch = involuntary muscle contraction), around IO (one, zero = ten).

13a

Racist dithering about Republican (10)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Summons dwarf regularly to get sex (4)

Generating...

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

Alternate letters (regularly) from [d] W [a] R [f], then IT (slang for sex appeal). Writ = summons = a legal demand presented in writing.

18a

He maybe recalled a long story (4)

Generating...

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

GAS (maybe He = chemical symbol for helium), reversed (recalled), then A .

20a

He attracts eccentric with difficulty (10)

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23a

Model lost her case (7)

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24a

Fall about instead of beginning to embrace counterpoint (7)

Generating...

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

DESC [e] NT (fall), with A (abbreviation for about) instead of E which is the first letter of E[mbrace]. Descant = counterpoint = a second musical theme sung or played at the same time as a repetition of the original melody.

25a

Make a couple of deliveries to Spooner for native of the far north (9)

Generating...

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

Spoonerism for BOWL A PAIR (make a couple of deliveries, in cricket terminology).

26a

Rib functions lessened (5)

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27a

American sweetheart blows horn for example (5)

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28a

Produce cry at Silverstone? (7)

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Down

1d

Notice seal is devoted (7)

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2d

Conservative Society is extremely treacherous and is free from contradiction (8)

Generating...

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

CON (abbreviation for Conservative) + S (abbreviation for society) + IS + end letters (extremes) of T [reacherou] S . Not the most common use of “consist” as a verb, but recognisable from the adjective form “consistent”.

3d

Starting late work-shy midwife on vacation makes unleavened bread (5)

Generating...

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

[l] AZY (work-shy) without the first letter (starting late), then M [idwif] E without the inner letters (on vacation = after emptying). Also spelled azym: bread without yeast.

4d

Sometimes they navigate watercourses following fish (9)

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5d

Uplifting tablet provided boost (6)

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6d

I put in schedule: Make merry (7)

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7d

Reason American soldier enters places briefly (5)

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8d

The moment music producer with shaved head was missing wife (8)

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14d

Page that's blank after line abandoned (9)

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16d

I see boring Renaissance artist from Pacific island (8)

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17d

Experts there making fizzy wine (8)

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19d

Astronomer in Jesus' home losing footing getting old (7)

Generating...

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

GALILE [e] (Jesus’ home), without the end letter (bottom, in a down clue = footing), then O (abbreviation for old).

21d

Architect ran site showing passage (7)

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22d

Early people-carrier (Australian pick-up truck) with corrosion reduced (6)

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23d

Leave brothel! (5)

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24d

Woman is supporting upwardly mobile staff (5)

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