Independent Cryptic #12104

2025-07-25

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Brother and officer becoming target for cowboys? (6)

flowerflowerflower
5a

Success securing new home at the outset - that is a good feeling (8)

Generating...

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

Success securing new home at the outset – that is a good feeling [N (=new, as in New Testament) + H <ome> (“at the outset” means first letter only)] in BOOM (=success)] + I.E. (=that is, id est )

9a

Marine vessel out of place in Tibet and next answer (with height being involved) (10)

Generating...

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

Marine vessel out of place in Tibet and next answer (with height being involved) H (=height) in *(TIBET + ALPS (=next answer, i.e. in this crossword); “out of place” is anagram indicator

10a

A recording’s offering a view of Switzerland? (4)

Generating...

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

A recording’s offering a view of Switzerland? A + LP (=recording, i.e. long-playing record)’S

11a

Getting depressed after sulks recalled? Leave the top job (8)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Temptation to snatch stone? It’s the shininess (6)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Dropping a catch may be mine? (4)

Generating...

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

Dropping // a catch may be mine? Double definition: dropping can refer to letting slip, in conversation AND a slip fielder may have to take a catch in cricket

15a

A source of culinary pleasure but dates should be chopped (8)

flowerflowerflower
18a

Transport access (8)

flowerflowerflower
19a

Row after middle of kitchen device lost (4)

flowerflowerflower
21a

After reversing drive into concrete food store (6)

Generating...

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

After reversing, drive into concrete food store DR (=drive, in addresses) in REAL (=concrete, actual); “after reversing” indicates reversal

23a

Caught by the French soldiers clearly heartless but getting mercy (8)

Generating...

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

Caught by the French soldiers, clearly heartless, but getting mercy C (=caught, on cricket scorecard) + LE (=the French, i.e. a French word for the ) + MEN (=soldiers, troops) + C <learl> Y (“heartless” means all but first and last letters are dropped)

25a

Better men to accept time in office? (4)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Defender learnt he is out of place in soccer team after upset (10)

flowerflowerflower
27a

Dull style in clothing receiving unexpected ban (8)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Company in place beginning to make TV programme? (6)

Generating...

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

Company in place beginning to make TV programme? CO (=company, i.e. abbreviation) in [SIT (=place, position, as verb) + M <ake> (“beginning to” means first letter only)]

Down

2d

Decay restricting a second joint (5)

Generating...

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

Decay restricting a second joint [A + S (=second, in time)] in ROT (=decay); a Sunday joint is a Sunday roast

3d

Not recording a person in facility for making records (9)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Weber opera opening in Oslo with live run being broadcast (6)

Generating...

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

Weber opera , opening in Oslo, with live run being broadcast O <slo> (“opening in” means first letter only) + BE (=live, exist) + R (=run, on cricket scorecard) + ON (=(being) broadcast); Oberon is a romantic opera by German composer Carl Maria von Weber, composed in 1825-6

5d

This end of the bench needs to be repaired covertly (15)

Generating...

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

This end of the bench needs to be repaired covertly *(THIS + <th> E + BENCH NEEDS); “end of” means last letter only is used in anagram, indicated by “to be repaired”

6d

High-level person goes white when cornered by indication of former name (8)

Generating...

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

High-level person goes white when cornered by indication of former name PALES (=goes white) in NÉE (=indication of former, i.e. maiden, name); cryptically, a Nepalese is a “high-level person”, i.e. a national of a country located at high altitude in the Himalayas

7d

Gems having phosphorus as well but oxygen primarily (5)

Generating...

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

Gems having phosphorous as well, but oxygen primarily P (=phosphorous) + ALS O (=as well); “ oxygen (=O) primarily” means letter “o” moves to front of word

8d

Significance supported by article in French press (9)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Stop in road head away from car and listen (9)

Generating...

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

Stop in road, head away from car, and listen [END (=stop, finish) in LANE (=road)] + <c> AR (“head away from” means first letter is dropped)

16d

17 when dancing involves hard ballet move (9)

Generating...

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

17, when dancing, involves hard ballet move H (=hard, as in HB pencils) in *(ENTR’ACTE (=entry at 17)

17d

Stage music opening but cut short? Excellent about time (8)

Generating...
20d

New face at court getting knight upset? Rubbish (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Stand down protest over book (5)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Accommodation for fifteenth prisoner? It’s a big fiddle! (5)

Generating...

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

Accommodation for fifteenth prisoner? It’s a big fiddle CELL O (=accommodation for fifteenth prisoner, where CELL A is for the first prisoner, CELL B for the second, etc); the “fiddle” of the definition is a violin, stringed instrument