Independent Cryptic #12113

2025-08-05

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Across

1a

Lady in Granada gives way on motorway letting queen in (8)

Generating...

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

( M [motorway] + CEDES [gives way]) containing (letting … in) ER (Elizabeth Regina; queen)

6a

Daughter with cleavage determined to succeed (6)

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9a

Turn round in one mile baby (4)

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10a

24 wanting icy centre of Halifax fenced off (10)

Generating...

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

Anagram of (off) ICY and I ( middle letter of [central] hal I fax) and FENCED )

11a

American from the east that's scary no? (6)

Generating...

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

( EEK [that’s scary] + NAY [no]) all reversed (from the east)

12a

Official repeatedly touching rope (8)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Couple back in traffic vehicle pulling ahead? (8)

Generating...

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

TWO (couple) reversed (back) contained in (in) TRUCK (to traffic)

16a

Cistern smelled awful without opening (4)

Generating...

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

s TANK (smelled awful) excluding the first letter (without opening) S

18a

Jazz reversing makes sudden jump forward (4)

Generating...

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

TRAD ( TRAD itional jazz, a style of early 20th century jazz which originated in New Orleans, characterized by improvisation against a regular rhythmical background) reversed (reversing)

19a

Navy 8? Well I'll be given security check shortly (8)

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21a

Rue Lilt spraying all over a bespoke suit (8)

Generating...

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

Anagram of (spraying) RUE LILT containing (all over) A

22a

6 26s keep swapping sides in street (6)

Generating...

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

CA S T LE (fortress; keep) with the S , first letter o f S treet replaced by T last letter of stree T [swapping sides of S tree T ]) to form CA T TLE

23a

Rubbish head of MOD's defence work replaced by Conservative (10)

Generating...

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

m OD’S with the first letter [head of] M replaced by [replaced by] C [Conservative] + WALL (a form of defence) + OP (opus; work)

25a

Swedish manufacturer returned calls from 5D say (4)

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26a

Obsessive about one's Jaguar or Beetle perhaps (6)

Generating...

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

ANAL (obsessive) containing (about) I’M (I am; one’s [?])

27a

Article that's clear about not drinking Ouzo? (8)

Generating...

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

( AN [indefinite article] + [ I SEE {that’s clear}]) containing (about) TT (teetotal; not drinking)

Down

2d

It'll pluck hair from ear and lip to nuts (8)

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3d

Sports equipment always delivered and sometimes 6A (11)

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4d

Duke flipped for one party trick (5)

Generating...

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

D (duke) + ( E . G . [example gratia; for example] + DO [party]) reversed (flipped)

5d

County cricket side turns up in bad mood (7)

Generating...

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

( OFF [one of two sides in cricket, the other being the ON side]) reversed [turns up; down entry]) contained in (in) SULK (a bad mood)

6d

One paints new car door taupe on the outside (9)

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7d

Strong feeling Hyundai reliably inspires (3)

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8d

Show yellow Tesla opens with key (6)

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13d

Faulty Citroen BX valves in odd places that can be changed (11)

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15d

University well laid out with path mad being 6A there (9)

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17d

Reliable good guy two thirds of the time right? (8)

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19d

Petals round bun in California (7)

Generating...

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

( O [round character] + ROLL [bun]) contained in (in) CA (California)

20d

Posher bar with tinned potato? (6)

Generating...

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

ALOO (potato, in Indian cookery) forms the centre of [tinned; contained in] t he word S ALOO N.  I don’t think the letters S and N are clued specifically in the wordplay

22d

Best state south of Massachusetts an island (5)

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24d

Problem a few people reported (3)

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