Independent Cryptic #12120

2025-08-13

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Mark recalled problem for English sailors inhaling toxic gas (9)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘recalled’) of NO LIMES (‘problem for English sailors’ – a reference to the use of lime juice on British ships to prevent scurvy) round or ‘inhaling’ CO (carbon monoxide – ‘toxic gas’)

6a

Child leaving room is cautionary signal (5)

Generating...

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

ch AMBER (room) with ‘ch’ (child’) leaving

9a

Abolishes America's boring yearbooks (7)

Generating...

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

ANNULS (abolishes) round or ‘bored by’ A (America)

10a

Political theory damages around eleven million (7)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Providing backing Republican needles producer (3)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Former editor's shockingly grim persona (11)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Futile look for Tesla to hire (6)

Generating...

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

EMP t Y (futile) with the ‘t’ (Tesla) replaced by LO (look)

15a

Container for food damaged in crates (8)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Discharged old Conservative put off returning (8)

Generating...

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

EX (old) C (Conservative) + a reversal (‘returning’) of DETER (put off)

19a

Hard ground that's next to fire (6)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Final bit of activity in street with cat (11)

flowerflowerflower
23a

Smear fish expert (3)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Top vicar regularly cutting blood supply (7)

Generating...

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

v I c A r (alternate or ‘regular’ letters) in or ‘cutting’ an anagram (‘supply’ – in a supple manner) of BLOOD

27a

Jewellery back in store unless there's book missing (7)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Good-for-nothing throwing away son's drink (5)

flowerflowerflower
29a

Smart to fill nitrogen gas in restricted area (9)

Generating...

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

FLY (smart) in or ‘filling’ N (nitrogen) OZONE (gas)

Down

1d

Domino perhaps placed the wrong way by female in team (5)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Share authority mostly about snare (7)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘about’) of PART (share) NAM e (authority) missing the last letter or ‘mostly’

3d

Winner's bloomer losing head in tactical game (11)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Healthcare pioneer's inventory-maker? (6)

Generating...

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

Someone who makes an inventory or ‘list’ might be referred to as a LISTER

5d

Southern African plants close to arena blocking unbeatable rival (8)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Character of Scottish child boundless (3)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Game time for girl with diary? (7)

Generating...

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

BRIDGE (game – of cards) T (time) – a reference to ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’

8d

Structure stems from anarchy (9)

flowerflowerflower
13d

Difficult to wear old valet uniform for Hollywood star (11)

Generating...

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

HARD (difficult) in or ‘wearing’ O (old) LIVERY (‘valet uniform’)

14d

Cosmetic change at last absolutely fooled old women (9)

Generating...

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

E (last letter of change) YES (absolutely) HAD (fooled) O (old) W (woman)

16d

Perhaps Vandyke to confess to approach in threatening manner (8)

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18d

Brief firm collision I ignored (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

1D set up Oscar and Olivia? (7)

Generating...

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

ROD (‘staff’ – 1d) RIG (set up) O (Oscar in the phonetic alphabet) – we had to check Olivia Rodrigo – she’s an American singer, songwriter and actress

21d

Object from the point of view of object is left out (6)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Make a mess of unloading new musical instrument (5)

flowerflowerflower
26d

Pole for stirring hot air periodically hidden (3)

Generating...

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

h O t A i R (alternate letters ‘periodically hidden’)