Independent Cryptic #12133

2025-08-28

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

College journal with European article penned by European (9)

Generating...

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

MAG (=journal, i.e. magazine) + [LE (=European article, i.e. a French word for the ) in DANE (=European)]

6a

Settlers initially engaged in projects (5)

Generating...

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

E <ngaged> (“initially” means first letter only is used) in JUTS (=projects, protrudes); the Jutes were one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Britain after the departure of the Romans

9a

A large weapon causing panic (5)

flowerflowerflower
10a

A fabulous female intended to talk about giving pleasure (9)

Generating...

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

A + MUSE (=fabulous female, in Greek mythology) + homophone (“to talk about”) of “meant (=intended)”

11a

A little light showed the way (3)

Generating...

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

Double definition: a LED (=light-emitting diode) is “a little light” AND led (the way) means “showed the way”

12a

Bugs counter male protest in corrupt state (11)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Male bands without hits (7)

flowerflowerflower
15a

See 20 Down

16a

Cool war dances taking bounds only towards the centre (7)

Generating...

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

IN (=cool, trendy) + WAR + D <ance> S (“taking bounds (=limits) only” means first and last letters only are used)

19a

Mobile users associated with Colorado Springs (7)

Generating...

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

*(USERS + CO (=Colorado)); “mobile” is anagram indicator; a spring is a source of e.g. water

22a

Article guru edited that's of interest to farmers (11)

flowerflowerflower
23a

Audio receiver needed to get The Archers (3)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Simple lives endlessly on edge stuck in hole (9)

Generating...

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

[RIM (=edge) in PIT (=hole)] + <l> IVE <s> (“endlessly” means first and last letters are dropped)

26a

Speak highly of old Polish airline on return journey (5)

Generating...

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

EX- (=old, former) + TOL (LOT=Polish airline; “on return journey” indicates a reversal)

27a

No prat doing a twirl should make you cross (5)

Generating...

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

NO + GIT (=prat, berk); “doing a twirl” indicates a reversal; a tigon is a cross between a tiger and a lioness

28a

Substances for colouring puddings to consume right on time (9)

Generating...

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

[YES (=right, as an affirmation) + T (=times)] in DUFFS (=pudding, as in plum-duff )

Down

1d

The writer dealt with sales complaint (7)

Generating...

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

ME (=the writer, i.e. Wiglaf) + *(SALES); “dealt with” is anagram indicator

2d

Kinswoman smuggled diamonds and money into Georgia (7)

Generating...

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

[RAN (=smuggled) + D (=diamonds, in cards) + M (=money)] in GA (=Georgia, i.e. US state)

3d

Macho priest, upset and moody (11)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Empowers English city's bishopnot priest (7)

Generating...

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

E (=English) + NABLES (NA P LES=city; “ bishop (=B, in chess) – not priest (=P)” means letter “p” is replaced by “b”

5d

After short excursion last month, Edward rejoiced (7)

Generating...

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

EX <cursion> (“short” means only first two letters are used here) + ULT (=last month, from ultimo ) + ED (=Edward)

6d

US soldier uses magic spells when there's no doctors around (3)

Generating...

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

<mo> JOE <s> (=magic spells, in US slang; “when there’s no doctors (=MOs, i.e. medical officers) around” means letters “mos” are dropped

7d

Tether suspect around the middle in black op site (7)

Generating...

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

<bl> A <k> (“the middle in” means middle letter only) in *(TETHER); “suspect (=dubious, fishy)” is anagram indicator

8d

They make fun of South American flags (7)

flowerflowerflower
13d

Size of certain people after tucking into food (11)

Generating...

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

[SURE (=certain) + MEN (=people)] in MEAT (=food)

16d

Facing difficulties? Move to Spain (2,1,4)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Surrey town carries right on (7)

flowerflowerflower
18d

Soiled, ill-used pants (7)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Holland's old band seen in crowd (7)

Generating...

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

Double definition: the English rock band Squeeze launched the career of musician Jools Holland AND to squeeze is to crowd, press, crush

20d
15a

(and 15 Across) Place to put bra and old French panties? (5,2,7)

Generating...
21d

Nancy's on benefit like Prince Harry? (7)

Generating...

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

SUR (=Nancy’s on, i.e. the French word for preposition on ) + PLUS (=benefit, advantage)

25d

No one will turn up for a bit (3)

Generating...

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

NO + I (=one); “will turn up” indicates a vertical reversal