Independent Cryptic #12143

2025-09-09

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Feeble boss of MI6 agent obliged to return cases (8)

Generating...

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

[C (=boss of MI6, from “chief”) + REP (=agent, as in sales rep )] in DEIT (TIED=bound; “to return” indicates reversal)

6a

Adds colour to Appassionata 's intro in editions without Cooper's backing (6)

Generating...

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

A <ppassionata> (“intro” means first letter only in P <r> INTS (=editions; “without <coope> R ‘s backing” means last letter, i.e. “r”, is dropped)

9a

Iran's ready to defend against opponents (6)

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10a

Hide from Jersey Boy's brothers? (8)

Generating...

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

CALF’S (=Jersey Boy’s, i.e. offspring of Jersey cattle) + KIN (=brothers, i.e. relatives); the “hide” of the definition is a noun meaning skin, leather

11a

Remix of Elaine Paige’s number one cover of pop banger (9)

Generating...

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

*(ELAINE + P <aige> (“number one” means first letter only) + P <o> P (“cover of” means first and last letters only)); “remix of” is anagram indicator; in slang, a pineapple is a hand grenade or a bomb, i.e. a banger, something that makes a loud noise

12a

Nick Knowles’s ultimate essential? (5)

Generating...

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

<knowle> S (“ultimate” means last letter only) + CORE (=essential, as in core skills and core business ); a nick is a small cut, hence a score

14a

First Lady's revolting shag with TV explorer (7)

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15a

Something always goes wrong with this damn salad! (7)

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17a

Resentful unknown shuns enthusiastic Jilly’s tip for starters (7)

Generating...

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

J <illy> (“tip” means first letter only; “for starters” means comes at the front of the word) + <z> EALOUS (=enthusiastic; “ unknown (=z, in algebra) shuns” means letter “z” is dropped)

19a

Intrinsically American hero (7)

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22a

Mike Brown's absorbed in women's Test (5)

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24a

Grown-up films featuring adult Mormons from yesteryear? (9)

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26a

President George Washington's money game (8)

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27a

Las Vegas club refusing entry to angry bikers? (6)

Generating...

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

R <a> IDERS (=Las Vegas club, i.e. American football team; “refusing entry (=first letter) to a ngry ” means letter “a” is dropped)

28a

Heartless equestrian Kit's whip (6)

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29a

Rich elderly ladies typically take risks (8)

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Down

2d

Ben & Jerry's ice cream opened by bird (9)

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3d

Run into revolutionary nurses near Barking (7)

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4d

Playing Top Trumps inspires focus in females after childbirth (10)

Generating...

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

<fem> A <les> (“focus in” means central point, i.e. middle letter) in *(TOP TRUMPS); “playing” is anagram indicator

5d

Gear made of spun silk bound by yarn (6)

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6d

Motor sport? (4)

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7d

Home schools little blighters? (7)

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8d

Row about Rutshire's foremost judge? (5)

Generating...

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

R <utshire> (“foremost” means first letter only) in TIER (=row, rank); a judge tries criminals, so could be described as a “trier”!

13d

Load of fat old blokes hoisted into grave (10)

Generating...

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

[O (=old, as in OT) + NEM (MEN=blokes; “hoisted” indicates vertical reversal)] in BARROW (=grave, burial mound); bone marrow is partly made up of adipose tissue, hence “load of fat”

16d

Romeo breaking date rule possibly The Man Who Made Husbands 17 ? (9)

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18d

Tizzy over Spain getting beat (7)

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20d

In love with second husband as a celebration(7)

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21d

... mischievous wife chose to go on top! (6)

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23d

Get up on stage (5)

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25d

Jack Black needs to quit blow in spring (4)

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