Independent Cryptic #12157

2025-09-25

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Spin doctor uses power move in the gym? (7)

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5a

Knife cut revolutionary Australian natives (7)

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9a

Line taken by glib old philosopher (5)

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10a

Millions avoiding nearly all bigotry and exclusion (9)

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11a

Maybe order new digital filing tool (10)

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12a

Once called phone company after noon (3)

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14a

Protection for the amorous Parisian landlord (12)

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18a

British and Dutch politicians going back inside without a bloody sausage (12)

Generating...

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

B (=British) + [PUDD (D (=Dutch) + DUP (=politicians, i.e. Democratic Unionist Party]; “going back” indicates reversal) in LACKING (=without a)]

21a

Employ American English (3)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Clearly I choose the best record to spin before date with disheartened lady (10)

Generating...

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

PELLUCI (I + CULL (=choose the best) + EP (=record, i.e. an extended-play record); “to spin” indicates reversal) + D (=date) + L <ad> Y (“disheartened” means all middle letters are dropped)

25a

Mouthy art student is trying to an extent (9)

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26a

Follow the Railwaymen finally safe after losing run (5)

Generating...

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

<th> E <railwayme> N (“finally” means last letters only are used) + SU <r> E (=safe; “losing run (=R)” means letter “r” is dropped)

27a

Worried Prime Minister briefly visits retired doctor (7)

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28a

Attack Tony Blair taking sides in conflict (7)

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Down

1d

Man City's manager for a season (6)

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2d

Destroyed recording of Taylor Swift tour before journalist (6)

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3d

Extremely poor rent boys OK to work (10)

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4d

Fiery love under pressure still (5)

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5d

Draw these around 9 pm in Britain (9)

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6d

Drink with your setter regularly bawdy (4)

Generating...

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

ME (=your setter, i.e. Amoeba) + <b> A <w> D <y> (“regularly” means alternate letters only are used)

7d

Distance an elite athlete's beginning to run (8)

Generating...

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

*(AN ELITE + A <thlete> (“beginning” means first letter only)); “to run” is anagram indicator

8d

On reflection awards critically examine formal beauty (8)

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13d

Particular prison yard inspires film after agent turns (10)

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15d

Feeling sick foolishly ate sundae (9)

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16d

More senseless killing initially covered up by navy men (8)

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17d

Barrel Jacob's wife lifted filled with unknown fruit (8)

Generating...

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

Z (=unknown, in algebra) in [TUN (=barrel) + LEAH (=Jacob’s wife, in OT)]

19d

Upset team working for inventor (6)

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20d

Some woozy deconstructed music (6)

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23d

True that's funny about my grandma at the very end (5)

Generating...

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

[<m> Y <grandm> A (“at the very end” means last letters only are used)] in LOL (=that’s funny, i.e. laugh out loud, in textspeak); a true friend is a loyal one

24d

Headless fish in stream (4)

Generating...

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

<b> RILL (=fish; “headless” means first letter is dropped)