Independent Cryptic #12159

2025-09-27

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Watch out for drone possibly covering conflict (6)

flowerflowerflower
4a

Did champ after overturning ban go on? (6)

Generating...

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

BIT (Did champ) after BAR< (ban, overturning).  Shades of Chas’n’Dave

9a

Volvo in front with gold Cadillac for variety (10)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Everyone still unmarried apparently not yet settled (4)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Space traveller came across men circling Earth (6)

Generating...

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

MET (came across) OR (men, other ranks) around E[arth]

12a

Derisory shout welcomes head of Harrow comprehensive (8)

Generating...

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

CAT CALL (derisory shout) around H[arrow]

13a

Story Violet Elizabeth's teacher read out? (4)

flowerflowerflower
15a

Six deliveries pinched by cheeky beggar (10)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Was stinky private behind latrines finally clean with wet wipe? (10)

Generating...

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

PONGED (was stinky) OWN (private) after (behind) [latrine]S

19a

Slowly pass through farm animals taking hour (4)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Particle accelerator's diameter limited by man digging rock out of tunnel (8)

Generating...

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

D[iameter] inside (limited by) COLLIER (man digging …)

23a

Mother returned father's second last letter in shock (6)

Generating...

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

MA< (mother, returned) [f]A[ther] ZED [last letter]

25a

Refuse screen Oscar (4)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Racer I chat with training runner in the north (10)

flowerflowerflower
27a

Tracker mortgages will lose you most cash ultimately (6)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Cross it hurts catching end of nose grazing spot? (6)

Generating...

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

MAD (cross) OW (it hurts) around (catching) [nos]E

Down

1d

Underwear pretty good quality for soldiers say (7)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Shape that has wide and thin side (5)

flowerflowerflower
3d

Bank opening much later for motorists that is (9)

Generating...

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

DRIVERS (from motorists) + I.E. with D dropped down near the end (opening much later)

5d

Help for actors to determine how old theatre is? (5)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Cherubs or other fliers? (9)

flowerflowerflower
7d

State remains split by Republican framework (7)

Generating...

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

TELL (state) IS (remains) around (split by) R[epublican]

8d

Fresh pollock OK crab stick wrapped in plastic (13)

flowerflowerflower
14d

British aboard tube are relaxed (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Damage top and then remainder of suitcase (9)

Generating...

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

V[alise] (top of suitcase) AND [v]ALISE (bottom of suitcase)

18d

Daring female form given to front of ship? (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Hairy little job close to home mate cutting tree (7)

Generating...

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

[hom]E BRO (mate) inside YEW (tree)

22d

Doctor behind early treatment (5)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Sap drinker in pub breaking a hand (5)

flowerflowerflower