Independent Cryptic #12189

2025-11-01

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Why show comedian’s bits? (7)

flowerflowerflower
5a

Step-by-step accepted Miss Lipa in good 1D (7)

Generating...

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

A[ccepted] DUA (Miss Lipa) in G[ood] R[ight] and L[eft] (hands, from 1d)

9a

Viking’s choice of partners ultimately divisive (5)

Generating...

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

N OR S (choice of partners, ref. card game bridge) [divisiv]E

10a

Kitchen utensil left on counter is life changing - protecting skin on 1D (9)

Generating...

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

(C[ounter] (left on counter) IS LIFE)* AInd: changing , around H[and]S (skin on 1D, HANDS)

11a

Review of problem with university parking (5)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Care about fashion purchasing a little couture - sweet! (9)

Generating...

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

(CARE)* AInd: about , then C[outure] in MAKE (fashion)

14a

Liberally 1D around whiskey ice and coke for starters - fairly typical lunch (8)

Generating...

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

(HANDS (Ref. 1d))* AInd: Liberally , around W[hiskey] I[ce] C[oke]

15a

Woman caught breaking in by Bard hatching plan (6)

Generating...

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

C[aught] inside SHE (woman) then ME (Bard)

17a

Red gold and brown a bit too much (6)

flowerflowerflower
19a

Burdens of official checks discussed (8)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Malefactors from Tesla maybe left in 1D of EU oddly case for regulators? (9)

Generating...

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

EV (Tesla maybe, electric vehicle), then L[eft] inside I D (1d, not hands this time), then O[f] E[u] “oddly”, then R[egulator]S

23a

Swimmers’ gestures of goodwill not using 1D (5)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Marathon run cut short with 1D frequently lacking kit for colder weather (9)

Generating...

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

LONG JO[g] (Marathon run, cut short), H[a]N[d]S (1D, frequently lacking)

27a

More distant I see - that’s right! (5)

Generating...

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

“I C” (“I see”) I.E. (that is) R[ight]

28a

Call it a day having received medal and diamonds (7)

Generating...

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

GOT OBE (having received medal) D[iamonds]

29a

[Show Me Love Spinning Around Come What May] and (7)

Generating...

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

(SHOW ME O (love))* AInd: spinning around .

Down

1d

People working - they’re on the clock (5)

Generating...

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

Double Def.

2d

Rucksack emptied into ladies 1D (7)

Generating...

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

R[ucksac]K in WOMEN (ladies)

3d

Subdued group of haematologists were proved wrong (11)

Generating...

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

(O – O is most the common blood group, thus the most common “group” of haematologists) ,  (PROVED WERE)* AInd: wrong .

4d

Top pairs in effortless finish calmly cycling showing ability to succeed (8)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Try short bit of sorcery to obtain the truth (6)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Foolish person written about in essays (3)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Guardian regularly ordered tea to go (7)

Generating...

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

[g]U[a]R[d]I[a]N (TEA)* AInd: ordered .

8d

Lacking superior fiction originally gathered erotic literature - especially short stories (9)

flowerflowerflower
13d

Mystic charm destroyed in witch hunt (11)

flowerflowerflower
14d

23A battered with beer start to go quick! (9)

Generating...

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

(HAKES, ref. 23A)* AInd: battered , ALE (beer) G[o]

16d

“Every society is…” Eliot continues (8)

Generating...

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

PER (every) S[ociety] IS TS [Eliot]

18d

Pastry binge spoiled appetite essentially (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Sort of salmon head cut off and stuffed with tiny bit of fennel and squid? (7)

Generating...

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

[p]INKISH (sort of salmon, the colour, head cut off) around (stuffed with) F[ennel]

21d

Manner of drug overdose (6)

flowerflowerflower
24d

Kate quiet about wife (5)

flowerflowerflower
26d

Jack tar shot in the arm (3)

flowerflowerflower