Independent Cryptic #12211

2025-11-27

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

German sex dwarf (6)

flowerflowerflower
4a

Argued after back massage delved deep (8)

Generating...

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

ROWED (argued) after RUB (massage) reversed or ‘back’

9a

Edit left-wing piece of legislation? (6)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Make quick note about small fish competing for attention? (8)

Generating...

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

JOT (make quick note) ‘about’ S (small) + LING (fish)

12a

Cockney's announced One Direction singer will make roofing material (10)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Mountain equipment's end went out of shape (4)

Generating...

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

BEN (mountain) T (last letter or ‘end’ of equipment)

15a

Break out of revolutionary clean environment at last (5)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Aggression stands out in Trump's ultimate American (9)

Generating...

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

SHINES (stands out) in P (last or ‘ultimate’ letter  in Trump) US (American)

18a

A beautiful region of Wales for cycling; Welshman cycles (9)

Generating...

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

WALES with the last letter brought to the front or ‘cycling’ + ALED (Welshman) also ‘cycling’ – the last letter brought to the front

19a

Getting hot takes clothes off to dine at home (5)

Generating...

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

h EATIN g (getting hot) missing first and last letters or ‘taking clothes off’

21a

My word is for ever (4)

flowerflowerflower
22a

Was informed about a very strange new word meaning 'to the skies' (10)

Generating...

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

HEARD (was informed) about A V (very) and an anagram (‘strange’) of NEW

25a

Novel idea to limit suffering sung in prayer (8)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Cheerful judge with rounded figure around waist essentially (6)

Generating...

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

J (judge) OVAL (rounded figure) around I (middle or ‘essential’ letter of waist)

27a

Affected by woman's short top - until now (8)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Repair piping blocked by bit of muck (6)

Generating...

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

REEDY (piping) round or ‘blocking’ M (first letter or ‘bit’ of muck)

Down

1d

After reflecting say a card game is rubbish (7)

Generating...

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

A reversal (‘reflecting’) of EG (say) A BRAG (card game)

2d

Subordinate's booty shaking place (5)

Generating...

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

pl UNDER (booty) without or ‘shaking’ ‘pl’ (place)

3d

Pressure on wonderful compiler to be front-runner (10)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Use envelopes surprisingly prepared in advance (12)

flowerflowerflower
6d

German going topless in luxury hotel (4)

Generating...

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

f RITZ (German) missing first letter or ‘going topless’

7d

Cook tea with me: chicken perhaps (9)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Party with Bill perhaps in Venetian offices (7)

flowerflowerflower
11d

Partying lets pandemic shift (12)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Drunk oenophile drinking gallons put in specific compartment (10)

Generating...

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

An anagram (‘drunk’) of OENOPHILE around or ‘drinking’ G (gallons)

16d

Excited once more starts to send texts which is touching (9)

Generating...

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

UP (excited) AGAIN (once more) and first letters or ‘starts’ to Send Texts

18d

Vegetable crisp in a cheesy casing (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Give assent to colleague in the style of a knob (7)

flowerflowerflower
23d

A large diamond for adventurous girl (5)

Generating...

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

A L (large) ICE (diamond) – Alice in Wonderland

24d

Domestic slave makes new coats (4)

flowerflowerflower