Independent Cryptic #12222

2025-12-10

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Across

5a

Picked up tips from tramp in tent (6)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (picked up = heard) of T + P , which are the end letters (tips) of T [ram] P . A traditional tent used by Native Americans.

6a

Thick-skinned individual left during fight with America (6)

Generating...

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

L (abbreviation for left) inserted into WAR (fight) + US (America). Marine mammal with a thick leathery hide.

9a

English Tory's desperate for aphrodisiac (6)

Generating...

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

Anagram (desperate) of E (abbreviation for English) + TORY’S . Traditionally considered an aphrodisiac; according to Wikipedia, eating them may boost production of some sex hormones.

10a

Boxing in Jack and King with lead of ten (8)

Generating...

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

NOB (name for a Jack in some card games) + LEAR (Shakespearean King Lear) + leading letter of T [en]. The noble art = nickname for the sport of boxing.

11a

Desire back massage before noon (4)

Generating...

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

RUB (massage) reversed (back), before N (abbreviation for noon). Burn, as a verb = to desire something very strongly.

12a

Wyatt Earp perhaps following in darkness to stop urge evolving (10)

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13a

Figures plan to develop oil rich area (11)

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18a

On and on and on railing at international banishment (10)

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21a

Change ends in bar therefore (4)

Generating...

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

SHUT (bar, as a verb = prevent access to), with the end letters S and T changing places.

22a

English stories about crime location in Hamlet (8)

Generating...

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

E (abbreviation for English) + LORE (stories = legends), around SIN (crime). Shakespeare’s English name for Helsingør in Denmark, location of the castle where Hamlet is set.

23a

Land fish on film next to river (6)

Generating...

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

WANDA (fish on film, as in the 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda ) next to R (abbreviation for river).

24a

Stones German composer (6)

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25a

Quits on the phone like Polly? (6)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (on the phone = heard) of PARROTY (like a parrot = like Polly). I’m sure some will say that they pronounce the I and O in these two words differently, but it’s close enough for me. As in “call it quits” = no advantage to either side = parity.

Down

1d

Pass judgement on several words appropriately structured (8)

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2d

Pull again an inflammatory action (6)

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3d

Ruin ostentatious jewellery's mottled appearance (8)

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4d

Tail of rook found in tree (6)

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5d

Blossoming after score in rugby test (6)

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7d

Steamship touring Great Lake for regularly broadcast shows (6)

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8d

Die in Bhutan horribly having had liver removed? (11)

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14d

Experienced a child punching others (8)

Generating...

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

A SON (a child) inserted into SEED (descendants in general = other children). As in “a seasoned performer” = someone with a lot of experience of doing something.

15d

Libertine's destiny with many wives and concubines curtailed by love (8)

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16d

Exhaustion from travelling in spring with convict (6)

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17d

Delivered ice cream for start of week? (6)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (delivered = spoken) of SUNDAE (ice cream served with toppings).

19d

Upstanding chap claiming jail reformed prophet (6)

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20d

Opera lover's head is not unusual (6)

Generating...

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

NORMA (opera by Bellini) + first letter (head) of L [over].