Independent Cryptic #12234

2025-12-24

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Across

6a

A person that really suits eimi taking a stimulant drug (7)

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8a

No matter who is in first class going around (6)

Generating...

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

NY (=entry at 26) in A ONE (=first class, i.e. A1)

9a

Girl getting particular shade of brown somewhere in Ireland (9)

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11a

Reign changing hands which has some attraction (4)

Generating...

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

R U L E (=reign, of monarch); “changing hands ” means that right (=R) and left (=L) change places in the word!

12a

Sing The King is in the altogether cryptically (5)

Generating...

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

CR (=the King, i.e. Charles Rex) + O ON (=in the altogether, cryptically, i.e. nothing on)

13a

Lady in 26 with method to find theatre district (8)

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15a

Clothes billowed unfortunately revealing vital components (15)

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18a

Call about large drink (8)

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20a

Somewhat nautical area of (5)

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23a

An opening perhaps education provides (4)

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24a

Note altered reality in this story (9)

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25a

Stone fruit left out next to frozen water (6)

Generating...

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

P <l> UM (=fruit; “ left (=L) out” means letter “l” is dropped) + ICE (=frozen water)

26a

City-state (7)

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Down

1d

Eccentric chap one working in programming including games principally (6)

Generating...

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

G <ames> (“principally” means first letter only) in CODER (=one working in programming)

2d

Alloy always only half finished (5)

Generating...

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

INVAR <iably> (=always, constantly); “only half finished” means 5 out of 10 letters are dropped; according to Chambers , Invar is an alloy of iron and nickel that expands only slightly when heated, used in the making of scientific instruments

3d

With Yard anticipating limits on policy my friend and I will be waving goodbye (9)

Generating...

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

AND (=with) + Y (=yard, i.e. abbreviation) + P AND Y (=limits on policy, i.e. first and last letters of the word p olic y ); the reference is to the BBC children’s programme Andy Pandy, originally aired in the 1950s, at the end of which Andy Pandy and a friend would wave goodbye to viewers

4d

Dog track (6)

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5d

Pinter play involving three people: a woman and two men (8)

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7d

Cockney's to give assistance carrying last serving of gefilte fish (7)

Generating...

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

<gefilt> E (“last serving of” means last letter only) in <h> ELP OUT (=to give assistance; “Cockney’s” means letter “h” is dropped); according to Chambers , an eelpout is the burbot or viviparous blenny

10d

Mathematician from Swiss city university flipping unwell (9)

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14d

A fight following one change of policy (9)

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16d

Little Jack briefly hugging Philip in dance (8)

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17d

A flower opening? (7)

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19d

West caught up in cricket review system fantasies (6)

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21d

Note hidden in singer's toast (6)

Generating...

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

E (=note, in music) in CHER’S (=singer’s)

22d

Overstimulated PR person (5)

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