Independent Cryptic #12236

2025-12-26

Solve on Independent →

Across

6a

Tediously continue playing pantomime dame? (6)

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8a

Quality of the Lions timelessly remains in the memory (7)

Generating...

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

IS (remains, as a verb) in [t] HE without the T (abbreviation for time, hence “timelessly” + ROM (abbreviation for read-only memory in electronic devices).

11a

When you might need New Year diary for resolution? Separate answers in it (9)

Generating...

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

Anagram (for resolution) of NY (abbreviation for New Year) + DIARY , with two A (abbreviation for answer) inserted separately. As in “save it for a rainy day” = to store something in case you need it in future.

12a

A city of Russia to one of Belarus in deserts (5)

Generating...

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

TO (from clue text) + M [in] SK (capital city of Belarus) with the IN removed (deserting it).

13a

Superb quiet retreats are almost devoid of basics for living (9)

flowerflowerflower
16a

Worked through “U”? (4)

Generating...

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

Triple definition, though the first two are related meanings. As in working (doing) a stitching pattern in sewing or knitting; as in “I’m through with it” = done = finished; or as in “the done thing” = acceptable behaviour, for example the perceived class distinction between “U” and “non-U” usage.

17a

Here in board meeting a knight starts to stiffen (4)

Generating...

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

In chess (a meeting of two players at a board), one of the knights starts in square B1 = B ONE in algebraic chess notation. Bone, as a verb = to stiffen a garment (typically a corset or bodice) with long thin strips, originally made of whalebone but now usually metal or plastic.

19a

Thumbs up Badenoch predominantly struck dumb (5)

Generating...

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

Anagram (up) of THUM [b] S without the first letter (predominantly?) of B[adenoch]. Shtum (or variant spellings) = slang for not saying anything.

20a

Were he thematic this GI would be Smokin’ (3)

Generating...

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

A reference to the boxer Joe Frazier, known as “Smokin’ Joe”, who could be part of today’s theme of boxing nicknames. GI or Joe, or indeed “GI Joe”, can all be slang for a US soldier.

21a

My sweet pasta sauce is on the counter (5)

Generating...

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

RAGU’S (a meat-based pasta sauce is), reversed (on the counter). Sugar = my sweet = terms of endearment.

23a

Keen customer might need this to access her online bank details? (4)

flowerflowerflower
24a

On retirement right to join top club (4)

Generating...

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

R (abbreviation for right) inserted into NO I (No. 1 = top), all reversed (on retirement). I’m not sure “to join” is quite right as an insertion indicator. Iron = a type of golf club.

26a

Films refuse to spread viral phenomena (9)

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29a

Rough with the shakes (5)

flowerflowerflower
31a

Theatre actor in the end eschewing training under Larry (9)

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32a

Western capital in which you’ll find an appropriate leader (7)

Generating...

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

ROME (a capital city) reversed (Western = running East to West = left to right), with PER (as in “once per hour” = “once an hour”) inserted. Extended definition: historically the Emperor was based in Rome.

33a

Pounds sterling this job will make student! (6)

Generating...

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

Reverse wordplay: L (usually written £ = abbreviation for Latin libra = a pound, hence the currency symbol for British pounds sterling) in front of EARNER makes LEARNER (student). As in “a nice little earner” = a job that pays well.

Down

1d

Maximum gettable for beginners on an exam (8)

flowerflowerflower
2d

The Lady of Seville is taking off from a certain terminal (6)

Generating...

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

LA DOÑA (Spanish for “the lady”, as in the Spanish city of Seville), reversed (taking off = rising = upwards in a down clue). Relating to the anode = the positive terminal of an electrical cell.

3d

Given the No. 1 carriage? (4)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Possibly writing small piece about one of us? (4)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Suspiciously letting one off ain’t him (6)

Generating...

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

Anagram (suspiciously) of AIN’T H [i] M , removing (letting off) an I (one in Roman numerals). Clue-as-definition: a hitman doesn’t generally let his victims get away. Or perhaps we have to imagine him “letting off” a shot from a firearm, but in a way that doesn’t raise suspicion about him.

7d

Low-down type initiated contacts with former mistress? Nob (9)

Generating...

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

GEN (low-down = slang for information) + first letter (. . . initiated) of T [ype] + LEMAN (a lover, but with “former” to indicate that it’s an archaic word). Nob = slang for upper-class person (gentleman) as perceived by someone of a lower class.

9d

Compère will need this guy before November (4)

Generating...

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

I think this is a triple definition, though the second and third may be intended in combination. Short for microphone, typically used by a compère hosting an event; a man’s name (guy = slang for man); or the code-word for the letter M in the radio alphabet, so immediately before November which represents N.

10d

A high-quality tea Mark’s passed up in Coloradan town (7)

Generating...

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

AN ASSAM (tea from the Assam region of India: I suppose “high-quality” in that it’s a single-origin tea rather than a blend?), with the M (abbreviation for mark, as in the former German currency Deutsche Mark or DM) moved to the start (passed up, in a down clue). Well, it’s a town in Colorado, but I hadn’t heard of it.

14d

Tolerated a shorter version of the Ancient Mariner ? (5)

flowerflowerflower
15d

Deer series being talked about (3)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (being talked about) of ROW (series = things arranged in a line). A species of deer.

16d

Tale with a twist in does perhaps factor in ruin? (9)

Generating...

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

STORY (tale) with the O and R swapped (with a twist), inserted into DEER (perhaps does = female deer).

18d

Supporting vineyards woman who’s operating the presses? (7)

flowerflowerflower
20d

Caught working out the little fella (3)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (caught = heard) of GYM (working out = doing physical exercise). Short version of the man’s name James = little fella.

22d

Top sides rev Bellamy’s team up? (8)

flowerflowerflower
25d

Meat Loaf’s formula? Uplifting record taking chap to top (6)

Generating...

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

EP (abbreviation for extended-play record) + ICER (one who ices cakes = one who puts toppings on them = chap to top), all reversed (uplifting = upwards in a down clue). Definition by example: recipe = list of ingredients and instructions (formula) for making a specific food (for example a meat loaf).

27d

Hand 7 addressed boxes a year from Christmas (6)

Generating...

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

MR (form of address used to a 7d GENTLEMAN), containing (boxing) A (from clue text) + [y] ULE (Christmas) without the Y (abbreviation for year). Slang for a hand, though Chambers (or at least the edition I have) only recognises the word in the plural.

28d

He’s out of the way in Paris flat (4)

Generating...

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

T [he] (from clue text) with HE taken out, then RUE (French for street, so “way in Paris”). True = flat = straight and not warped, as in a plank of wood or a snooker table.

30d

Three-foot garden (4)

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31d

Brought up Talk Radio’s secret (4)

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