Independent Cryptic #12238

2025-12-29

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Oddly sign urgent message about secretary being drunk (9)

Generating...

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

[s] I [g] N (alternate letters of sign) + CABLE around PA

6a

Gets ready to fire sailor verbally (5)

Generating...

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

Soundalike (verbally) of ‘cox’

9a

Repeated prayers of model captured by a photographer scratching backside at shrine's opening (7)

Generating...

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

MAN RA [y] (US artist and photographer) minus the last letter (scratching backside) around T (model captured) + S (shrine’s opening)

10a

Pass over vast areas creating disorder (7)

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11a

Our fellow recalled entering temporary residence's contest (10)

Generating...

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

OUR + reversal of MAN (our fellow recalled) inside (entering) TENT

12a

Huge electronic image (4)

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14a

Range collapsing is rare (6)

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15a

Dealing with newly delivered type of light at ends of sea wall (8)

Generating...

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

NEON (type of light) + AT (from surface) + A L (last letters of sea wall)

18a

During which readers learn periodically about investigation (8)

flowerflowerflower
19a

In Illinois metropolis get wind back after gym workout's over (6)

Generating...

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

Reversal (back) of AIR (wind) after PE (gym workout) + O (over, in cricket)

21a

Dodgy condition flimsy on the outside (4)

Generating...

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

IF (condition, as in ‘no ifs, no buts’) + F [lims] Y

23a

Ceremony where tailored robes placed before vice-president (10)

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26a

Relative getting Republican into trouble (7)

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27a

Roman fountain therefore could be source of Prosecco (7)

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28a

500 replaced by 1000 in accounts functions (5)

Generating...

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

WOR [d] S (accounts) with the D (500) replaced by K (1,000)

29a

Rock SS Resonance ? (9)

Generating...

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

S AND S (SS) + TONE (resonance)

Down

1d

Suggests cancelling half of time for prisoners (7)

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2d

Filleted main courses cooked for patrons (9)

Generating...

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

Anagram (cooked) of M [ai] N (filleted main) COURSES

3d

Weird father organised topless model attending ball every now and then (10)

Generating...

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

PA + RAN (organised) + [f] ORM (topless model) + alternate letters of [b] A [l] L (ball every now and then)

4d

With funds finally invested boom or bust (5)

Generating...

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

Insertion (invested) of S (funds finally) in BOOM

5d

Risk adding nitrogen to exploding grenade (8)

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6d

Taking part in Monica Seles's action (4)

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7d

Hook applauds pair at the bottom exchanging places (5)

Generating...

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

CLAPS (applauds) with a reversal of the last two letters (pair at the bottom, in a down clue)

8d

Catches up with Cilla leaving Los Angeles with drawing aid (7)

Generating...

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

Reversal (up, in a down clue) of NETS + CIL [la] (minus, or leaving, LA)

13d

Media chats when Bury compete with Stoke initially (10)

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16d

Director's pitch supported by excited nation (9)

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17d

Shipping hazards kill barnacles eiders razorbills gannets and seagulls in the beginning (8)

Generating...

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

ICE (kill) + initial letters (in the beginning) of B arnacles E iders R azorbills G annets S eagulls

18d

Multi-coloured sun god's funky weapon (7)

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20d

Astonishing disappointment expressed over phone company ringing unspecified number endlessly (7)

Generating...

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

AW (expression of disappointment) over EE (mobile phone company) around SOM [e] (unspecified number endlessly)

22d

Knock down priest carrying large doughnuts (5)

Generating...

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

FR (father, hence priest) around (carrying) L OO (large doughnuts)

24d

John for one is a long time impressing army officer (5)

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25d

Like this article on America expelling Eritrean leader (4)

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