Independent Cryptic #12246

2026-01-07

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Across

8a

Hustlers in resort showing no compassion (8)

Generating...

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

Anagram (in re-sort = sorting again) of HUSTLERS .

9a

Model missing at Underground station (6)

Generating...

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

TEMPL [at] E (model = a basis to be adapted as required), without AT (from clue text). On the Circle and District lines, between Embankment and Blackfriars.

10a

Tight members of hunting party being sent back (4)

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11a

Travellers seen going after a perfume (5)

Generating...

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

ROMA (ethnic group of travelling people) after A (from clue text).

12a

Film audience's avoided (4)

Generating...

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

Sound-alike (audience’s = as an audience would hear it) of MISSED (avoided). As in a misted-up windscreen: a film of condensation on a surface.

13a

To embellish gold call conservationists (8)

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16a

One fired from shop is to litigate (6)

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18a

Stand for stiff drink in Berlin bar? (4)

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20a

From abandoned shed pig feasted (5)

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21a

Former US serviceman getting round Prohibition (4)

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22a

Given spades cutting ditches (6)

Generating...

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

SCRAP (cutting = a small piece cut out of a larger sheet of paper), with S (abbreviation for spades, in card games) added (given) to it. Ditch, as a verb = scrap = discard.

23a

Hanging judge on past performance terminally disposed (8)

Generating...

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

TRY (judge, as a verb), added to an anagram (disposed = arranged) of PAST + last letter (terminally) of [performanc] E . A wall-hanging.

26a

Second wicket interrupted by English catcall? (4)

Generating...

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

MO (abbreviation for moment = second) + W (wicket, in cricket scoring), containing (interrupted by) E (abbreviation for English).

28a

Disregarding system turn around in French street (5)

Generating...

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

GO (turn, in a game where players take part one after another) reversed (around), in RUE (French word for a street). As in “going rogue” = not acting according to the rules.

30a

Head away from seashore it's like an oven (4)

Generating...

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

[c[ OAST (seashore) without the first letter (head). A building for drying hops over a fire in preparation for brewing.

31a

Settled beside quarry experts surveying bird (6)

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32a

Keep back intelligence two hours out of date (8)

Generating...

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

WIT (intelligence or understanding, as in “beyond the wit of man” or “scared witless”) + H H (two H = abbreviation for hour) + OLD (out of date).

Down

1d

Service inspired by conversion of true apostate? (6)

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2d

Time to stay close to gorilla? (4)

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3d

Discuss revolutionary plot over high tea (6)

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4d

City spectacles entertaining school on vacation (4)

Generating...

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

O O (two zeros = spectacles, especially in cricket where “a pair of spectacles” or just “a pair” means a player’s score of zero in both innings of a match), containing (entertaining) S [choo] L (on vacation = after emptying = inner letters removed). Capital city of Norway.

5d

Son caught in thongs maybe (8)

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6d

One's a leader in Mecca? (4)

Generating...

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

I’M (one is) + A (from clue text) + leading letter of M [ecca]. Clue-as-definition: an Islamic leader, for example in the Islamic holy city of Mecca.

7d

Make more substantial shelf for compiler? (8)

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14d

Ordinary accident holds up advanced vessel (5)

Generating...

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

O (abbreviation for ordinary, as in O-level exams) + RTA (abbreviation for road traffic accident), after (below, in a down clue = supporting = holding up) A (abbreviation for advanced). A blood vessel.

15d

Trustee completely disheartened after tax conviction (5)

Generating...

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

T [ruste] E (with all the inner letters removed = competely dis-heartened), then NET (the value of a sum of money after tax is deducted). Conviction = tenet = firmly-held belief.

17d

Husbands welcome aboard steamship (5)

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19d

Where bats are seen to rise (8)

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20d

Oddly suspend trips around ancient city ruins (8)

Generating...

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

Odd-numbered letters of S [u] S [p] E [n] D , reversed (trips, as a verb = falls over = turns upside down in a down clue?), around TROY (ancient city). If you think “trips” is a bit of a stretch for a reversal, we could call it an anagram indicator and point out that reversal is just a special case of an anagram.

24d

Fairly minor heckler finally shut up (6)

Generating...

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

PETTY (minor), with the last letter of [heckle] R shut up inside it. As in “pretty good” = fairly good = good but not outstanding.

25d

Take lower road in principle (6)

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27d

Needing turnover attract patients (4)

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29d

Go west to join new outfit (4)

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30d

Having switched sides slavishly follow line (4)

Generating...

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

ECHO (slavishly follow or copy), with the end letters (sides) E and O switched. The line where darts players stand when aiming at the board.