Independent Cryptic #12248

2026-01-09

Solve on Independent →

Across

1a

Departs with booze in barrel (4)

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4a

Have a second job - flash working followed by rest (9)

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10a

Encores rang out - from this part of church? (11)

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11a

Tree bark (3)

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12a

Drop off surface (3)

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13a

Driven by courage to pin down constant source of feminine attraction? (11)

Generating...

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

C (=constant, in maths) in [SENT (=driven, propelled) + BOTTLE (=courage, pluck)]

14a

British author showing increasing cunning? (6)

Generating...

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

As arch means cunning, crafty, becoming archer could be “showing increasing cunning”; the reference is to British author and former politician Jeffrey Archer (1940-)

16a

Theatrical magician favouring twirling ropes (8)

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20a

Nonsense writer penning start of poem getting positive response - a regular occurrence (8)

Generating...

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

[ P <oem> (“start of” means first letter only) + YEA (=positive response, affirmative vote)] in LEAR (=nonsense writer, i.e. Edward Lear and his nonsense verse); since it happens once every four years, a leap year can be described as “a regular occurrence”!

21a

English person unwelcome overseas? Smile and depart (6)

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23a

Jack losing heart in summer is conflicted accepting university later - the attraction of Amsterdam? (11)

Generating...

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

U (=university) in *( J <ac> K + SUMMER IS); “losing heart” means middle letters are dropped from anagram, indicated by “is conflicted”; the Rijksmuseum is a much-visited art museum in Amsterdam

25a

Not entirely compassionate relationship (3)

Generating...

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

KIN <d> (=compassionate, gentle); “not entirely” means last letter is dropped

26a

Function needing no initial skill (3)

Generating...

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

<p> ART (=function, role); “needing no initial” means first letter is dropped

27a

‘Style’ included in version of a normal description of Queen? (11)

Generating...

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

CHIC (=style, fashion) in *(A NORMAL); “in version of” is anagram indicator

28a

Additional people arrived besieging British coastal resort (9)

Generating...

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

B (=British) in [MORE (=additional people) + CAME (=arrived)]; Morecambe is a UK coastal resort in Lancashire

29a

Astute in the old way (4)

Generating...

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

wise is an archaic (“old”) word for way, manner , as in in any wise

Down

2d

Poor Scots upset about good dress (5)

Generating...

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

G (=good) + PUIR (=poor Scots, i.e. a Scots word for poor ); “upset” indicates a vertical reversal; to rig up is to dress or equip

3d

One’s trapped in large unknown religious building (9)

Generating...

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

A in [MONSTER (=large, mammoth, used adjectivally)+ Y (=unknown, in algebra)]

4d

Friend increasingly a mess after one leaves (6)

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5d

Certain to abandon Society after blatant offer (8)

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6d

Language school in Gothenburg offering a restricted range (5)

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7d

Intermediary grand one working to secure venture supported by our group (9)

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8d

Herbal flavouring not currently for you and me (5)

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9d

Wesley say to lose relish we hear for Pope’s name (8)

Generating...

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

JOHN (=Wesley, say, i.e. the English Methodist leader) + homophone (“we hear”) of (to) pall =to lose relish, become vapid; John Paul has so far been the name of two Popes

15d

Actor with judo moves getting religious role? (9)

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17d

Playwright’s written about offender’s handicraft (9)

Generating...

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

CRIM’S (=offender’s, i.e. criminal’s) in SHAW (=playwright, i.e. George Bernard Shaw, from Ireland); scrimshaw is a sailor’s spare-time handicraft, such as carving fanciful designs on shells, whales’ teeth, etc

18d

Irish nationalist once on revolutionary lines (8)

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19d

Tree left above a stream? I’m not sure (8)

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22d

No choice in limitations on game for former King (6)

Generating...

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

The “limitations, i.e. first and last letters, on g am e ” are GE, so if the choice is between “GE or GE”, then there is “no choice”!

23d

Quantity of paper covering lecturer’s field of study (5)

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24d

Whole account identifying Middle Eastern shrub (5)

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25d

Is no longer addicted to excitement (5)

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