Independent Cryptic #12265

2026-01-29

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Across

1a

We didn't like this Tesla vehicle's storage space (4)

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4a

First in carvery order unseasoned beef (8)

Generating...

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

First letter of C [arvery] + OM (abbreviation for Order of Merit) + PLAIN (unseasoned). Beef (slang) = usually a noun meaning complaint, but it can also be a verb meaning to complain.

10a

Explain Italian footballers opening British sandwich shop (9)

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11a

Melody not just any note (5)

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12a

Controversial drug and why one does it? (7)

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13a

Gentleman returning extravagant duck dish (7)

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14a

Secure lad freely admitted to having acne scars (9)

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15a

Write sloppily erasing the initial stroke (5)

Generating...

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

[s] CRAWL (write untidily), erasing the initial letter. A swimming stroke using alternating arm movements.

16a

Smart perhaps consuming volume after volume (5)

Generating...

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

SAY (perhaps = for example), containing V (abbreviation for volume) repeated. Slang for wise: probably from the Latin for “to know”, via Spanish or Portuguese.

18a

Endlessly scour each match result (9)

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21a

Tracks fugitives leaving area (7)

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23a

Peacekeepers reflected obvious sort of power (7)

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24a

Sample of burkha/kimono fabric (5)

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25a

Fat starts to appear newly ubiquitous between gym and work (9)

Generating...

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

Starting letters of A [ppear] N [ewly] U [biquitous], between PE (abbreviation for physical exercise = gym) + TOIL (hard work).

26a

Bit of wordplay means ignoring the leftmost edge (8)

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27a

Flipping insect bite! (4)

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Down

2d

Faces away from boor on carpet unconscious (7)

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3d

50% of scary conservative district (9)

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4d

My knickers in a twist seeing this grid's offensive entries? (11)

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5d

Satisfied with opera in America (3)

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6d

One blooming bunch crossworders (5)

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7d

In Byzantine rite a reluctance to change? (7)

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8d

Soldier very quiet about EU surrender (6)

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9d

Quail ground to cook with head removed (6)

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13d

Primitive Red Army unit out of position (11)

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15d

Inexpert company invested in rude slow server option? (9)

Generating...

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

LAY (non-professional = inexpert) + CO (abbreviation for company), inserted into CURT (speaking abruptly in a way considered to be rude). A type of tennis court (where players serve), considered “slow” because balls lose more of their initial speed when striking the surface than on other types of court.

16d

Employees won’t work on this buffet (6)

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17d

Country transport working on connecting universities (7)

Generating...

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

VAN (transport = a vehicle used to transport goods), then AT (working on, as in “at the workbench”) between two U (abbreviation for university). Island country in the South Pacific Ocean.

19d

Concerning journalist to acknowledge having gone behind (7)

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20d

Send flower to support tense husband (6)

Generating...

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

RILL (a brook or stream = water that flows = flower), after (below, in a down clue) T (abbreviation for tense) + H (abbreviation for husband). As in the song “You send me” = to move someone into a state of rapture.

22d

First-class drink and gallons in the cask? (5)

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25d

Criticise camera technique (3)

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