Independent Cryptic #1819

2025-01-05

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Across

7a

Slight difficulties if Romeo cracks shellfish (8)

Generating...

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

R omeo inside WINKLES – shellfish

9a

Long seat in church aisle needing length (6)

Generating...

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

CH(urch) & L(ength) removed from AIS(l)E

10a

Rent more than it was reported (4)

Generating...

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

Sounds like HIGHER, more than

11a

Bossy politician to the right behind Macron's dad (10)

Generating...

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

PERE – French for father & MP TORY – one on the right

12a

Old dog on film is one that howls (6)

Generating...

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

Old Yeller is a Disney film about a stray dog

13a

Rubber lips for notable work by Magritte, say (8)

Generating...

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

The lips or edges of N otabl E & OP – work & RENE (magritte)

14a

Naughty ad by telephone not acceptable (6,3,4)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Obsessive hiding front of fashion mag with hands (8)

Generating...

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

ANAL – obsessive & the front removed from (v)OGUE

19a

Criticise time taken by BT, getting back on line (6)

Generating...

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

ERA – time – in BT & end of lin E

21a

Boisterous Irish returned, supporting a band (3-7)

Generating...

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

IR(ish) reversed & PRO – for, supporting & A & RING – band

22a

Rose sounded triumphant, making a hundred grand (4)

Generating...

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

CREW – was bragging with C – hundred – replaced by G(rand)

23a

Property found in toilet at Selfridges returned (6)

flowerflowerflower
24a

'Up for it' dig MeToo rubbished (8)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Vineyard can be found close to the coast (6)

Generating...

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

To coast, cruise along. CRU – vineyard & IS & end of th E

2d

Make light of dropping Penny's cushion on the floor (8)

Generating...

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

P enny removed from UNDER p LAY – make light of

3d

Queen carrying long stick flipped runner off (6)

Generating...

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

POLE flipped & ER – late queen. This would only work in a down clue

4d

European rocket chicks regularly brought up in chitchat (8)

Generating...

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

E uropean & ZOOM – rocket & alternate letters of c H i C k S all reversed

5d

English teacher missing end of term, for a festival (6)

Generating...

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

E nglish & end of ter M removed from (m)ASTER – teacher

6d

Tighten Geraint's wheels (8)

flowerflowerflower
8d

England at that point during series toughening up (13)

Generating...

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

ENG(land) & THEN – at that point – all in STRING – series of events

14d

Extremely good-looking NI footballer keeps playing there (8)

Generating...

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

(george) BEST a (in)famous former Northern Ireland footballer with ON – playing & NI inserted

15d

Carrying blade, wandering Genoa's dangerous neighbourhood (2-2,4)

Generating...

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

OAR – a rowing blade in a wandering GENOA*

16d

A broken-hearted Wimbledon champion had to annul (8)

Generating...

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

A & (bjorn) BORG with the middle reversed & ATE – had

18d

Early forms of life are vital for evolution - it can be forgotten (6)

Generating...

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

IT needs to be forgotten in a evolving [ARE V(it)AL]*

19d

The Rock put up revolutionary toy tent (3,3)

Generating...

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

GIB(raltar) – The Rock reversed & a spinning TOP toy

20d

Woman driven off a cliff when steering mechanism breaks cheers (6)

Generating...

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

HELM – steering device in TA – cheers