Independent Cryptic #1827

2025-03-02

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Across

1a

Metronome sounds a hundred beats (6)

Generating...

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

C – one hundred & LICKS – to beat

5a

Level unfinished mud pies that aren't crusted over (7)

Generating...

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

Most of MU(d) & TARTS – pies – all reversed.

9a

Fernando's group led by Jack, a big fat slug (5)

Generating...

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

J(ack) & the group ABBA who sang Fernando. In the Star Wars films Jabba the Hutt was a big slug

10a

Tie up soldiers in empty Pret for work experience (9)

Generating...

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

LACE – tie up & MEN – soldiers both inside an empty P(re)T

11a

Special hire car from list, hot Merc convertible (7,4)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Faint half-way through spinning (3)

Generating...

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

MID – halfway though – reversed

13a

People who have moved in crossing line with dogs (8)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Love reversible zip, right? (6)

Generating...

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

FA – love, zero, sweet FA reversed & FAIR – right

17a

Quiet station reduced its capacity (6)

flowerflowerflower
19a

Castle housing very old hotel, quaint indeed (8)

Generating...

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

SO – very & O(ld) both inside FORT – castle & H(otel)

22a

Smooth snakes shedding skin (3)

Generating...

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

I assume this is COILS for snakes without the outer letters

24a

Resort's toilet vagrant rogers in (6,5)

Generating...

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

BOG – toilet & a vagrant [ROGERS IN]* I guess vagrants wander around so as an anagram indicator so it works for me

25a

Tattoo covering hip, ten bats? Very well (2,3,4)

Generating...

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

A batty [HIP TEN]* inside INK for tattoo

26a

Domestic supply mothers must keep at home (5)

Generating...

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

IN – at home inside MAS Mothers

27a

Notice couple carrying wide pumpkin in NY? (7)

Generating...

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

I’m not American but I assume it’s a synonym for for sweetheart or similar, W(ide) in SEE- notice & TIE – to couple

28a

Communist pens short anthem with similar sounds (6)

Generating...

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

Most of HYM(n) in RED – communist

Down

2d

Freer in loose robe, tailor having removed a hoop (9)

Generating...

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

One of the “hoops” ie the letter O from a loose [R(o)BE TAILOR]*

3d

Property's rent rising with gas on top (7)

Generating...

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

CHAT – gas, gossip & LET – to rent – reversed

4d

Perhaps I turned blue (8)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Russian who disappeared left in shame (6)

Generating...

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

L(eft) inside STAIN for shame

6d

Quickly list river fish from France (4,3)

Generating...

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

R(iver) & ELL – fish & OF – from & F(rance)

7d

Daughter lifts pretty heavy material (5)

flowerflowerflower
8d

Body changes hard for pal raised and housed by religious patriarch (13)

Generating...

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

H(ard) & PRO – for & MATE – pal all reversed inside MOSES

9d

Non-Darwinian fictions only help right-wingers (4,2,7)

Generating...

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

JUST – only & SOS – help & TORIES – right wingers

15d

Level with secretary about lusts (9)

Generating...

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

LONGS for lusts around AIDE which you could just about use a synonym for secretary

16d

Intimidate pig, taking pressure off colleague (2-6)

Generating...

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

COW – to intimidate & P(ressure) removed for (p)ORKER – pig (colloq)

18d

Never happy in the highest society (7)

Generating...

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

NO – never & BLEST – happy

20d

Cold drink Bond necks? A strong one, for his countrymen (7)

Generating...

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

Well I know it as west country strong cider, not sure on the Bond part. C(old) & RUM – drink in SPY – Bond perhaps

21d

Light greeting ICU nurses on the way back (6)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Spinner used to turn stumps and bails, perhaps (5)

Generating...

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

I think this is just a cryptic def unless someone can see more to it