Independent Cryptic #1879

2026-03-01

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Across

1a

Sergeant major really in favour of cough sweet gets mint (12)

Generating...

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

SM (sergeant major) + ALL FOR (really in favour) + TUNE (Tunes, formerly a brand of cough sweet)

9a

Dog performing with duck coming last? (5)

Generating...

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

DOING (performing) with the O (duck) moved to the end

10a

Fixing device you can't see the point of? (9)

Generating...

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

Cryptic definition

11a

Is trooper on manoeuvres bringing up the rear? (9)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Programme you might have seen about sport endless one (5)

Generating...

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

RE (about) + RU (rugby union, so sport) + [o] N [e] (endless one)

13a

Missouri town at the cinema going out (6)

Generating...

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

Double definition, the first referring to the fictional town in the movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

15a

Greens sanctioned peace agreements putting Republican out (8)

Generating...

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

LET (sanctioned) + T [r] UCES (peace agreements minus R)

18a

Congratulations are expected at event according to Spooner (8)

Generating...

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

Spoonerism of “should go” (are expected at event)

19a

Come and see this smoke (6)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Roger rather than Edward (5)

Generating...

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

NOT ED. Or I suppose it could be NO TED for ‘rather than Edward’

23a

Exaggerate love with poem full of rubbish (9)

Generating...

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

O + VERSE around (full of) TAT

25a

Father lost everything in landslide (9)

Generating...

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

Anagram (lost) of FATHER + ALL

26a

Fake ID unfortunately getting one imprisoned (5)

Generating...

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

ALAS around I (getting one imprisoned)

27a

Date weird chat room men? I say it'll end badly (12)

Generating...

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

D (date) + anagram (weird) of CHAT ROOM MEN

Down

2d

Without good weather one's upset (5)

Generating...

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

Reversal (upset) of SUN + I’M

3d

Untidy business spotted in toilet diapers emptied out? (9)

Generating...

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

SEEN (spotted) in LOO D [iaper] S

4d

Thin metal ship has cracked being rock-bound (6)

Generating...

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

Insertion (has cracked) of SS inside FOIL . For the def, I take “being” to be a noun

5d

Change advocate dealing with ex (8)

Generating...

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

RE + FORMER

6d

Perfect golf club short of parking (5)

Generating...

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

[p] UTTER (putter minus p, short of parking)

7d

April ice melting around start of month going by experience (9)

Generating...

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

Anagram (melting) of APRIL ICE M [onth]

8d

Short of cash after a single drink for each son (12)

Generating...

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

ON ONE (after a single) + SUP (drink) PER (for each) S (son)

9d

Two pegs Ronald fashioned in identical spirit (12)

Generating...

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

Anagram (fashioned) of PEG PEG (two pegs) RONALD

14d

Distribute beer to old Glaswegian drunk (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

PM thanks Tories regularly every single one (9)

Generating...

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

TA (thanks) + [t] O [r] I [e] S (tories regularly) + EACH

17d

Tree by the beach still sheltering old policeman (8)

Generating...

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

CALM (still) around (sheltering) O COP

20d

Travelling salesman set up rural department stores (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Homeric quote you cut short in ring with heavyweights (5)

Generating...

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

DOH (quote from Homer Simpson) + YO [u], for the name of the area in which sumo bouts take place

24d

Strange story that article covers (5)

Generating...

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

Envelope (that… covers) of LIE inside AN