Times Cryptic #28828

2024-02-01

Solve on Times →

Across

1a

Mostly useless runner failing to finish in twilight (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

DUD(useless) minus the last letter and SKI(runner) minus the last letter

3a

After delaying line, worth digesting Dickens play (10)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

move the L(line) along in VALUE(worth) and insert DEVIL(Dickens). Collins confirms this can mean a comic theatrical piece as well as the style of show.

10a

Maybe Lynn pots mountain plant (7)

flowerflowerflower
11a

Back in flat, select instrument (7)

flowerflowerflower
12a

Proserpine, frantic with lust, beds a group containing Mars? (8,7)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Enjoy and let go, ignoring trendy question (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

RELINQUISH(let go) minus IN(trendy) and QU(question). I liked this clue a lot

14a

Fragrant vapour having appeared intermittently outside (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

FUME(vapour) inside alternating letters in aPpEaReD

17a

Football team, one welcoming new scorer (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

ALBION(football team), and I(one) containing N(new) for the composer Tomaso

18a

Strict name indicator (6)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Leave little room for airport customs inspection? That's easily decided (4-3-4,4)

Generating...
23a

Dupes four unclothed idiots (7)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Enormous belt snaps on 37.5 per cent of trousers (7)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Criminal resorted to the obvious way out? (6,4)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Hack stone (4)

flowerflowerflower

Down

1d

Factor is contributing to separation abandoned by church (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

IS inside DIVORCE(separation) minus CE(church). Maths part 2!.

2d

No ultimate sign of wear in this small travel iron? (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Long distance runner, one in old women's race (6)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Make out first of month by going around husband (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

the first of the month could be DEC 1, then PER(by) surrounding H(husband)

6d

Frugal vicar not working 24/7, possibly (6,8)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Thread through northern town missing vehicle (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

CARLISLE(northern town) minus CAR(vehicle)

8d

Doctor pleased to have passed (7)

flowerflowerflower
9d

Typical delegate (14)

flowerflowerflower
15d

Drink raised pulse on a girl (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Protectively coated adenoids malfunctioning (8)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Loving Muslim Filipino embraced by two kinds of American (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

MORO(Muslim Filipino) inside A and US(two kinds of American)

19d

The setter is cursed with old doctrine in Early English (3,2,2)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

W(with), O(old) then ISM(doctrine) inside EE(Early English)

20d

Minor example of House and The Observer initially supporting British PM once (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

HUT(minor example of a house) and the first letters of The Observer underneath B for the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir

22d

Penetrate heart of USA, not getting caught (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

CENTER(heart in USA) minus C(caught)