Times Cryptic #29105

2024-12-20

Solve on Times →

Across

1a

Detectives on Roman force thick and tenacious (6)

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4a

Spotted smoked ham was in the van (8)

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9a

Notice young man secures vehicle after parking (7)

Generating...

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

LAD around CAR after P

11a

Last of runners flash pastdon't give up (5,2)

Generating...

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

last letter of RUNNERS + TICK BY

12a

Indian side cheers on attack that lacks depth (5)

Generating...

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

TA on RAID (attach) – D (depth)

13a

Cannonball shortly due to land (9)

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14a

Ship leaves once loaded (3,7)

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16a

High street business, can it work? (4)

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19a

Only two-thirds of cutlery put back, oh dear (4)

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20a

20C composer's babel developed technique, all right (4,6)

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22a

NZ city with large aviation facility that is in recession (9)

Generating...

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

W (with) + HANGAR + IE (that is) reversed

23a

Celebration instead of defeat (2,3)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Blood vessel opened by doctor, one showing concern for the motorist (5-2)

Generating...
26a

Adult works at aerobics, desperately wanting shaped abs (7)

Generating...

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

anagram (desperately) AT AEROBICS – anagram (shaped) of ABS

27a

Roll touching substance that's dubious (8)

flowerflowerflower
28a

Little Scottish collars its, on reflection? (6)

Generating...

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

WEE (little Scottish) around ITS reversed Not sure I understand the surface here…

Down

1d

Tiny hole in tank terminal for that old canal boat (9)

Generating...

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

PORE (tiny hole) in VAT (tank) + last letter of (terminal for) THAT + O (old)

2d

Venerable Hindu perhaps crawled over India (5)

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3d

Wonky line cut by fine horse unsuited to ploughing (8)

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5d

Sit around drunk at four, late out of theatre (4-9)

Generating...
6d

Conservative begins Hard Times (6)

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7d

Fancy something strong to drink quickly (4,1,4)

Generating...

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

LIKE (fancy) + A SHOT (something strong to drink)

8d

Divine young woman in towel commercial (5)

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10d

Panic spread beginning in economy, a turbulent flight? (13)

Generating...

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

anagram (turbulent) of PANIC SPREAD + first letter of ECONOMY + A

15d

A bit of skin cook sliced off sounds attractive (9)

flowerflowerflower
17d

Sphinxlike features Oscar saw cut in step (5,4)

Generating...

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

O (Oscar) + KERF (saw cut) in PACE Thankfully I was able to get this without knowing KERF.

18d

Round of applause a little generous (8)

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21d

Monster logically following that capsized ship (6)

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22d

What rambler does having lost new waterproof boot (5)

Generating...

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

WANDER – N

24d

Female dressing, a stone lighter (5)

flowerflowerflower