Times Cryptic #29171

2025-03-07

Solve on Times →

Across

1a

Message from above heralded by 100 saucer-shaped craft? (7)

Generating...

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

ORACLE (message from above), starting with (heralded by) C (100).

5a

Bowman's instrument for withdrawing arrows (5)

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9a

Admit wrongdoing by publisher binding opponents in contract (3,2)

Generating...

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

OUP (Oxford University Press, publisher) containing (binding) W and N (West and North, opponents in (contract) bridge).

10a

Disgusting ruling backed up boards (9)

Generating...

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

REGNANT (ruling), in which reversed (backed) UP is contained (boards).

11a

Wrong of church to take possession of flat (7)

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12a

Battle-axe catching old cavalryman (7)

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13a

Assortment of bread enclosed in oriental dishes (10)

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15a

Winger's going over for try (4)

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18a

One of A to G? Yes and no (4)

Generating...

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

yes = one of the notes A to G; no = no ‘te’ (a note from the sol fa scale), or more likely NOT E (see comments).

20a

Irish, making a comeback in tight match, tie 1-1? (10)

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23a

Mirrors used for inspecting upscale complex (7)

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24a

Irrational learner driver threatening person on the road to Canterbury? (7)

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25a

Loose articles of French clothing shed (9)

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26a

Clergyman's piece making a considerable impression in sermon (5)

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27a

Little finger stained by pen on page (5)

Generating...

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

INKY (stained by pen) on P (page). My LOI, on account of putting in STUPM earlier, which took at least 5 minutes to notice.

28a

Frost's never receding with temperature by turn of year coming back down (2-5)

Generating...

Down

1d

Detour in forceit's marked by cones (7)

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2d

One releasing locks to allow access to tower? (8)

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3d

Unit that is led by mounted police no longer active (5)

Generating...

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

IE (that is) preceded (led) by the reversal of (mounted) RUC (police no longer active). Unit of radioactivity.

4d

Broadcast of next episode having turned out so timely (9)

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5d

Party drugs a turn-up for the books? The opposite (3-3)

Generating...
6d

Take over again on parking in a small spot (7)

Generating...

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

RE (on), then P (parking) in A DOT (small spot).

7d

Revolutionary is fool to back strike action (3-2)

Generating...
8d

My order turned up around noon from North Africa (8)

Generating...

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

COR (my) + OM (Order of Merit, order) all reversed (turned up), then CA (around) + N (noon).

14d

Lift installed by minder who's taken over running the estate? (9)

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16d

Attractive person keeping company with maiden (8)

Generating...

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

BEING (person), containing (keeping) CO (company) and M (maiden).

17d

India allowed to detain politician without need for express statement (8)

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19d

Senator charged for attempting to overthrow government? (7)

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21d

Extremists in theory oversaw New York's oppressive system (7)

Generating...

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

first and last letters (extremists) in TheorY + RAN (oversaw) + NY (New York).

22d

Parisian who cut a piece of cake is feeling sick (6)

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23d

Part of wicket test umpire checks (5)

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24d

Animal expert spending time chasing water bug (5)

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